Category: Hygger Aquarium Official Blog

As one of the freshwater ornamental goldfish, fat goldfish features a unique appearance. They are usually naturally fat. Also, fat goldfish can grow well with proper care. In today’s article, we will share how to care for fat goldfish and how many fat goldfish are in the aquarium. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Fat goldfish

Fat goldfish are not a separate species. Featuring a rounded body, fat goldfish are also called chubby goldfish or jumbo goldfish. Next, we will list some naturally fat goldfish, such as Ryukin goldfish, Oranda goldfish, Lion head goldfish, Ranchu goldfish, and Bubble eye goldfish.

Naturally fat goldfish	Ryukin goldfish	Oranda goldfish	Lion head goldfish
Family	Cyprinidae	Cyprinidae	Cyprinidae
Temper	Peaceful with semi-aggressive	Peaceful	Peaceful
Adult Size	6–8 inches	8–12 inches	5–8 inches
Lifespan	10–15 years	8–15 years	10–15 years
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore	Omnivore
Min tank size	10 gallons	20–30 gallons	10 gallons

How do tell if the fat goldfish is healthy

Commonly, you can tell whether fat goldfish is healthy or not according to fish behavior. The table below gives you some pointers.

Normal behavior (healthy fat goldfish)	Abnormal behavior (unhealthy fat goldfish)
1. Active & Swim and explore in the tank	1. Lethargy
2. Eat regularly and have a great appetite	2. Loss of appetite
3. Search for food at the substrate	3. Stay at the bottom of the tank
	4. Gasp air on the water surface
	5. Clamped fins
	6. Constant hiding
	7. Abnormal swimming (e.g. swimming upside down)

Take care of fat goldfish

Requirements of living environment

Though fat goldfish possess great adaptability, they are sensitive to sudden changes in living conditions. Plus, adult goldfish can survive in slightly acidic or alkaline and even neutral aquarium water. But they do best in slightly alkaline water. Below are some general living environment requirements for most fat goldfish.

• Ideal water temperature: 65-75℉
• pH level: 6.5-7.5
• Ammonia level: 0 ppm
• Nitrite level: 0 ppm
• Nitrate level: Less than 40 ppm
• Hiding places: Necessary. Fat goldfish prefer to hide. For instance, hiding in rocks, caves, or aquatic plants.
• Tank size: You should keep fat goldfish in a 20-gallon tank at least.

Equipment to help keep the fat goldfish better

• Filter the water

Fat goldfish produce a lot of waste, thus, adding a great aquarium filter is necessary. Otherwise, your aquarium would get trapped in harmful conditions.

• Keep the aquarium water warm

As mentioned above, fat goldfish fancy a water temp ranging from 65℉ to 75℉. And they are sensitive to sudden and frequent water fluctuation. Hence, it is better to add an aquarium heater, which is helpful to keep consistent and stable water temperatures in your tanks.

• Maintain sufficient oxygen

To keep fat goldfish healthy, it is vital to maintain sufficient oxygen in the tank. In this case, adding an air pump is a great choice. It is beneficial to oxygenate aquarium water and expel excess carbon dioxide. Alternatively, an aeration strip kit is another excellent alternative. It can form a bubble curtain in your tank, while it can also improve the oxygen level.

Compatible tank mates

Most fat goldfish are peaceful, hence, it is feasible to keep them with other fish species. For example, you can keep Oranda goldfish, Ryukin goldfish, Lion head goldfish, Dragon eye goldfish, and Butterfly tail goldfish together. Aside from that, you can also keep fat goldfish with some tropical fish, such as White cloud mountain minnows, Platy fish, Zebra danios, Corydoras catfish, and Hill stream loach.

Fat goldfish diet

Fat goldfish are omnivores. The available food includes flakes, pellets, vegetables, brine shrimp, and other live or frozen food. Keep in mind – they need a variety of food and a balanced diet but never overfeed. Otherwise, it would lead to health issues. So, you’d better feed fat goldfish regularly and quantitatively. The followings are some tips about how often and how much to feed fat goldfish:

• Young fat goldfish: Feed them twice each day & make sure the goldfish will finish eating within 5 minutes
• Adult fat goldfish: Feed them once per day & make sure the goldfish will finish eating within 10 minutes

Daily maintenance

Clean water is critically crucial for fat goldfish. Do regular water changes and cleaning. For instance, change 30-50 percent of the water once per week. You can do it easily with the help of the gravel cleaner. A multi-function gravel vacuum cleaner can be used for water changes, fish gravel cleaning, and sand washing.

How many fat goldfish are in a 30-gallon aquarium

Leaving adequate room for fat goldfish to swim in your tank is necessary. Generally, the minimum tank size for one fat goldfish can be 20 gallons. For one additional fish, your tank should be 10 gallons larger than before. Next, we will cover some examples. Just take them as a reference.

Tank size	Recommended fat goldfish density
20 gallons	A single-fat goldfish
30 gallons	1-2 fat goldfish
40 gallons	2-3 fat goldfish
50 gallons	2-4 fat goldfish
75 gallons	3-5 fat goldfish
100 gallons	5-8 fat goldfish

Summary

In addition to naturally fat goldfish, other factors will make the goldfish chubby. For example, overfeeding, overcrowding, and poor water quality. As the goldfish get obese, it would lead to health problems, like swim bladder disorder, difficulty breathing, heart failure, decreased immunity, etc.

