Water Quality

Phosphate in Fish Ponds & Tanks

test phosphate in fish ponds

There are many water quality parameters we test in order to determine fish health and many owners can be confused by the phosphate test included in many test kit packages. What does phosphate in fish ponds and tanks indicate for the health of your pond environment? What is phosphate? Scientifically-put, phosphate is the combination of

5 Ways to Conserve Water in Fish Ponds During a Drought

a pond filled with lots of water lilies.

**Post contains affiliate links.** Here in California, we are well aware of water restrictions. Keeping a large pond can make it hard to keep within our water budget and scrimping on pond water can have severe consequences for you fish. Here are our best tips to keep your fish happy and conserve water during a

How to Keep Your Fish Cool

keep fish cool under umbrella

**Post contains affiliate links.** We’re in the midst of some crazy temperatures right now and we have a lot of fish owners concerned about their elevated water temperatures. Here are some tips to keep your fish cool when temperatures rise. Why is water temperature important for fish? Remember that fish are ectotherms, meaning their body

How to Test Fish Tank Water Quality in 8 Easy Steps

how to test fish tank water

**Post contains affiliate links.** So, hopefully you know by now how important water quality is to the health and wellbeing of your fish. But how does one go about actually testing your fish tank water quality? We’ll walk you through each step on how to test fish tank water to give the best results. Step

Best Water Source for Fish Tanks and Ponds

best source water for fish tank

When filling up your pond or tank, what is the best water source to use? For most systems, standard tap water is perfectly fine for most pet fish species. However, some fish are a bit more particular about their water and can get very ill if special attention is not applied to their source water.

What happens to a koi pond in rain?

koi pond in rain

Being exposed to the elements, a koi pond in rain can be open to many environmental changes. As long as you plan ahead and have a good grasp of your water quality, there is no reason to worry. If you are not familiar with a koi pond in rainy conditions, be sure to read on!

How to Fix Poor Water Quality

how to fix a pool water quality system.

So, you’ve tested your water and found something off. Or maybe you’ve noticed a small slide in your previous recordings. How should you fix poor water quality without making things worse? Ammonia Too High This is the most common problems in most fish setups. As the primary fish waste, high levels indicate your filtration hasn’t

Water Quality Ranges

fish tank water quality

Here are the water quality ranges for the most common types of pet fish. Click here to find water quality requirements for more exotic fish species. Goldfish (indoors & outdoors) Water Quality Ranges Parameter Range Ammonia ≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm) Nitrite 0 mg/L Nitrate < 20 mg/L pH 6.5-9.0 kH (alkalinity) > 100 mg/L gH

Water Quality Conundrums – Answers

a desk with a box of fresh water and other medical supplies.

Before you scroll down, make sure you take the time to read over our questions first! Problem 1: 50-gallon goldfish tank Parameter Value Ammonia 3 mg/L Nitrite 0 mg/L Nitrate 0 mg/L pH 4.5 kH 0 mg/L Temperature 70 F Answers to Problem 1: What are your main concerns? Ammonia too high, pH too low

Water Quality Conundrums

a desk with a box of fresh water and other medical supplies.

Since we all have more time on our hands at home, we thought we’d do something a little bit different. Below are 5 water quality results. It is up to you to determine what the issues are, name the syndrome, if present, and how to correct the results to make them safe for fish! You

System Deep Cleaning – Fish Warning

a group of fish swimming in a blue pool.

** This page contains affiliate links that make us a little $$ from our recommendations. It does not change your pricing. ** Many systems can benefit from a deep cleaning once a year or twice a year. In order to get in there and get all the muck out, some owners and maintenance companies will

Best Fish Tank Filter

fish filters

How do you choose the best fish tank filter? There are two main types of filters you can use on your aquarium – hang-on and canister. No matter what type you choose, remember the all important point – NEVER REPLACE YOUR FILTER MEDIA!! Hang-On Filters These filters come in a variety of layers, shapes and

Using Salt in Fish Tanks and Ponds

fish pond treatments

** This page contains affiliate links where we get a small percentage of your purchase for our recommendations. ** When is using salt in fish tanks and ponds beneficial and how does it affect your fish? Salt is a normal component of many fish systems. Saltwater and brackish systems require salt on a continual basis.

New Tank Syndrome

a line graph with different types of energy.

The biggest hurdle for new fish owners is New Tank Syndrome. When you set up a new fish tank for the first time, there are a few things you can expect to happen that can severely impact your fish’s survival. With a brand new filter, your nitrogen cycle has not been established. It will take

How To Setup A New Fish Tank

a drawing of a woman sitting at a table with a cat.

Ready to get started? Join along with our Boo & Bubbles characters to see how to setup a new fish tank! Read through our check list to make sure you have everything you need to start! After you setup a new fish tank successfully, all you have to do is keep up with your maintenance,

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The Top 10 Mistakes Fish Owners Make

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Top 10 Mistakes