The Aquarium Adviser
Aquarium

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Aquarium

A freshwater biotope aquarium with driftwood and dark water.
Aquarium

Blackwater Aquarium Setup: Botanicals, pH, and Fish

A practical guide to blackwater aquarium setup botanicals fish, covering setup, routine care, compatibility, testing, and common mistakes.

Photo by Ewkaa on Openverse (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Glassware used for water testing in a laboratory.
Aquarium

Aquarium Test Strips vs Liquid Kits: What to Use

A practical guide to aquarium test strips vs liquid test kits, covering setup, routine care, compatibility, testing, and common mistakes.

Photo by Seattle Municipal Archives on Openverse (CC BY 2.0)

A community of tropical freshwater fish swimming in a planted aquarium
Aquarium

How Long Can Fish Go Without Food? A Vacation Survival Guide

Most healthy adult aquarium fish can safely go 1-2 weeks without food. Here is how long different species can last, which fish you should not leave unfed, and how to feed your tank while you are away.

Photo by Tahir mq on Openverse (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Freshwater aquarium fish near the water surface, a common sign of nitrite poisoning and gill oxygen stress
Aquarium

Nitrite Poisoning in Fish: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Nitrite poisoning is a distinct, oxygen-blocking toxicity, not just another nitrogen cycle chemical, and it can kill fish within 24 to 48 hours. Here is how to spot the symptoms, treat it immediately, and get nitrite back to a safe 0 ppm.

Photo by tranchristopher5 on Openverse (CC BY 2.0)

Siphoning water out of a freshwater aquarium during a routine water change
Aquarium

How Often Should You Do a Water Change? Freshwater Aquarium Schedule Guide

Wondering how much water to change and how often? Here's the standard weekly percentage for freshwater tanks, plus when to change more, less, or not at all.

Photo by Benson Kua on Openverse (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A hobbyist testing aquarium water with a liquid test kit to check ammonia levels
Aquarium

Ammonia Poisoning in Fish: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It Fast

A practical emergency guide to spotting ammonia poisoning in fish early and treating it fast, plus the everyday habits that prevent spikes from happening again.

Photo by Genista on Openverse (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Freshwater betta fish swimming in a planted aquarium
Fish

Aquarium Salt for Freshwater Fish: Uses, Dosage, and Safety

Aquarium salt is a useful tonic and mild treatment for freshwater fish, but the wrong dose or the wrong species can do harm. Here is how to use it safely.

Photo by h080 on Openverse (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Tropical community fish swimming in a freshwater aquarium
Fish

How to Acclimate New Aquarium Fish: Float and Drip Methods

Adding fish straight from the bag can kill them through temperature and pH shock. Here is how to acclimate new aquarium fish safely with the float and drip methods.

Photo by scazon on Openverse (CC BY 2.0)

Planted freshwater aquarium aquascape with green live plants
Aquarium

How to Lower Nitrates in a Freshwater Aquarium (7 Proven Ways)

High nitrates stress fish and fuel algae. Here are seven reliable ways to bring nitrate levels down in a freshwater aquarium and keep them there.

Photo by Chris Penny on Openverse (CC BY 2.0)