Learn more about goldfish

You can build a planted aquarium with the help of substrate, such as gravel, sand, and aquarium soil. Besides that, aquatic plants can also be planted on aquarium stones, rocks, etc. Then, what plants can be planted on aquarium stones or rocks, and how to do that? Until now, if you are curious about this topic, just read on and dive deeper into the world of aquatic plants for aquarium stones. Then you can learn more about aquarium aquatic plants. Let’s begin.

Aquatic plants

Adding aquatic plants can increase the ornamental values, while sometimes they can also improve the water quality. Before aquascaping an aquarium, it is better to design the layout and determine the foreground, midground, or background pants, etc. Plus, you can choose your plants according to the aquatic pets in your aquariums. Because there are heliophile plants and heliophobic plants, demanding diverse light intensity.

Exactly, most plants with roots need to be planted in the substrate. On the contrary, some plants can be planted on aquarium stones, rocks, wood, etc. For instance, moss and ferns. These plants can anchor to the object’s surface. Choose the available and favorite one according to the aquarium stones in your tank. Moreover, floating plants, like duckweed, can survive on the water’s surface.

What aquatic plants can be planted on aquarium stones

After takes a look at aquatic plants, let’s learn about some aquatic plants that can be planted on aquarium stones.

1. Moss

Moss can be planted on aquarium stones or wood. Just tie or glue it on the surface. Sounds easy and convenient, right? Also, moss grows fast and does not need specific care. But moss requires high light intensity.

2. Riccia fluitans

With the help of nylon mesh, it is feasible to plant Riccia fluitans on aquarium stones. However, you should be cautious with the density. Too dense would cause death. As one of the moss, Riccia fluitans can also grow fast. By the way, they need high light, too.

3. Anubias

While Anubias can be planted on gravel, they can also do well on aquarium stones and wood. Anubias are low-light plants and they grow slowly. They come in a surprising amount of subspecies. For example, Anubias Nana, Anubias Barteri, and Anubias Afzeli.

4. Java fern

Java ferns are easy to care for. They grow slowly and can survive in low-light environments. Also, they do not need additional carbon dioxide. If you want to plant large Java ferns on aquarium stones, you can ask the fishing line for help. It is easy to tie the plants to the stones. As for small ones, using instant gel is great.

5. Bucephalandra

As foreground or midground plants, Bucephalandra is not difficult to care for. It grows slowly and can be a great addition to low-light aquariums. Plus, it is no need to supply additional carbon dioxide. Bucephalandra is hardy, which makes it suitable for most tanks. If you want to dive deeper into Bucephalandra, you can read Practical Guide on How to Grow Bucephalandra Plant Emersed.

How to plant aquarium plants on rocks

In the last segment, some aquatic plants can be planted on aquarium stones. Then, how to plant the plants on rocks? Is it feasible? The brief and definitive answer is yes.

Generally, you can plant aquatic plants on rocks with the help of instant gel. Trim the plants to remove decaying parts first. Apply the gel to the surface of the rocks, then glue the plants to the gel. After that, you can add water to your tank. The water level should be over the height of rocks and plants. To be honest, planting plants on rocks with instant gel is easy to use and is feasible for most aquatic plants. Besides that, nylon mesh and fishing lines are other great tools.

Nonetheless, various rocks may be a little bit different. Take Seiryu stones as an example. They come in cyan with white veins, and it shapes like peaks. You can tie or glue the aquatic plants on the surface. In this case, Anubias and Moss are excellent options. In addition to Seiryu stones, there are other available aquarium stones for aquascaping. You can go to the related topics below to learn more. Aside from that, you can tie plants on Lava rocks with a fishing net, like Java fern. You should make sure that the plants should not loose.

In conclusion

To conclude, moss can be your first choice for planting aquatic plants on aquarium stones. And you can anchor them on stone surfaces with instant gel, fishing lines, nylon mesh, etc. Keep in mind – choose suitable plants according to the aquatic pets in your tank because of diverse light and living requirements.

That’s all for today. For additional ideas about aquatic plants that can be planted on aquarium stones, please feel free to share with us in the comments. Finally, thanks for reading and we hope this article helps. If you want to learn more about aquatic plants, you can go to the following topics.

Related topics of aquarium topics

As an air pump, a mechanical device to circulate water with electricity, can oxygenate the aquarium and expel excess carbon dioxide, the aquarium air bubbler aeration strip has its special purpose. In this article, we are going to talk about how the air bubbler aeration strip works in aquariums and its significance for aquariums. After reading, you will walk away with a much better understanding of the air bubble curtain in the tank. Rant over, let’s dive right in.

How air bubble curtain works

How air bubble curtain is created?

Air bubbler aeration strips can create attractive air bubble curtains in your fish tanks. Then how does it work? Just connect the bubble wand with an air pump of sufficient power. Then, place the bubble wand underwater and plug in the air pump. After that, an air bubble curtain can be created. Actually, it is the result that the air pump pumps the air to the bottom and the porous bubble wand produces bubbles.

