Author name: Nic Hsu

The majority of people want to have a substrate in their fish tank. It’s beautiful and serves to anchor the tank’s living plants at the bottom. It also serves as a source of nutrients for aquatic plants’ roots, as well as a place for fish to burrow and hide. Can you put decorative sand in […]

At the local river, you notice many gorgeous plants. You consider taking some of these home to put in your freshwater tank. It will provide better cover for your beloved finned friends. Why shouldn’t you take a couple? They’re good enough for this environment, right? But is it possible to put river plants into an

Angelfish are docile fish with a lot of positive qualities. They swim slowly and gracefully, are a colorful addition to your aquarium, and keep to themselves. Their solitary nature leaves many aquarium owners wondering whether angelfish can be kept alone. Do angelfish need to be kept in pairs? Yes, they are solitary fish, but they

The betta, also known as the Betta splendens or Siamese fighting fish, is a strikingly gorgeous freshwater fish hailing from Southeast Asia. One of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby, the betta is a carnivorous fish that will need more than just fish flakes for a balanced diet. If your betta is in

One of the hidden trials of aquarium keeping is mastering the mysterious nitrogen cycle. If you toss fish into an uncycled tank, they’ll be fine for a while, before the ammonia created by their own waste overwhelms them. Lucky for us, the nitrogen cycle, and the nitrifying bacteria it comprises, absorb that ammonia, making the

Java moss is a favorite of aquarium hobbyists, beloved for its ability to tolerate a number of different substrates and environments. This moss makes a perfect living carpet for planted tanks, will grow on nearly any object, and is almost impervious to harm. Sounds like the perfect plant, right? The only thing that could make

Finding a pet-friendly hotel, boarder, or pet sitter for a cat or dog is one thing, but it’s significantly harder when you need to leave for a period of time and need someone to watch your fish.  With tetras being one of the most common freshwater fish in the hobby, more and more fish enthusiasts

In a planted take, there is no plant more useful than a floating plant. These free-floating greens don’t need to be planted and take all of their nutrients from the water, sucking up nitrates that would otherwise be used by annoying algae.  There are dozens of floating plants that suit a freshwater aquarium, but one