This Page/Post is designed as an alternative directory of articles here at Aquarium Answers (we also provide the list of articles in the right navigation bar on every post/article that is set in chronological order)

This page is set up by topic

TOPICS

AQUARIUM CHEMISTRY:

*Hydrogen Sulfides- Hydrogen Sulfide production in anaerobic De-Nitrification for Aquarium/Pond Nitrate Removal

*Salt in Freshwater Aquariums- The use of Sodium Chloride more commonly known as just plain salt seems to be a constant source of controversy among aquarists. This article deals with the known facts and myths about the use of salt in FW Aquariums.

*Aquarium Nitrates- Although less toxic than ammonia and nitrite; nitrate (NO3) as a nitrogen compound also causes stress at all levels making a fish’s organs work harder to adjust to it’s new environment, especially at levels higher than 100 ppm)

*What should I know about tap water for my aquarium. From Chlorine and Chloramines to Phosphates -Regularly updated information about the use of tap water in aquariums as well as removal of toxic elements there in.

*PROPER OSMOTIC FUNCTION- ELECTROLYTES; How do Fish Drink- One of my more in depth and most updated articles dealing with often forgotten yet important subject of aquatic osmoregulation.

*AQUARIUM TEST KITS; what they are used for and their importance- Aquarium/pond Test kit basics and what they should be used for as well as general water parameters to achieve with your test kits.

*The use of plaster of Paris in Ponds/Aquariums- This article deals with poor chemical comparisons to mineral block (such as Wonder Shells) and Plaster of Paris (as perpetuated in some backward forum posts). Also the article contrasts the chemical composition of the ocean

AQUARIUM DISEASES, TREATMENTS AND SIMILAR

*Streptococcus gram positive bacterial infections in aquariums, Eye Infections

*Fish Baths/Dips- Fish Baths/Dips for supplemental (& even primary) treatment of Bacterial infections, wounds, sores, Fungus (Saprolegnia), parasite infestations, poisoning & more.

*HITH; Hole in the Head Disease in Fish- Information that is regularly updated about this often controversial disease/syndrome that afflicts Cichlids in particular.

*Ichthyophonus in fish- Ichthyophonus (Ichthyphonus) fungi are one of the more devastating aquarium diseases. It is nearly impossible to treat, however it is easier to prevent.

*Fish Parasites, Detritus Worms, Feeding Worms - information about Trematodes and Nematodes in Fish as well as Detritus Worms, planaria, and feeding worms such as Grindal Worms.

*Angelfish Virus/Aids- Although not as common as in the 1990s, this viral infection can devestate an angelfish population (& potentially other fish)

*NEON TETRA DISEASE (Identification, prevention and possible treatment of) -Information about a fish disease that is often is often a catch all name for diseases of Neon Tetras specifically and many other fish as well.

*FRESHWATER VELVET - Piscinoodinium pillulare (also known as oodinium)- Also Information about Costia (Ichtyobodo)

*USNEA; USING USNIC ACID AS A FISH REMEDY -How Usnic acid and Mucilage which are both found in Usnea lichen can be used as effective alternative aquarium and pond fish treatments.

*What is a lateral line in fish? The functions and diseases of the lateral line. - Information about Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE) which affects primarily marine fish

*DROPSY in fish -prevention, causes, and possible treatment of this malady that is often a symptom of other problems

*Fish Anatomy- This Aquarium Answers Post is simply for fish fin and fish anatomy identification


AQUARIUM FILTER MEDIA, CONDITIONERS, SIMILAR

*Aquarium & Pond Filter Media; types, capacities and more- In this article I will discus three basic filter media types and subtypes of these.
These filter media types are Mechanical (such as Micron), Biological (Such as Ceramic Bio Media), and Chemical (such as Carbon).

*AQUARIUM (& Pond) WATER CONDITIONERS - their ingredients (where available), what chemical functions they perform and uses based on my opinions of each based on using these products in a professional capacity as well as tests and available research.

*Activated Carbon- The pros and cons of carbon use; what carbon can and cannot remove and much more


AQUARIUM & POND FILTERS, PUMPS, & OTHER EQUIPMENT

*Marine (Saltwater) Aquarium Protein Skimmers- Useful opinions about Protein Skimmers based on mine and other aquarium maintenance professionals experience.