Next, let’s take a quick look at an aquarium aeration strip kit, which consists of an aeration strip, air tube, silicone suction cups with rings, check valve, etc. Made of compressed aluminum oxide, the porous air bubble strip kit is a long and narrow white bar, which can produce dense and tiny bubbles. It helps to improve oxygen level and gas exchange by the following steps: after plugging in the air pump 5W above, the bubble wand will create dense bubbles. And the bubbles will release oxygen in the water.

What does an air bubble curtain do in aquariums

The same as air bubbles, air bubble curtains do have their significance. For instance, oxygenating the aquarium water, creating abundant micro and uniform bubbles, keeping fish and aquatic plants healthy, making the water more lively, and improving the aesthetic values, plus forming an amazing appearance for the tank. However, sometimes bubble curtains may be a problem. For example, small fish are hard to swim facing too many bubbles. Also, too many bubbles may pose a risk of disease, like gas bubble disease.

Do fish like bubbles inside an aquarium

Do fish like bubbles? Air bubbles provide oxygen in your  aquariums. So essentially, most fish do favor living with bubbles. But you should make sure that the bubbles will not threaten fish health. Next in the table below, we will list some fish that like bubbles inside their aquariums.

Corydoras	Large molly fish	Sword tails fish
Rainbow sharks	Small loaches	Puffer fish

Aside from that, some fish may not do well in aquariums with bubbles. Like, angel fish. They may get disoriented in aquariums with a surprising amount of bubbles. Additionally, there are also fish that can live without an air pump, such as Gourami, Guppy fish, Betta fish, and Paradise fish. If you want to get into more details about that, you can take a look at the article – Fish Can Live Without an Air Pump in Tank.

Does it really need an air bubble curtain in aquariums?

Whether an air bubble curtain is crucial or not is determined by the aquatic pets and other creatures in aquariums. To keep a balance between oxygen level and carbon dioxide, aquarium aeration seems critically important. For example, if you have a tank with high oxygen-demanding fish, then creating an air bubble curtain in the tank is a great choice. Moreover, in the face of oxygen deficiency in your tank, an air bubble curtain will help you a lot. By the way, here are some signs of oxygen deficiency:

• Fish move their gills rapidly and gasp for air on the water surface
• Fish hang out by the outlet of the aquarium filter
• Inactive fish stay at the bottom of the tank

Once you find the symptoms mentioned above, you should take action immediately. Otherwise, your fish may suffer death.

Nevertheless, sometimes it is recommended not to add air bubbles in aquariums. Given below are some examples:

• Too higher oxygen level. Because it may be detrimental to fish and aquatic plants in your tanks. Plants would grow slower or even suffer death.
• Aquatic plants need to supplement carbon dioxide. The lower the oxygen level, the higher the level of the carbon dioxide.
• A high-oxygenated tank does not need additional air bubbles. Otherwise, it would suffer fish disease, like gas bubble disease

In conclusion

In a word, an air bubble curtain is an excellent option for those aquatic fish that prefer living in the aquarium with bubbles or demand sufficient and high oxygen levels in the tank. By the way, in addition to the aquarium aeration strip kit, you can also connect an air pump with airstone to create bubbles. No matter which way you choose, before adding aeration equipment, it is essential to research whether your fish are fond of living in aquariums with dense bubbles. By doing so, the damage to fish would be reduced.

If you want to know more knowledge about aquarium products that can create bubbles or improve oxygen levels, you can go to:

That’s all for today. More wonderful ideas about air bubble curtains in aquariums, welcome to leave messages in the comment. We are happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for your reading. And we hope this article will give you a favor.

As an environmentally friendly substrate, aquarium sand is helpful to anchor aquatic plants and make your tanks look more natural. Commonly, aquarium sand comes in various types. For instance, sea sand, reef sand, river sand, black quartz sand, coral sand, live sand, etc. Also, each sand type can meet different tank requirements.

In this article, we are going to talk about things like aquarium sand. Plus, you will walk away with a much better understanding of aquarium sand. You will learn how to clean aquarium sand and how to wash sand. Rant over, let’s begin.

Why use sand substrate in aquariums

Aside from making your tank look more natural, are there any other reasons for using sand substrate in aquariums? In this segment, we will discuss why to use sand substrate in aquariums.

Generally, aquarium substrate is an essential part of most tanks, like planted tanks. The most common substrate consists of sand, gravel, aquarium soil, etc. Next, we will cover some benefits of using the sand substrate.

• Improve the ornamental value of your tank: Adding sand brightens your tank and makes it look more natural.
• Sand substrate is beneficial for some fish: Some fish may consume sand, which makes sense in digestion. Besides, sand is the best option for catfish and burrowing species. Because other substrates, like pebbles and rocks, would be harmful to them.
• Sand is a great option for most planted tanks. As it can anchor aquatic plants, while it can also be adding color to aquariums.
• Sand is smaller than gravel, which provides more surface for beneficial bacteria to grow.
• Easy to clean: compared to gravel cleaning, sand cleaning is more accessible and less time-consuming. Because fine sand reduces the gap, accordingly, the waste may just build up on the surface.

How long should wash aquarium sand?

