I often get asked why I keep all of my home aquariums at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep some colder water fish, but the reason why I choose to spend money on a heater for my fish tank is pretty simple.
How To Set Up A Sponge Filter
While setting up a sponge filter is easy, If you have no idea what you're looking at, it can be confusing! Luckily, I show you the easiest ways to set both types of sponge filters up, and how to modify them!
How To Clean A Sponge Filter
Cleaning a sponge filter is a super easy chore! I show you how I clean my sponge filters.
The Secret To Treat Bacterial Infections From A Catfish Expert! | Charlie Mueller
The Sacramento Aquarium Society was excited to host Charlie Mueller, who gave a presentation entitled, “Experiences and Breeding of Whiptail Catfish," discussing his personal experiences with maintaining and breeding some of the “whiptail” catfish of South America.
Learn More About The Sacramento Aquarium Society!
http://www.sacramentoaquariumsociety.info/
https://www.facebook.com/Sacramento-Aquarium-Society-107773982604147/
Python Water Changing System | How To Use It And Review
Today, I go over how to use the Python water change system, and give you my review on it. It's a great system to use to change the water in your home aquarium, without the need to carry buckets around everywhere.
Buy The Python Water Change System Here: https://amzn.to/2s3At0p (Amazon Affiliate Link)
How To Clean Aquaclear Filter Impellers
I woke up one day to my Aquaclear 110 filter not working... After some investigation, I discovered that my impeller was very dirty. Lots of people have asked me how to disassemble and clean their aquaclears, so I figured this was the perfect time to show it!
Seachem Prime Vs Safe Water Dechlorinator Review
Seachem Prime is one of the most popular dechlorinators on the market. But did you know that Seachem makes a powder form? It’s cheaper, and treats way more water!
Both Prime and Safe Dechlorinate water and make ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate non-toxic. Safe does not treat heavy metals, while prime does.
Prime is only $10, and treats 60,000 gallons! The biggest downside is it is so concentrated, that it can be hard to dose smaller tanks. Luckily, every 1/4 teaspoon treats 300 gallons, which makes division easy.
I’d highly recommend safe for tanks 40 gallons and bigger if you want to save some cash!
Fritz Glass And Acrylic Cleaner Review
First off… I LOVE this product from Fritz.
I was like many others, and used a diluted White Vinegar mixture or Windex to clean my aquarium glass. Vinegar, while it worked, left a lot to be desired. Windex can be deadly to your fish if you’re not extra careful.
Fritz Glass And Acrylic Cleaner has a couple of huge pros:
It’s Ammonia Free and Aquarium Safe.
It leave a protective layer that prevents fingerprints, water spots, and dust.
It’s leaves your glass polished and feeling super smooth.
I highly recommend this product to anyone with an aquarium.
Buy It Here:
Aquarium Co-op: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/products...
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TmFU4o
Best Way To Clean Algae For $0 05!
Algae looks horrible on the front glass of your aquarium! Most people use a algae scraper, a mag float, or a razor blade. This solution is cheaper, easier, and faster!
Bricks of foam! A specific foam actually! The same foam as a Mr Clean Magic Eraser!
Buy them here! https://amzn.to/2DIn4xM
How To Care For Marimo Moss Balls
What is a Marimo Moss Ball?
A Marimo Moss Ball isn’t actually a moss! Marimo Moss Balls are actually a cylindrical algae from the colder waters of Japan and Iceland. They grow about 5mm a year and can last 100+ years
How to “refresh” Marimo Moss Balls
Step 1: Remove from your tropical aquarium
Step 2: Clean Them
I usually fill a container with tank water or clean dechlorinated water and squeeze them and roll them.
Step 3: Dump the water, and fill the container with fresh dechlorinated water
Step 4: Stick in your fridge
Some people leave them in the fridge for a few hours, some overnight, some for a few days.
Step 5: Place back in tank!
