Hot Topics

Is it really necessary to use a dechlorinator? Is it one of those common but unnecessary additives for a planted aquarium?

Holes in leaves are often associated with nutrition deficiency.
And they might be. But a lot of the time, they are simply the victim of hungry fish and shrimp, what we call ‘herbivore damage’.

If your plants don't seem to be able to survive for long in your aquarium, one reason might be that these are not aquatic plants in the first place. Or rather, these plants need to grow emersed (i.e partially submerged) and cannot survive permanently under water. We cover 3 common plants in this category.

In using wood in an aquarium is it a good idea to soak the wood prior to use? What happens when wood is submerged in water?

Is deeper substrate a problem? Why are many hobbyists concerned over deep substrate, and what to look out for.

A small breakdown of how we set up a planted CRS shrimp tank. Includes plant and equipment choices, and pictures of how the hardscape was constructed.

Floating plants are popular and can be beautiful (and useful) to have in a planted tank. So why do we need to be so careful with them?

Do plants absorb nutrients from their leaves? How does it matter to planted aquariums?

Are water changes really necessary? Does it matter how much water I change and how much is too much?

HC refers to Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba', sometimes also called dwarf baby tears. MC refers to Micranthemum 'monte carlo’. Both are common and popular. However while they look quite similar, they are actually vastly different.

With so many test kits on the market, what should you focus on for a planted tank? We go into our Top 3 choices.

Is stronger flow always better in a planted tank? Is there such thing as too much flow? What are the downsides of having excessive flow?

Performing a major tank reset or revamp can be a daunting task. We share 3 useful hacks to make the project easier.

What is an easy-to-grow red plant that can also add a dash of festive color?

Plant melt is both common and frustrating. Why do plants melt and what can we do to avoid it?

How to get Rotala rotundifolia redder? Interestingly, less can be more in this case.

Do aquatic plants flower underwater? Is flowering a sign of good health? Which plants can I grow that will flower easily in my aquarium?

The most deceptive thing about light is that it can appear bright to the human eye but not actually be strong enough to grow plants. This is a function of how our eyes perceive different wavelengths, vis a vis the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) that plants use for photosynthesis.

The common 'simple fish tank' seems to conform to a standard basic setup that works. While it can indeed function, it is also ironically the hard way to maintain a thriving, algae-free tank. This is why.

While 2Hr Tanks are known for their resilience against algae, but there are still occasions where we face algae problems. We share an example of a tank that was planted prematurely- before proper cycling.