*Aquarium and Pond Pump, Power Head Review- Useful opinions about pumps (power head, propeller, etc.) based on mine and other aquarium maintenance professionals experience.

*AQUARIUM HEATERS- Types of Aquarium Heaters, how they work, temperature guide for selecting heaters, as well general care/information.

*POND VEGGIE (PLANT FILTERS)- The four basic types of veggie filters and how to install them, based on many years experience using this method (long before it became a fad)

*Do Bio Wheels Really Work- An excellent fact based study of the often over hyped Bio Wheel.

FISH CARE, HELP, BASICS, ALGAE & MORE

*Basics of Shipping Fish- Tips and basics about shipping, Problems to be aware of, Methods and products.

*Aquarium Size, Fish Stunting- This article deals with often controversial subject where anecdotal information is most often treated as facts, such as the 1 inch per gallon rule. Regularly updated!

*Aquarium Moving- Opinions and methods for Aquarium moving based o many years experience moving aquariums both short and long distance. This article has some information in common with the Fish Shipping article.

*AQUARIUM ALGAE- Information about these algae: Brown Diatom Algae, Common Green Algae, Thread/Hair Algae, Marine Hair Algae, BBA/Black Brush Algae/Black Beard Algae/Red Algae, Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae)

*Blue green algae in aquariums (Cyanobacteria)- more in depth information that is regularly updated about Cyanobacteria.

*Betta Fish Wild Habitat & More - information about the natural habitat of the common Bettas and how it can relate to their care domestically.

*Keeping Mollies in Aquariums- Basics and water parameters for Keeping the popular molly fish in aquariums, including the importance of GH of salt.

*SEXING FISH -Basic information about sexing some freshwater fish for beginners (not an article for experts)

*Cyclops, Are these freshwater copepods dangerous in an Aquarium- Information about Cyclops and also Predatory Damselfly larvae that occasionally find their way into aquariums and especially ponds

GENERAL AQUARIUM/POND CARE INFORMATION

*CORRECT AQUARIUM SILICONE APPLICATIONS; What Silicone to use and what not to use, Aquarium Repair, Aquarium construction- Also DIY Aquarium Glass Thickness recommendations, repair video, and more.

*Aquarium Gravel/Substrate; including pictures - Aquatic substrate recommendations/basics.

Please see this Web site for vastly more articles that compliments this Aquarium Answers Website:


SUMMARY
As I also note at Aquarium & Pond Information although some of these articles/posts are more basic in nature, many are more in depth and require a thorough reading to fully understand and picking out snips without reading the full article may yield incomplete information.

A little background; when I first started writing these articles for the internet (something many of my clients asked for years), I made them VERY basic. My early feedback was rather harsh as many said it was "nothing special", then some who knew me better said that although they were still better than many in content due to less anecdotal information, they did not come close to the delivering the information they knew I could and that my constant research should be reflected. Many experts in SEO told me similar as well. So now, although some of the articles are still more basic and not all that unique, many however will have well researched information you will not find elsewhere in one location and this information is only best understood when read in full.

I will make my point as to why I feel it is so important that these articles be read in full and not in snips which can result in anecdotal or poor information dissemination;

"In the 1980s I was mentored by an Endocrinologist (MD) whom was also an avid fish keeper (mostly marine). He helped me much understand the ins and outs of medications and one time gave me an in depth medical article that he though had useful information that could be applied to fish as well. Much of the information was not readily easy to understand for me, so I skipped over many sections and gleaned the points I wanted.
Later I was making some points to the Dr. and he stopped me and said I was incorrect and if I had read the article in full, to which I replied, 'no'. He then said that there is no way I could understand this article without reading it in full and applying ALL the information contained there in".
My point is, often it is easy and unfortunately ALL too common in this hobby to read just what we want, and many web sites (such as about.com) are good at satisfying this basically lazy desire (of which I too have been guilty of), however this often leads to poor understandings of the subject or worse.

Labels: Aquarium Pond Answers Directory