Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Tip: Vitamin Supplements

 Proper nutrition is very important for the long term health of all fish.  In my case, I am particularly concerned about the long term health of my Map Puffer, one of my prized marine carnivores.  I feed my puffer and other carnivores a wide variety of frozen seafood from the grocery store, frozen formula diets, and occasionally freeze-dried foods.  Although freeze-dried foods should never account for more than about 25% of a carnivore's diet, they are excellent ways to deliver vitamins (and medications) to your fish!

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). 

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.

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.

Four ways to get a cheap tank!

Got the aquarium bug?  Have to urge to keep fish?  Then don't run to the nearest pet store and spend over $200 on new equipment, find a deal instead!  Here is a list of 4 different ways to find the perfect aquarium for your house and wallet.

1.  Join a Forum:  Forums are great places to meet people whom love keeping aquariums and people who are constantly trying to get rid of old aquariums.  You can easily find a slightly used aquarium of any shape or size that will cost you less than what you would pay if you bought it from the store.  I personally have found aquariums greater than 400 gallons selling for less than $800 that include stands, canopies and equipment!

2.  Search "Mom & Pop" Pet Stores:  The "Mom & Pop" pet store is always trying to make a deal.  You can easily find aquariums that have small leaks, scratches or just need some TLC that you can easily (and cheaply) provide.

3.  Garage Sales:  Everyone at some point in time had a ten gallon tank and want to get rid of it now.  Many people list aquariums in garage sales that are dirt cheap and usually have only been used once.  With this deal you can easily obtain everything for your aquarium (pumps, fish food, filtration, lights).

4.  Craigslist:  Aquariums are always on craigslist, from $10 to $2000, you can find your perfect aquarium.  The only draw back is usually the distance the aquarium is from you (Houston is huge!) and that costs gas and time.  If you have an extra three or four hours you can spare to pick up an aquarium, go for it!

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How to Care for Carpet Anemones

 Stichodactyla spp anemones, otherwise known as carpet anemones, are fascinating creatures, and are highly sought after by hobbyists but have very specific care requirements.  Carpet anemones are very challenging to maintain in the home aquarium, and few hobbyists are able to attain long term success.  After caring for my own carpet anemones for the last few years, I’d like to offer my insight into these fascinating and beautiful anemones, and try to point out why aquarists so often fail to maintain these animals in the long (and short) term, and better prepare you for success.

The Saltwater Newbie - The Unexpected

When you own a fish and have no real knowledge about them, anything they do can seem fantastic or out-of-the-ordinary. For example, when your Snowflake Eel ends up in the partitioned-off section of your tank that houses your pump; (Built in sump - Editor) it lends itself to a question: How the hell did you do that?

Why you should be involved in the aquarium hobby!

Editor's Note: this post introduces Dennis Wallace, our newest contributing author.  Dennis will be writing about freshwater & marine aquariums. 

Interested in shiny things? Spend hours staring at a wall and hoping the dots in your eyes aren't in fact caused by a brain tumor?  Answer yes to either of these questions?  If so, you could be the ideal aquarist!

Protein Skimmers: 3 reasons why you need one today!

Protein skimmers (also know as Foam Fractionators) are virtually essential pieces of hardware for saltwater aquariums, and here are three reasons you shouldn't be without one:

1)  Protein skimmers remove 1/3rd of all organic waste from the water column

2)  Protein skimmers are very effective at adding O2 and improving water quality

3)  Protein skimmers reduce nuisance microalgae

Stay tuned for Captive Aquatics Blog's skimmer reviews!

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Nano Reef Aquariums, as easy as 1, 2, 3! [Part 3]

 Part 3 of 3 of April's feature: Nano Reef Aquariums.  If you haven't already, read part one and part two first!

Part 3:  Water Quality

Water quality is an important issue in the nano reef aquarium.  With such a small water volume, you're going to have to keep on top of your maintenance if you want to keep a healthy reef. 

Large weekly water changes of at least 1/3rd of the volume of the tank (preferably 1/2 to all of it!) should be performed weekly (ensure the replacement water is the same temp/salinity).  When I first started keeping nano aquariums, I was having a lot of trouble maintaining proper water quality. I was using various additives, which would cause my water chemistry to go out of whack because of the small water volume, which would lead to more water chemistry problems, causing a never ending cycle!  I finally realized something so simple it should have occurred to me sooner: stop using additives, and just stick to water changes! Weekly water changes of 50-75% are highly recommended to remove wastes and replace trace elements and calcium.  Chemical supplements/additives are both not recommended and not necessary in a nano reef. 

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