Posts by JtheFishMan

  • how often to feed live?

    Hey there fellow fish enthusiasts! 🐠

    I noticed there's some confusion about how often and how much to feed live food, so I thought I'd share some insights and tips on this topic:

    • The frequency of live feedings can vary depending on the specific needs of your fish species. Some general guidelines are:

      • In general, it's recommended to feed live food to your fish a few times a week, rather than every day.
      • Live food can provide essential nutrients and stimulate natural behaviors, so it's beneficial to incorporate it into their diet.
      • However, it's important to maintain a balanced diet by also offering processed foods or other types of nutritionally complete fish food.

    • Consider the following factors when determining the amount of live food to feed:

      • The size of your fish: Smaller fish require smaller food portions, while larger fish may need more substantial meals.
      • Age and growth rate: Juvenile fish may need more frequent feedings and smaller food portions to support their growth.
      • Tank conditions: If your aquarium has ample hiding spots, it's better to distribute smaller amounts of live food to ensure all fish have a chance to feed.

    • It's crucial to monitor your fish during feeding time to avoid overfeeding, which can lead to health issues and poor water quality. Here are some signs to watch out for:

      • Uneaten food accumulating at the bottom of the tank.
      • Fish becoming lethargic or bloated.
      • Water quality deteriorating rapidly after feedings.

    • Remember, variety is the spice of life! Mixing live food with other sources of nutrition, such as flakes, pellets, or frozen food, can help ensure a well-rounded diet for your fish.

    • Always source your live food from reputable suppliers to minimize the risk of introducing parasites or diseases into your aquarium.

    I hope these tips help clear up some of the confusion regarding feeding live food to our aquatic buddies. Remember, every fish is unique, so it's essential to observe their behavior and adjust their feeding regimen accordingly. Happy fish keeping! 🐟🌊

  • How to make the bubbles smaller?

    Hey there!

    If you're looking to make the bubbles smaller, there are a couple of things you can try. First, check if your air pump has a flow control valve. You can adjust this valve to regulate the amount of air being pumped into the tank, which can help reduce the size of the bubbles.

    If your air pump doesn't have a flow control valve, you might consider getting an air stone with smaller pores. These air stones can produce finer bubbles compared to the larger ones. Look for air stones that are specifically designed to create small bubbles, as some brands or types may be more effective than others.

    Remember, the size of the bubbles can also depend on factors such as water temperature, air pressure, and the depth of the water. So, make sure to take these into account when making adjustments.

    Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

  • When buying a used tank, do you keep the fish or give them away?

    When buying a used tank, it's not uncommon to find that the previous owner has left their fish behind. So, what do you do with them? Fogerty12 makes a good point that having extra tanks can be useful in this situation. However, for those of us who don't have spare tanks lying around, giving the fish away to a local pet store might be the best option. On the other hand, if you have the space and the fish are a good fit for your current setup, keeping them might be a viable option. Ultimately, it comes down to what you feel comfortable with and what's best for the overall health and well-being of the fish.

  • Do you have lights on with your refugium?

    I personally use LED lights for my refugium and keep them on for about 10-12 hours a day. I find that this schedule works well for the macroalgae and other beneficial organisms in the refugium. However, I know that some people prefer to keep their refugium lights on 24/7. Ultimately, it depends on what works best for your specific setup and the organisms you are trying to cultivate in your refugium. Thanks for asking, Gilbert!

  • Confusion on Low Maintenance Dirt Tank Setup

    Hi friends,

    I am in need of advice. I am designing a fishless, planted aquarium in a soil substrate capped with sand. I've read conflicting advice about how to set this up.

    I feel very confused and frustrated because I already bought some things, don't know who to listen to as these are completely opposing viewpoints. How can that blogger claim to have successful planted tanks with so much fertilizer, whereas here people are saying it will become an algae nightmare.

    Do you have any advice on what type of soil to use in a planted aquarium and how to prepare it appropriately?

    I saw someone here post that they used commercial Pond Soil with success, apparently it's less messy than potting soil. I can get a bag of this instead if it is better.

    Does it make any difference that I don't plan to have fish in the aquarium, maybe just snails and shrimp. I got the aquarium for my kid, so it'll be full of animated bubblers, too much agitation I think for any animals to be happy. I don't plan to use a filter either, if I can get away without one.


    Any advice or insight would be appreciated