Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Be a Socially Involved Hobbyist!

Editor's Note: this post introduces our newest contributing & well traveled author, Vince Tang.

One of the most important element to positively approach this hobby is to get in contact with people. If you haven't realize this yet, everything we do is basically communicating with fellow hobbyist. Make friends with fish store owners, other local hobbyist, importers/ exporters, fellow forum members, fish book author, and the list goes on and on. It doesn't hurt to have one more friend on this world, right?

Water Changes - They're Awesome!

The most important husbandry practice and the best way to insure the health of your fish and invertebrates is also one of the most simple: regular water changes!  I feel that water changes are an underrated, especially with all of the  filters and gadgets now available to aquarists.  However, water changes still remain the #1 way to improve water quality, and to maintain low dissolved organic compounds (DOCs). 

Are You Prepared?

Last year, many citizens of the southern US were mildly to severely affected by the hurricane activity that took place there this summer, including ourselves.  We were forced to evacuate twice for both Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike (leaving our large aquariums behind) and were without power for two weeks in our place of refuge (120 miles away from the coast!) after hurricane Ike. 

Both of our nano aquariums survived two weeks without power, and I’d like to share how I accomplished this, and what I learned.  I hope that you can learn from and apply the knowledge from this article, whether your power outage lasts two hours or two weeks!

Your First Nature Aquarium [Part II]

This is a continuation of Your First Nature Aquarium [Part I]; click here to catch up.

From this point you should already have you tank cleaned and prepared for this step.  You want to place your tank in the location you want it to be permanently, it is really difficult to move a tank once it is finally set up.

Photo of the Week 5-25

Staghorn coral on the Belize Barrier reef.  Click for the full sized version!

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The “common Plecostomus.” Is it right for you?

At some point in our freshwater careers we all have to make the decision on whether or not to add a Plecostomus to a fish tank.  Before you do, there are some things to take into consideration  that the pet store information card won’t tell you.  Here are five things about the so-called “common pleco” that I consider important.

The Not-So-Giant Clam: Tridacna crocea

Editor's Note: this post introduces Brandon Klaus, a marine biologist and reef aquarium enthusiast kind enough to write for the Captive Aquatics Blog. 

The Tridacna crocea clam, also called the boring clam, is the smallest of the "giant clam" species. It reaches a maximum length of about 6" (15 cm) and is often found in large groups on hard substrates.

Your First Nature Aquarium [Part I]

Freshwater aquariums have definitely changed since I was little.  I remember the "cool" looking tank consisted of fake neon plants, bright colored gravel and funny skeletons that moved.  (At least I thought it was cool!)

Today's current trend is now the nature aquarium, presenting a landscape cut straight out of a river or pond.  These tanks look picturesque with their live plants, natural gravel and flowing landscapes.  I have set up many of these tanks and wanted to show you how you can set up your own in a three part series.  The extra great aspect of this step by step set up is that will allow an easy to follow guide for nature aquarium beginners.

Mantis Shrimp: Pest Or Pet?

There is a lot of debate about mantis shrimp. Most people view them as ugly pests, who maim and destroy everything else in the aquarium they sneak in to. Others, (including myself) enjoy keeping this interestting creature in its own aquarium. To better understand these two radically different view points, you have to better understand the animal itself.

Product Review: AquaEuro 135 Protein Skimmer

What if I told you that you could get a simply designed, high quality in-sump protein skimmer rated for 135 gallons (and possibly under-rated by the manufacturer) that skimmed incredibly well with both wet and dry foam for under $200, and was easy to clean to boot?  I wouldn't believe me, either, but that was before I was lucky enough to review AquaEuro USA's Classic 135 protein skimmer!