Blog

Fishkeeping on holiday: what to do when you’re away

23 February 2026

The one mistake that kills fish when you’re on holiday — and how to avoid it. Plus: automatic feeders, fish sitters, and your pre-trip checklist.

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Archimedes and your aquarium: why water displacement matters

28 February 2026

A 2,200-year-old idea that helps you work out your tank’s real water volume. Substrate, rocks, and decor displace water — here’s how to measure it and why it matters for dosing and stocking.

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Free aquarium stocking calculator: your online tank stocking tool

27 February 2026

Use our free aquarium stocking calculator and online tank stocking calculator tool. Plan fish combinations, bioload, compatibility. No sign-up.

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Pond fish: types, building, filters and feeding

26 February 2026

Goldfish, koi, shubunkin. How to build a pond, depth and size, filter or not, feeding by season. Practical overview.

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Euthanizing fish humanely: clove oil, myths, and what to avoid

23 February 2026

When a fish is suffering, humane euthanasia matters. Clove oil method, why flushing is inhumane, and how to separate facts from myths.

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Betta bubble nests: what they mean and what to do

25 February 2026

Male bettas blowing bubbles at the surface — what it means, common myths, and whether to remove the nest.

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Hydra in aquarium: what they are and how to remove them

25 February 2026

Tiny cnidarians that hitchhike on plants. Risk to fry and shrimp, treatment options, and prevention.

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Columnaris: what it is and what to do

Cotton wool disease, saddleback — a fast-moving bacterial infection. Symptoms, antibiotic treatment, and prevention.

Betta fins damaged: why it happens when water is fine

25 February 2026

Water params OK but fins still damaged? It's usually nipping, sharp decor, or self-nipping — here's what to do.

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Guppy male vs female: how to tell the difference

25 February 2026

Anal fin, gravid spot, body shape — quick tips for sexing guppies and controlling breeding.

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Gourami care 101

25 February 2026

Dwarf, pearl, honey — tank size, water, and tank mates for gouramis.

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The ethics of fishkeeping

25 February 2026

Tank size, sourcing, and welfare: how to be an ethically responsible aquarist.

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Wild caught vs captive bred: what's the difference?

25 February 2026

Hardiness, disease, and sustainability: how wild and captive-bred fish differ.

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Are guppies aggressive?

25 February 2026

When guppies chase, nip, or stress each other — and how to fix it.

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Why are my fish dying when water parameters are OK?

25 February 2026

Ammonia and nitrite are zero — so what else could be killing your fish?

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How to temperature match your new tank water

25 February 2026

Avoid temperature shock during water changes: match new water to your tank.

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Biofilm: that slimy stuff on your driftwood

24 February 2026

That whitish film on new wood — what it is, when to worry, and when to leave it alone.

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Black beard algae: ten ways to fight it

24 February 2026

BBA is stubborn. Light, nutrients, manual removal, spot treatment — what actually works.

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The nitrogen cycle: why every tank needs it

24 February 2026

Ammonia to nitrite to nitrate — the chain that keeps fish alive.

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Neon tetra disease: what it is and who it affects

24 February 2026

The parasite, which tetras are at risk, and what to do when you see it.

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My child’s fish died — what to do

24 February 2026

Practical steps, how to talk about it, and why parents often end up doing the care.

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Fishless cycle: to do or not to do?

24 February 2026

The trade-offs — patience vs convenience, fish welfare vs real-world constraints.

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Why use a stocking calculator?

23 February 2026

Stocking calculators help you plan fish combinations before you buy. What they do, what they can’t do, and how to get the most from them.

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Planning a 50 gallon tank? Community, centrepiece, or cichlid?

23 February 2026

Fifty gallons is a sweet spot. Three ways to stock it: mixed community, show fish with supporting cast, or a cichlid project.

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Best setups for a 100 litre tank

23 February 2026

100 litres (~26 US gallons) is a popular UK size. Community fish, centrepiece options, and dwarf cichlid ideas that work.

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How cool are the tropical fish in Minecraft?

20 February 2026

My nephew was playing Minecraft, talking tropical fish, and I was like... wait, what? A fun crossover from block fish to real fishkeeping reality.

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Small tank, betta, then upgrade: one of the most common fishkeeping paths

18 February 2026

Got a tiny tank and a betta, fell in love, and now want to upgrade? It’s a classic path — and not something to feel bad about. Here’s how to do it right.

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Who’s ever bought a fish and come home with a surprise guest?

12 February 2026

I bought four amano shrimp for my cleanup crew and found fry in the bag. Now I’m watching to see what it actually is — and why the best surprises are the ones you didn’t order.

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Comparing aquarium apps? What to look for and where to start

14 February 2026

We’ve put together a full aquarium apps comparison — what the best aquarium apps have in common and where to start.

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What truly is the hardiest fish?

12 February 2026

One keeper’s vote: the white cloud mountain minnow. Meet Sharky — multiple setups, a tank breakage, still going strong.

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5 mistakes I made with my first aquarium

10 February 2026

Cycle, stocking, feeding, testing, and planning — what I’d do differently.

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A painful month of green hair algae

6 February 2026

Chopsticks, scrubbing, and a lot of patience — how we fought hair algae (and why perfect water didn’t stop it).

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The most common question I get: how do I know if my tank is cycled?

28 January 2026

Testing is the only way — otherwise you’re gambling. Why patience really is a virtue when setting up tanks.

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New year, new fish resolution

1 January 2026

This year: more time enjoying the tanks, less panic. Calm, confidence, and quiet time in front of the water.

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What’s the best aquarium app?

10 January 2026

What to look for: parameter tracking, reminders, multiple tanks, and planning before you start.

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A fish is for life — not just for Christmas

25 December 2025

Five neon tetras, a tiny tank, a seven-day “cycle”, and a Boxing Day rescue. Why planning and tracking matter.

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Welcome to the blog

1 November 2025

This is where we’ll share weekly tips, short stories, and updates for aquarium keepers.

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