That’s it! Now you have fresh, dark green, healthy Marimo Moss Balls in your tropical aquarium!
How To Do Easy Water Changes For Less Than $20!
How To Set Up A Quarantine Fish Tank! (And Why You NEED To)
Quarantine tanks can be a pretty controversial topic among fish keepers. Some swear by them, others swear against them, and some don’t even know what they are. Today, I’ll go over why I quarantine my fish, some various techniques used, and what I use.
Why You Should Quarantine Your Fish:
I think the biggest reason for quarantining your fish is preventing the spread of disease. You don’t want to bring a new fish home that has parasites, fungus, or whatever else and have it spread to your other fish. Even if you have “cheap” tetras, guppies, or a similar common fish, loosing an entire tank of them can add up, and can add up to even more if you are trying to cure it with medication. Some medications can also kill plants, or even your cycle. Not to mention, medicine is much cheaper in a 10 gallon quarantine than something like a 40 or even 75 gallon tank.
Length Of Quarantine:
I personally do a 30 day quarantine. I have seen some that quarantine for 6 months, and some as little as 7 days. This kind of depends on your comfort level, and the type of fish you keep. Most common diseases will appear in 1-3 weeks, but some parasites and internal issues can take a few months to show up.
Medication Techniques:
There are two major techniques used when it comes to medication. Some people will not treat the fish, but will just watch them, and only treat for things that they see. The second technique is medicating your fish right off the bat. The popular medication used for this is API’s General Cure, API’s Erythromycin, and Hikari’s Ich-X. This technique was made popular by Cory of Aquarium Co Op. I use to use the former technique, but switched to the later after noticing I had a significant drop in sudden and random deaths.
Equipment Needed:
Something That Holds Water
I have seen QT tanks using everything from tuba ware containers to 5 gallon buckets to storage bins to ice coolers to actual aquariums. As long as it holds water, you should be good to go.
A Filter (usually)
Some people choose not to use a filter on their QT setup. Usually, the argument is that they are changing 50% of water daily (again, lots of techniques) so they don’t need a cycled tank. The problem that I have with it, is lots of medications require leaving them in the tank for a few days, and redosing medication runs up the price of treatment. My filter of choice is a Aquaclear of the appropriate size (I use a 20 on my 5.5), as I run Aquaclears on my other tanks and always have spare media to cycle a QT tank. It allows me to not have to run a sponge filter all of the time in another tank. An option I have been looking at is a box filter, as I would still be able to use my media, but could eliminate the need for an air stone and eliminate the need for that plug.
ADJUSTABLE Heater and Thermometer
Next up is an adjustable heater. I like to treat Ich with Heat, so my QT tanks tend to sit around 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover
Lots of fish are skidish, or they need to have something to break the line of site in case aggression happens. I use PVC Pipes, elbows, etc. Plastic plants will work to, but may be harder to clean.
Air Pump and Air Stone
I like to have one on hand. Oxygen levels decrease with an increase in temperature, and you don’t want your fish to die from lack of oxygen. Some medications can also do this. You can skip the air stone if you’re using a box filter or sponge filter, as it does the same thing.
Lid and Lights
This is technically not needed, but I run it. I like to be able to see my fish so I can check for ich, fungas, etc. I also don’t want my fish to jump out (or my cats reaching their paws in).
SEPARATE EQUIPMENT
You’ll need a separate net, water siphon, buckets, etc for each QT tank. disease can spread in a single drop of water.
Good luck on your QT tank! Let me know if you have any questions!
How To Use An API Freshwater Master Test Kit And Why You NEED To Test Your Water
If you don’t have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit, I’d highly recommend getting one. This tool will allow you to know what is going on in your aquarium, and can also help with your water changes.
Another tool I recommend getting would be 5-10mL syringes, so you don’t have to dip your tubes in the water.
Lot’s of people have trouble using this kit (It’s not hard, it just has to be done a specific way), so watching this video I test my water on camera so you can see the process.