You can not procrastinate doing aquarium sand cleaning. Otherwise, your aquatic pets may suffer death. Because waste, debris, uneaten food, fish feces, or other unnecessary substances may accumulate on the sand substrate surface. As the substances build up, your tank may lose balance. Consequently, regular cleaning is helpful to maintain great water conditions and keep aquatic pets and plants healthy. Commonly, it is better to clean the sand once every two weeks.

By the way, sand substrate maintenance is different from gravel substrate maintenance. As the sand is smaller than gravel. Hence, the waste accumulation would be mainly on the sand surface. On the contrary, the gravel substrate, waste, debris, etc. may get trapped in gaps between the gravel. As a result, gravel substrate may need more frequent cleaning.

How to clean aquarium sand with a siphon

Clean aquarium sand with a siphon

A siphon or a gravel vacuum is one piece of aquarium equipment bringing a handful of benefits to tank cleaning and maintenance. Featuring diverse sizes and materials, different siphons serve various tank types. Just choose one according to your tank status. After that, a question would come into your mind – how to clean aquarium sand with a siphon? Give below are some tips.

As for partial cleaning, a siphon cleaner is great. You can just stir the sand gently and then use the siphon to remove the feces, waste, and other debris. Additionally, if you want to clean the sand thoroughly, you can follow the steps mentioned below. First of all, you should remove aquatic pets, plants, and aquarium decor from another tank. Then, suck out half of the water in your aquarium. After that, you can clean the sand with an electric gravel cleaner.

A gravel cleaner can remove waste, debris, and other impurities from the sand. After cleaning, rinse the sand with fresh water. Next, you can add plants or other things back to your aquarium. Finally, refill the purified water and add fish to the aquarium.

Clean aquarium sand with the help of sand cleaning fish

Sounds interesting? Actually, in addition to algae-cleaning fish, there are also sand-cleaning fish. Like, Corydoras, Loaches, and Geophagus. Nonetheless, it does not mean you do not need to clean the sand, change aquarium water, or monitor the water quality.

Clean aquarium sand with a bucket or a bowl

Facing no siphon, just prepare a bucket or a bowl. Before cleaning, you should remove the fish, plants, and other creatures from another tank. Then, scoop the sand into the bucket. Then stir the sand with your hands, and rinse it until the water is clear. After that, you can put the sand back into your tank, and refill the water. But the way is not friendly for large fish tanks.

Keep your aquariums healthy

In a word, cleaning aquarium sand before and after use is vital. Uncleaned sand may contain toxic substances and bacteria, which are harmful to your aquarium, and even lead to health problems for fish and other creatures. Moreover, toxic substances and bacteria accumulation are detrimental to fish and plants growth. In addition to this, without daily maintenance and regular cleaning, the sand would become dirty as uneaten food, fish feces, and other debris accumulate. As a result, the water quality would be poor, which could be a threat to fish health.

By the way, there are some pointers about how to clean aquarium sand before use.
It is quite easy to clean the aquarium sand before use. Just put the aquarium sand in a strainer, and then rinse it with tap water. However, you may need to rinse many times until the water becomes clear. After that, you can add the sand to your aquarium.

Additionally, if you want to learn more about sand cleaning in heavily planted aquariums, you can go to How to Clean Sand in a Heavily Planted Aquarium.

Brackish water fish prefer a living environment between freshwater and saltwater. The salinity should be lower than saltwater tanks but higher than freshwater tanks, which should be maintained at about 1.005-1.012. Plus, brackish water fish are commonly easy to care for, while they do need daily care. In this article, we are going to talk about the brackish water fish care guide. You will walk away with a much better understanding of how to care for brackish water fish. Rant over, let’s delve right in!

Facts of brackish water fish

Brackish water fish can be kept with invertebrates, crustaceans, and other brackish water fish of similar size. Their size and lifespan are varied from different fish species. Archer fish, Brackish puffer fish, and Scats are great alternatives among brackish water fish. Interestingly, Archer fish can jump off the water surface to capture insects. And the Scats feature various colors and patterns.

Next, we will share some requirements of the living environment for brackish water fish.

Water temperature	72-82 ℉
pH level	7.8-8.4
Salinity level	1.005-1.012
Alkalinity level	180-360 ppm (10-20 dKH)
Specific gravity level	1.005-1.015
Minimum tank size	Determined by fish species

Aside from brackish water fish, some freshwater fish can also survive in brackish water aquariums. For instance, Guppy fish, Molly fish, Mudskipper, Pufferfish, and Goby fish. They are great options exactly.

Brackish water fish feeding

Brackish water fish need nutrition to survive. Hence, a balanced diet is necessary. You can feed them with vegetables, flakes, free-dried foods, blood worms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other frozen foods. Also, some brackish water fish are scavengers. They will consume debris and uneaten fish food in the tank.

In general, the feeding amount is determined by fish species. Commonly, you can feed one to three times each day. And make sure your fish finish eating within 1–3 minutes. As for the frozen foods, you’d better thaw them before feeding. Besides that, during the feeding process, an automatic fish feeder can help you take care of fish. As the fish can dispense food for fish with programmable time and portion. Consequently, you do not need to worry about your fish when you are on business trips, holidays, or busy times.

Habitat maintenance of fish in brackish water

Actually, brackish water fish are not difficult to keep. The point of brackish water fish care is that keep daily and regular maintenance.

