Tip of the Day – 5/20/2012
When gearing up for a water change, it’s best to fill the container completely with freshwater before adding salt. The reason for this is the fact that if you put too much salt in a small volume of water, parameters will be so out of whack that you’ll likely get calcium precipitation and deposits on [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/18/2012
It may be fun purchasing up all sorts of inexpensive aquarium livestock when first setting everything up, but keep in mind what these purchases will be like a year or more down the road. For example, damselfish are very popular among new aquarists. They are very hardy, and are often quite colorful and entertaining to [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/17/2012
Although our hobby is composed of a diverse array of people who don’t have a scientific background, it’s still a good idea to familiarize yourself with simple biological and ecological terms and concepts. Sure, you could get by with knowing just the common names of your fish and what they like to eat. After all, [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/16/2012
Bubble algae, of the Valonia variety, can be more than an interesting green bulb growing on the side of your coral frag or on the rocks. It can actually be a ruthless nuisance algae that becomes impossible to get rid of. As its name suggests, this type of algae grows in small bubble-like structures that [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/15/2012
Chocolate chip starfish, for all intensive purposes, are not aquarium safe. They may look cute and harmless, often sitting on the glass and staying away from other aquarium livestock. Unfortunately, these starfish can develop an insatiable appetite for more expensive animals almost over night. Like most opportunistic stars with an endless stomach, the chocolate chip [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/14/2012
Let’s face it, as seasoned aquarium hobbyists, we’re still not always prepared for every little hiccup. A lot of the time, we find ourselves forgetting little things that can have a big impact. For example, if you slack on topping off the water in the sump, the return pump could run dry. When this happens, [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/13/2012
Even though that trusty protein skimmer, refractometer, or pH probe have been working flawlessly for months, it’s still a good idea to break down these and other pieces of equipment for regular maintenance or recalibration. Chances are there is nothing wrong with any of these items, but preventative maintenance can prevent a problem from ever [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/11/2012
When you’re on the hunt for the next piece of aquarium equipment or livestock, try to choose the store or online retailer with the best reputation as opposed to the best price. Too many times, hobbyists looking for the best deal or simply trying to alleviate some of the financial pressures of owning a reef [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/10/2012
An aquarium out in the open floor where you can walk around it may seem like a great idea at the time it’s dreamt up, but there are a few things about these tanks that may make them not so fun anymore. For starters, they are in the way. Instead of being tucked away in a corner [...]
Tip of the Day – 5/9/2012
Got old aquarium equipment laying around that’s too good to be thrown away, but not quite current enough to catch anyone’s eye on the local aquarium forum classifieds? Why not donate the equipment to a young aquariumkeeper who has a passion for this hobby but can’t quite afford it. As long as the equipment functions [...]
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