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Beginner Guides

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Quick Picks: Aquarium Sump Filter DIY Guide

Quick Picks: Aquarium Sump Filter DIY Guide

A sump filter is the single most effective filtration upgrade you can make to a serious aquarium. By relocating filtration equipment to a separate compartment below the display tank, a sump dramatically increases total water volume, hides u

Jordan Hayes May 6, 2026
Quick Picks: Best Nano Aquarium Starter Kits

Quick Picks: Best Nano Aquarium Starter Kits

The best thing to happen to fishkeeping in the past decade is the rise of quality nano aquarium starter kits. Gone are the days when setting up a small tank meant hunting down a separate filter, light, heater, and lid from four different ma

Jordan Hayes May 5, 2026
Why Trust Our Picks

Why Trust Our Picks

The gold-standard aquarium water conditioner that dechlorinates, detoxifies ammonia and nitrite, and supports slime coat — all in a highly concentrated formula.

Jordan Hayes May 5, 2026
Why Trust Our Picks

Why Trust Our Picks

A whisper-quiet sine wave powerhead delivering variable flow up to 5,300 GPH with a compact magnetic mount — ideal for reef and larger planted tanks.

Jordan Hayes May 5, 2026
Quick Picks: Best Aquarium Canister Filters — 2026

Quick Picks: Best Aquarium Canister Filters — 2026

Our team has run canister filters on a variety of tank setups — from 20-gallon planted tanks to 125-gallon community systems — over extended testing periods of three to six months. We evaluate flow rate consistency, noise levels, media capa

Jordan Hayes May 5, 2026
Aquarium UV Sterilizer Guide

Aquarium UV Sterilizer Guide

TL;DR: An aquarium UV sterilizer eliminates free-floating algae cells, pathogens, and suspended bacteria by exposing tank water to germicidal UV-C light (254 nm). It won't fix nutrient problems, but it's the fastest tool for clearing green

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026
Nano Aquarium Setup Guide

Nano Aquarium Setup Guide

TL;DR: Nano aquariums (2.5–20 gallons) succeed or fail on filtration quality and stocking discipline. Overstock by even one fish and ammonia spikes before you can react. Get the cycle right, choose nano-appropriate species, and a 10-gallon

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026
Ich Fish Disease Treatment Guide

Ich Fish Disease Treatment Guide

TL;DR: Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) is treatable in freshwater with heat + salt or copper-based medication. Raise temperature to 86°F for 10+ days and add 1–2 tbsp aquarium salt per 5 gallons to disrupt the parasite lifecycle. Only fr

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026
Fish Quarantine Tank Setup: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Fish Quarantine Tank Setup: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

TL;DR: A fish quarantine tank setup requires only a bare-bottom 10–20 gallon tank, a sponge filter pre-seeded in your main tank, a heater, and a hiding spot. Run new fish through 4–6 weeks of observation before introduction. This single ste

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026
Aquarium Glass vs Acrylic

Aquarium Glass vs Acrylic

TL;DR: Glass tanks are cheaper, scratch-resistant, and won't yellow — ideal for most hobbyists. Acrylic is lighter, stronger under impact, and bends into custom shapes but scratches easily and costs 2–3x more. For standard rectangular setup

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026
Fish Tank Cycling Beginner Guide

Fish Tank Cycling Beginner Guide

TL;DR: The nitrogen cycle converts fish-toxic ammonia → nitrite → nitrate via two bacterial genera. A properly cycled tank takes 4–8 weeks and requires zero fish deaths. This tutorial walks through the chemistry, the three cycling methods,

Jordan Hayes May 4, 2026