Do regular water changes and tank cleaning

Usually, it is recommended to change 15-30 percent of water once a week. Just determine the volume according to the status of your tank. As for water changes, a water changer will help you out. It makes sense in changing aquarium water plus sucking out debris and waste.

During the water change process, if necessary, you can wash the sand or gravel and clean your tank. Furthermore, rinse the aquarium decors and supplies regularly. For example, once each month or once every two months. However, just keep in mind – never use soap. Otherwise, it would pose threats to your tank. For example, foamy bubbles on the top of the fish tank.

Add marine salt

Each time after water changes, you’d better add moderate marine salt. And then measure the specific gravity of the aquarium water. Marine salt contains sodium chloride and various vital minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. But do not directly add the marine salt to your brackish water aquarium, or your fish may get shocked and plants get burned. You should add the salt to a separate area, and adjust the water parameters. You’d better not add the water with marine salt to your brackish water fish tank until the water parameters reach accepted levels.

Monitor the water quality and water temp

To keep stable and great water quality, it is feasible to test the water parameters once a week and check specific gravity levels at least twice a week. You can finish it easily with the help of aquarium water test strips. Also, a thermometer gives you real-time water temperature. By the way, you can also add an aquarium heater to maintain consistent water temp.

Add necessary aquarium decors and supplies

Generally, you should provide adequate aquatic plants, rocks, stones, and other decors to make sure plenty of hiding places. As for aquarium supplies, you can choose from the substrate, marine salt, appropriate food, water test strips, hydrometer, thermometer, aquarium heater, aquarium filter, air pump, aquarium light, etc. Just make decisions according to the fish species and tank requirements.

Next, we will list the necessity of some aquarium supplies.

• Aquarium heater

To keep a stable water temperature, an aquarium heater is fundamental. As we have mentioned above, the water temperature in the brackish aquarium should be 72-82℉. Hence, a double quartz heater is an excellent choice. With a built-in intelligent LED digital temperature display and three temperature probes, you can check the real-time water temperature.

• Aquarium light

Sufficient light makes brilliant fish and live aquatic plants. For instance, if there are aquatic plants in a brackish tank, like java fern, anubias, and hornwort. Then, adding an aquarium light would be crucial. A Bluetooth LED light is not bad for someone who wants to control lighting via a mobile phone and customized 300+ colors. And submersible LED lights are a better option for fish tanks with a hood.

• Aquarium filter

A canister filter is an excellent option for a brackish aquarium. It can filter particles and debris effectively and also absorb odors. In the meantime, the filter can accelerate beneficial bacteria to grow.

Never overstock

As fish grow up or if you want to introduce more fish, it is better to consider whether your tank can stock them or not. Overstock will lead to poor water quality because of the build-up of waste, debris, and excess food. Plus, overcrowded is a major cause of stress and disease. Actually, it is not good for fish health. By the way, the tank size depends on the size and quantity of the fish.

Key takeaways

To conclude, with proper maintenance, keeping brackish water fish is not difficult. And given below can be three key points during the maintenance process of brackish water fish care: changing aquarium water, monitoring the water parameters, and cleaning your tank regularly.

Also, you should observe your fish. You can get information about their health status. The table below will give you some pointers.

Signals of healthy fish	1. Bright body color 2. A great and healthy appetite 3. Clear eyes
Abnormal fish behavior and symptoms	1. Loss of color or appetite 2. Spots or fungus on the body or mouth 3. Inactive and stay at the bottom of the tank 4. Swimming upside down 5. Frayed or decaying fins

Related topic about brackish water fish:

Actually, the nitrogen cycle is a necessary part when setting up a new tank. To provide a clean and healthy living environment for your aquatic pets and keep them living happily, you’d better learn something about the nitrogen cycle, which is sometimes called “biological filtration”. So, if you are ready to dive deeper into the nitrogen cycle in aquariums, then let’s begin.

What is the nitrogen cycle

When it comes to the nitrogen cycle, the first question that comes into your mind can be – what is it? Actually, it is a process to reduce damage to your aquatic pets. As the build-up of fish feces, waste, debris, uneaten food, and decaying matter, ammonia and nitrogen will be produced. Once the concentration of ammonia and nitrogen is over 0.1 ppm, your fish may suffer death.

During the nitrogen cycle process, beneficial bacteria will be helpful to transfer the ammonia and nitrogen into nitrite, then convert the nitrite into nitrate, and finally turn into nitrogen gas with the help of anaerobic beneficial bacteria in aquarium water. However, too high a nitrate level is damaging to aquatic pets. Take ornamental fish as an example, they would lose colors and appetite. And algae would thrive in your tank.

Hence, regularly testing and changing your aquarium water is necessary. And make adjustments according to the test readings. For instance, adding activated carbon, water softeners, and ammonia neutralizers.

How important is the nitrogen cycle

In this segment, let’s talk about the importance of the nitrogen cycle in aquariums. Exactly, the nitrogen cycle is beneficial to decrease ammonia and nitrite level. Too high levels of ammonia and nitrite will lead to toxic water, which is harmful to your fish. Seriously, fish will get sick or even die. Aside from that, without a great nitrogen cycle, some issues would appear in your tank, which is harmful to your fish. For example, the New Tank Syndrome and nitrite poisoning.

