Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Condensed answers on cycling, water parameters, fish care, illness, and the App-aquatic fish tank app. Search or filter below.
What is App-aquatic?
App-aquatic is an aquarium management app for hobbyists. It helps you plan tanks, track water parameters (e.g. pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), visualize your setup, manage multiple tanks, and get stocking and care guidance. It has a free trial, then is a paid subscription — no advertising, ever — and is available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store), with a focus on tropical freshwater aquariums.
Is App-aquatic free?
App-aquatic has a free trial; after that it is a paid subscription. There is no advertising in the app, ever. The subscription costs less than losing one tropical fish per year. You can download from Get App-aquatic (Google Play & App Store).
Where can I download App-aquatic?
You can download App-aquatic on Android from Google Play (search “App-aquatic” or use the link on our homepage) and on iPhone/iPad from the App Store. Visit Get App-aquatic for direct links.
What can you do with App-aquatic?
You can create tank dashboards, track water parameters over time, visualize your aquarium setup, run stocking and compatibility checks, manage multiple tanks in one place, and get reminders and insights to keep your fish healthy. It is built for tropical freshwater keepers; saltwater support is in beta. Explore features
Does App-aquatic work for saltwater aquariums?
App-aquatic focuses on tropical freshwater aquariums. Saltwater support is in beta; you can use the app for basic tracking, but the best experience today is for freshwater tanks. See freshwater vs saltwater for comparison.
What is the best app for tracking aquarium water parameters?
App-aquatic is built for hobbyists who want simple, clear water parameter tracking. It lets you log key readings (e.g. pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), see trends over time, and get insights so you can spot issues early. It has a free trial then paid subscription (no ads), and supports multiple tanks on Android and iOS. Manage water quality with App-aquatic
How do I track aquarium water parameters?
Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH regularly with a test kit. Log each reading with the date so you see trends. Apps like App-aquatic let you record results per tank and get reminders. See our water parameters guide for what to test and how often.
What is the best aquarium app?
App-aquatic is an aquarium app for Android and iOS with tank dashboards, parameter tracking, stocking help, multiple tanks, and care reminders. It has a free trial, then a paid subscription — no ads, ever — and costs less than losing one tropical fish per year. Download from Get App-aquatic (Google Play & App Store).
Why do fish swim at the top of the tank?
Fish often swim or gasp at the top when water quality is poor: ammonia or nitrite burns the gills, so they seek oxygen at the surface. Low oxygen (overstocking, warm water) can also cause it. Test ammonia and nitrite first. If either is above zero, do a water change and fix the cause. See our fish gasping guide for step-by-step help.
How often should I test my aquarium water?
In an established tank, test at least weekly — ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. During cycling or when you add new fish, test every day or every other day until readings are stable. Log results so you see trends; App-aquatic lets you track and get reminders.
What causes high nitrate in a fish tank?
Nitrate builds up from fish waste and uneaten food. Overfeeding, overstocking, or too few water changes are common causes. Lower it with regular water changes (e.g. 25–50% weekly), live plants, and feeding only what fish eat. See our how to lower nitrate guide.
How long does it take to cycle a fish tank?
Fishless cycling usually takes 2–6 weeks, sometimes up to 8. You're done when you can add an ammonia source and both ammonia and nitrite read zero within 24 hours. Track your tests to see the pattern; our cycling guide has the full step-by-step.
What is ammonia in an aquarium?
Ammonia is toxic waste from fish, uneaten food, and decay. It burns gills and can kill fish. In a cycled tank it should always be 0 ppm. If you see any ammonia, do a water change and fix the cause (overfeeding, overstocking, or uncycled tank). Ammonia spike guide · nitrogen cycle
What is nitrite in an aquarium?
Nitrite is a byproduct of the nitrogen cycle — bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite, then to nitrate. Nitrite is toxic; it should be 0 ppm in a cycled tank. If nitrite is present, the tank is still cycling or something has crashed the cycle. See nitrite spike guide.
What is nitrate in an aquarium?
Nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycle. Less toxic than ammonia and nitrite, but high levels stress fish. Aim for under 20 ppm (ideally under 10). Lower with water changes and live plants. How to lower nitrate
How often should I change aquarium water?
Most tanks need 25–50% weekly. Heavily stocked or small tanks may need more. Lightly stocked, planted tanks may need less. Test nitrate to guide you — if it climbs, change more often. Water change frequency · maintenance schedule
How much water should I change?
25–50% per change is typical. Larger changes (50–75%) are fine for emergencies (ammonia spike, illness). Avoid 100% changes — they shock fish and remove beneficial bacteria from the water column. Temperature match new water
What is drip acclimation?
Drip acclimation is a method of slowly adding tank water to the container holding new fish. You run a tube from the tank so water drips in at 2–4 drips per second. Over 30–60 minutes, the water matches your tank’s temperature, pH, and hardness. Fish adjust without shock. Best for sensitive species (discus, cardinal tetras, shrimp) or when your water differs a lot from the store. See our drip acclimation guide for step-by-step instructions.
What does a betta fish need?
Minimum 5 gallons, heater (78–80°F), filter, and cycled water. Bettas need hiding spots and calm water. Avoid strong flow and fin-nipping tankmates. Betta care guide · tank mates · 5 gallon tank
What is ich and how do I treat it?
Ich (white spot disease) is a parasite — tiny white dots on fish. Raise temp to 80–82°F and treat with aquarium salt or medication (e.g. Ich-X). Follow product directions and complete the full course. Ich treatment guide · quarantine new fish
What causes fin rot and how do I fix it?
Fin rot is usually bacterial, often triggered by poor water quality or stress. Improve water (water changes, test ammonia/nitrite), reduce stress, and consider antibacterial treatment if it doesn't improve. Fin rot guide · betta fins damaged
How many fish can I put in my aquarium?
Depends on tank size, filtration, and fish type. Use the 1 inch per gallon rule as a rough start, but it fails for large or messy fish. Stocking calculator · how many fish per gallon · overstocking
What is new tank syndrome?
Ammonia and nitrite spikes in an uncycled or newly set-up tank. Fish added before the cycle completes produce waste faster than bacteria can process it. Fix: cycle before adding fish, or do fish-in cycling with daily testing and water changes. New tank syndrome guide · how to cycle
Can I add fish the same day I set up a tank?
No. A new tank has no beneficial bacteria. Adding fish immediately causes ammonia to rise and can kill them. Cycle the tank first (fishless, 2–6 weeks) or use a cycled filter/media from an established tank. Cycling guide · how to set up a tank
Do I need to treat tap water for aquariums?
Yes. Use a dechlorinator (water conditioner) before adding tap water. Chlorine and chloramine kill beneficial bacteria and harm fish. Dose for the full volume you're adding, not just the tank size. Tap water for aquarium
What pH should my aquarium be?
Most tropical freshwater fish do well at 6.5–7.5. Stability matters more than a specific number — avoid chasing pH with chemicals. Match fish to your tap water when possible. Water too acid or alkaline
Why is my aquarium full of algae?
Excess light, nutrients (nitrate, phosphate), or both. Reduce light duration, do water changes, avoid overfeeding, and add live plants to compete. Algae eaters (e.g. nerite snails, otocinclus) help but won't fix the root cause. Algae 101 · green water · cleanup crew
Want the full picture?
Our guides go deeper — step-by-step cycling, water quality, fish care, illness treatment, and more.