How does the nitrogen cycle work

To keep fish living happily in a healthy aquarium, the nitrogen cycle can be a necessary part, which makes sense in breaking down toxic aquarium waste and debris into harmless compounds. Commonly, there are four stages of the nitrogen cycle.

First stage – Ammonia formation

As fish waste accumulates, the ammonia will form in your fish tank. In new aquariums, the ammonia level will gradually increase after three days of introducing fish.

Second stage – Nitrite formation

At this stage, ammonia will be converted into nitrite with the help of nitrifying bacteria. While some nitrites will be turned into nitrogen gas with the help of denitrifying bacteria. Then, the ammonia level will be decreased, while the nitrite level gradually rise. Plus, in new aquariums, the nitrite level will increase after about one week of introducing fish.

Third stage – Nitrate formation

Other beneficial bacteria, like nitrifying bacteria, will help to transfer nitrite into nitrate. When the ammonia and nitrite levels approach zero, it means the nitrogen cycle approaches finished. Nonetheless, you should keep partial water changes to avoid too high a nitrate level. For example, change 10-30 percent of aquarium water once per week. In this case, a water changer will help you a lot, which makes your daily maintenance more convenient and time-saving.

Fourth stage – Breaking down nitrate

In addition to water changes, there are more methods to control nitrate levels. Denitrifying bacteria can break down the nitrate into nitrogen gas. Also, aquatic plants and algae will consume nitrate. As they grow up, they will produce oxygen, which is helpful to fish growth.

Nitrogen cycle steps

In general, the nitrogen cycle takes about 6-7 weeks without the help of special products. Next, we will share some tips about nitrogen cycle steps.

The first 2 weeks

During the first 2 weeks, you can only add a few fish. In the meantime, monitor the water closely. Test the water once every day. The ammonia level should be less than 0.06 ppm, while the nitrite and nitrate levels should be maintained at 0 ppm.

2-4 weeks

Monitor the water and check it once every other day. With the help of nitrifying bacteria, the ammonia level would be decreased to 0 ppm, while the nitrite level will increase. And it should be kept at less than 0.75 ppm. Also, the nitrate level should be maintained at 0 ppm. Besides that, in this period, you should provide sufficient oxygen level, which is helpful to grow beneficial bacteria. Accordingly, harmful ammonia and nitrite accumulate slowly.

5-6 weeks

During 5-6 weeks, adequate oxygen level is also critically crucial. Without enough oxygen, the beneficial bacteria may develop slowly, while the harmful ammonia and nitrite would build up faster. Luckily, beneficial bacteria will convert the nitrite into nitrate. Nonetheless, the nitrite and nitrate levels respectively should be less than 0.75 ppm and 25 ppm. And the ammonia level should be 0 ppm.

After 6 weeks

After 6 weeks, the nitrogen cycle is going to be stabilized and finished. In this case, the ammonia and nitrite levels in your tank should be at zero, while the nitrate level should be over 25 ppm. Then you can gradually introduce more fish into your tank. Plus, water testing is still vital. Commonly once each week.

What would happen if there was no nitrogen cycle

Definitely, you have known the necessity of the nitrogen cycle in aquariums. Then, what would happen if there was no nitrogen cycle? New Tank Syndrome, ammonia stress, or nitrite poisoning will appear.

Specifically, fish suffering the New Tank Syndrome will lose colors and become inactive. And they will hide in corners or near the bottom of tanks. For more about the New Tank Syndrome, you can go to Solve The New Tank Syndrome Problem. Additionally, without a nitrogen cycle, the harmful ammonia will accumulate in your tank, leading to ammonia stress or even fish death.

To sum up

During the nitrogen cycle, monitoring the water, building a great filtration system, and providing sufficient oxygen levels can be key points. You should check the changes in water parameters at different periods. Also, filter media provide places for beneficial bacteria to grow. While adequate oxygen is helpful to develop beneficial bacteria. Then the beneficial bacteria can break down harmful substances effectively.

That’s all for today. Have you walked away with a much better understanding of the nitrogen cycle in aquariums? For additional ideas about the nitrogen cycle in aquariums, welcome to share with us in the comment, we are happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for taking the time and we hope this article helps.

Not only green algae can form carpets in aquariums, but java moss does. Also, java moss is hardy and easy to care for, making it a great option for beginners. In today’s article, let’s learn something about java moss, like the types and features of java moss, planting skills, and java moss care tips. Without further ado, let’s delve in.

Types of moss

Types of moss

To begin with, we will list some popular aquatic mosses in the table below.

Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana/Taxiphyllum barbieri)
	Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
Flame Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. ‘Flame’)
	Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)
Peacock Moss (Taxiphyllum sp. ‘Peacock’)
	Marimo moss ball (Aegagro propila linnaei)
Phoenix Moss (Fissidens fontanus)
	Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)
Subwassertang (Lomariopsis Lineata)

Get into java moss

Java moss is native to Southeast Asia, and its scientific name is Vesicularia Dubyana or Taxiphyllum Barbieri. In the natural environment, java moss can be found in tropical areas. In captivity, it can survive in any condition. Given below are some requirements of the java moss aquarium.

• Temperature: Its ideal temperature is 70-75℉, but it can survive up to 86℉.
• pH: Its accepted pH is 5-8.
• Lighting level: It can grow in low light while also in high light. In low light, it will be dark and thin. In high light, it will become compact.
• Planting: It is better to tie it with fishing lines.
• Carbon dioxide: It can grow without carbon dioxide.

Aside from that, here are more features of java moss:

• Hardy aquatic plants: Java moss can even grow up under no light. And the light green color on the ends of java moss means new growth.
• No root: Java moss does not root. But it can anchor on one spot and float there. Moreover, it can also attach to objects’ surfaces, like substrate, wood, and rocks.
• Great for breeders: Java moss provides places for shrimp to nest.
• Appealing appearance: Aquascaping your aquarium with java moss, the ornamental value will greatly increase.

How fast does Java moss grow

With proper maintenance, java moss can fully grow in about 3–4 weeks. As a fast-growing moss, it can grow 2-3 mm each day or even 1-1.5 inches each month. Also, it can reproduce every 1–3 days. Furthermore, it can live up to 10 years. Accordingly, you should trim java moss regularly.

By the way, some factors will improve or lower moss’s growth rate. For instance, aquarium light intensity, water parameters, nutrients, and carbon dioxide. Generally, dim light will lower moss’s growth rate. Besides that, a moderate amount of nutrients and carbon dioxide help Java moss grow faster.

How to plant Java moss

Floating java moss

Actually, creating floating Java moss is not difficult. Just drop the moss on the water surface. The floating java moss will appear as the moss grows up. Nonetheless, you should avoid the moss being caught in the aquarium filter.

Decorate aquarium decor with java moss

Anchor java moss on a flat and non-floating surface first, like driftwood, stone, and rock. Next, tie the java moss on the surface with fishing lines. After about one month, you can remove the fishing lines with a pair of scissors. You can also make java moss trees in this way.

In addition to java moss, other plants can also be planted on aquarium stones, like Anubias, Java fern, and Bucephalandra. If you want to learn more about this topic, you can read Aquatic Plants Can Be Planted on Aquarium Stones.

Create Java moss carpet

Aside from that, you can also make java moss carpet with the help of mesh and fishing lines. Just take two pieces of mesh and then sandwich a level of java moss between the mesh. After that, tie the mesh with fishing lines. Finally, you can place it on the bottom of your tank.

For more about carpet in your tank, you can go to Create a Carpet in Your Planted Tank.

Carpet java moss care tips

In this segment, we will cover some Java moss care tips.

Never move the moss around

When you place the java moss in your tank, never move it around. Because it needs time to adhere to the objects’ surfaces and adapt to new living conditions. Generally a few weeks.

Build a great filtration system

A great filtration system helps to keep clean water and a healthy aquarium. Also, an aquarium filter can circulate water, which spreads nutrients to every corner of your tank. But you should avoid strong water currents. Because it is damaging to Java moss.

Adjust light intensity

As we have mentioned above, dim light would limit java moss growth. To make java moss dense or grow faster, you can set higher light intensity. However, bright light will lead to algae booming in your tank.

Change aquarium water

Weekly water changes are necessary. Commonly, changing 15-30 percent of water is great. In this case, you can ask a siphon cleaner for help. The vacuum siphon makes the water change easily and efficiently. In the meantime, you can clean the sand or gravel, as well as remove dirt in your tank with the help of a siphon cleaner.

Clean or replace Java moss

Algae will grow in your tank because of poor water circulation or high light intensity. If there are algae on the java moss, you’d better remove the algae or replace the moss. You can remove the algae from java moss by scrubbing the moss with a soft toothbrush. Nevertheless, it may be a little bit hard to do that. On the contrary, just replace the Java moss.

Key takeaways

In short, java mosses definitely form aesthetically attractive aquariums. Featuring great adaptability and a lower care level, java moss can be an excellent alternative for aquarium beginners. Whether floating java moss or java moss carpet, there is always one that can meet your needs.

Aside from freshwater aquariums, a saltwater aquarium is another excellent choice. But the latter will be harder to keep than the former. If you have a saltwater tank, which marine fish will you pick? Or will you be in a dilemma? If so, this article will give you some ideas. Just read on and get into the ten most beautiful saltwater aquarium fish. But to be clear in advance, how to define beauty depends on individuals.

Saltwater fish

Saltwater fish are native to the oceans. Commonly, fish native to deep seas are larger than fish originating from shallow seas. Also, the same as freshwater fish, saltwater fish come in a surprising amount of species. Most saltwater fish are vibrant. In captivity, saltwater fish fancy aquariums large with rocks, corals, or sand.

However, as we have mentioned, saltwater fish are more difficult to maintain in aquariums. In addition to daily water changes and pH testing, you should also check the salinity and specific gravity. Plus, most saltwater fish are fond of alkali water with a pH level approaching eight. Accordingly, if you have a saltwater tank, you should prepare aquarium salt and adjust the water parameter.

10 most beautiful saltwater aquarium fish

1. Trigger fish

Brief introduction	You can find it in the regions of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Triggerfish feature stripes and spots on the oval and compressed body. Furthermore, it has a large head and a small mouth. Plus, its teeth can crush shells.
Family	Balistidae	Temperament	Aggressive
Size	12–23 inches	Diet	Carnivore
Lifespan	7–13 years	Minimum tank size	100 gallons

2. Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus)

Brief introduction	Lined Butterflyfish always come in white, black, and yellow, featuring vertical stripes on the body. For more saltwater butterfly fish, read Fish Profiles – Butterfly Fish Facts.
Family	Chaetodontidae	Temperament	Peaceful
Size	12 inches	Diet	Omnivore
Lifespan	Up to 10 years	Minimum tank size	150 gallons

 3. Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)

Brief introduction	The Banggai cardinalfish possesses long and flowing fins, giant eyes, white spots, vertical black stripes, and silver sides. However, it is an endangered species in the wild.
Family	Apogonidae	Temperament	Peaceful
Size	3 inches	Diet	Carnivore
Lifespan	5 years	Minimum tank size	30 gallons

4. Blue Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)

Brief introduction	Coming in a blue and black body, the Blue Hippo Tang has a yellow tail. Commonly, the females are smaller than males.
Family	Acanthuridae	Temperament	Peaceful
Size	About 12 inches	Diet	Omnivore
Lifespan	20–30 years	Minimum tank size	120 gallons

5. French Angelfish

Brief introduction	French Angelfish is famous for its yellow stripes on the black body. Plus, if you want to learn more about saltwater angelfish, you can go to Fish Profile – Angelfish Facts and Tips.
Family	Pomacanthidae	Temperament	Semi-aggressive
Size	15 inches	Diet	Omnivore
Lifespan	10 years	Minimum tank size	250 gallons

6. Lion Fish

Brief introduction	Lionfish usually come in white, red, brown, and black stripes or spots. Though the fish is beautiful, it is poisonous. Luckily, the venom is not fatal.
Family	Scorpaenidae	Temperament	Semi-aggressive
Size	12–18 inches	Diet	Carnivore
Lifespan	5–15 years	Minimum tank size	120 gallons

7. Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

Brief introduction	During the juvenile period, Emperor Angelfish features dark blue and white stripes, which form a rounded pattern. Commonly, it lasts about four years. As for adult emperor angelfish, it always comes in blue and yellow stripes on the body.
Family	Pomacanthidae	Temperament	Semi-aggressive
Size	About 12 inches in captivity	Diet	Omnivore
Lifespan	20 years	Minimum tank size	125 gallons

8. Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus)

Brief introduction	Featuring red, orange, blue, and yellow stripes, plus black spots with yellow and red edges, Mandarinfish comes in dark green, red, orange, etc. They are small, elongated, and scaleless. Besides, they are also named Mandarin fish, Mandarin dragonet, and Mandarin goby.
Family	Callionymidae	Temperament	Peaceful
Size	About 3 inches	Diet	Carnivore
Lifespan	2–4 years	Minimum tank size	30 gallons

9. Rainbow Parrotfish (Scarus guacamaia)

Brief introduction	Rainbow Parrotfish is large. Generally, it comes in greenish-brown, with dull orange fins.
Family	Scaridae	Temperament	Semi-aggressive
Size	About 47 inches	Diet	Herbivore
Lifespan	Up to 16 years	Minimum tank size	Over 200 gallons

10. Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)

Brief introduction	Found in the western Atlantic Ocean, Queen Angelfish is famous for golden angelfish, blue angelfish, and yellow angelfish. It is overall in blue and yellow.
Family	Pomacanthidae	Temperament	Aggressive
Size	18 inches	Diet	Omnivore
Lifespan	15 years	Minimum tank size	250 gallons

How long do saltwater aquarium fish live

Generally, most saltwater aquarium fish can live up to 10–20 years on average. Nonetheless, maybe you can make your fish live longer. Following are some pointers:

• Suitable tank size: Fish do not like overcrowded spaces. Consequently, providing a suitable tank is necessary. Fish will be happy with plenty of room to swim and explore.
• Regular water test: You should monitor the water parameters. Poor water quality will pose threats to fish health. Fish disease may shorten their lifespan.
• Proper diet: Keep regular feeding and a balanced diet. Sufficient nutrients are helpful to fish growth.
• Quarantine sick fish: Once you find sick fish in your tank, you’d better quarantine them immediately. Because some contagious diseases will infect other tank mates quickly beyond what you can imagine.

Saltwater fish facts

In this segment, we would like to share some exciting facts about saltwater fish. And you would be surprised or thrilled about some points.

Some saltwater fish are smart. Most fish memorize for a short time. However, some fish can learn from their experience, like Triggerfish. Plus, some saltwater fish can communicate with each other through certain behaviors or signals.

Besides that, saltwater fish even use five senses to capture food, detect danger, and communicate with other fish. Additionally, unlike freshwater fish species, saltwater fish need to drink water to compensate for water.

To sum up

Until now, have you got a better understanding of saltwater fish? The ten saltwater fish we mentioned above are special and appealing. Why not choose one from them and start your saltwater aquarium experience?

Additional topics about saltwater fish and aquariums

For more attractive saltwater fish, welcome to share with us in the comments. We are happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for reading. And hope you will have an enjoyable experience of saltwater fishkeeping.