My Eight-Year Journey with African Water Ferns (And Why I Almost Gave Up)
Looking back at my aquascaping notes from 2016, I can see where I wrote “Bolbitis = DISASTER” in red pen with about five underlines. Yeah, that was after my first…
Building My First Outdoor Pond – What I Learned Moving Aquascaping Outside
Three weeks ago my neighbor Sarah basically ambushed me at my front door with what she described as “either brilliant or completely insane.” She’d been staring at her depressingly bland…
How I Finally Stopped Killing Cube Tanks (And Transformed My 20-Gallon Into Something My Kids Actually Want to Watch)
Man, I used to be absolutely terrible at cube tanks. Like, spectacularly bad. My first attempt was this poor little 10-gallon that I basically turned into an underwater hoarder’s paradise…
How I Learned to Pick Fish That Actually Work in Planted Tanks (After Some Expensive Mistakes)
You know what nobody tells you when you’re starting out with aquascaping? That choosing fish is way more complicated than just picking the prettiest ones at the pet store. I…
Why I Fell Hard for 6-Gallon Cube Tanks (And You Should Too)
You know, when I first got into aquascaping a few years back during my whole life-falling-apart phase, I thought bigger was automatically better. I mean, that makes sense, right? More…
I Tried Mangrove Roots in My Nano Tank and Here’s What Actually Happened
So I’ve been scrolling through aquascaping Instagram again (productive use of my evening, obviously) and kept seeing these incredible setups with these twisty, branch-like structures that looked like underwater trees.…
Why I’ve Obsessed Over 15+ Tank Setups (And What Actually Matters)
You know that feeling when you’re standing in a pet store, surrounded by empty glass boxes, and somehow they all look identical? I used to think picking an aquarium was…
How I Learned to Stop Overthinking Tank Selection and Actually Pick One That Works
You know that feeling when you’re standing in a fish store, completely overwhelmed by rows of empty tanks, and the employee keeps asking what you’re looking for? Yeah, that was…
How I Learned to Shrink the Amazon (And Other Ecosystems) Into My Kitchen Counter
I was scrolling through Reddit at 2 AM (as you do when you should be sleeping) when this photo stopped me dead in my tracks. Someone had crammed what looked…
Why I Keep Coming Back to 5-Gallon Planted Tanks (And You Should Try One Too)
You know, after all these years of setting up aquariums – I’ve lost count, honestly, maybe forty or fifty tanks at this point – there’s something about a 5-gallon planted…
How I Made My Dream Tanks for Under $100 Each (And You Can Too)
Okay, so I need to confess something embarrassing that’s been eating at me for months. I was scrolling through one of my aquascaping Facebook groups – you know, the fancy…
I’ve Built Seven Different Ecosystems in My Living Room (And Why Pictures From the Internet Just Don’t Cut It)
Last August I found myself lying face-down in swamp muck somewhere in the Florida Everglades, trying to get my camera close enough to the water to capture how the light…
Why I’m Obsessed with the Fluval Spec 5 Gallon (And You Should Be Too)
Look, I’ll be honest—when I first saw the Fluval Spec 5 Gallon sitting on the shelf at my local aquarium store, I almost walked right past it. Coming from someone…
Setting Up My First 50cm Tank: What I Learned About Mid-Size Aquascaping (And Why It’s Harder Than You Think)
Man, I thought I knew what I was doing when I decided to set up my first 50cm tank last semester. I mean, I’d been keeping planted tanks for a…
My 5-Gallon Tank Journey: Why Small Spaces Make the Biggest Impact
You know, when I told my spouse I wanted to set up another tank – this time a 5-gallon for the kitchen – they just rolled their eyes and said…
Why I Love Setting Up 20-Liter Tanks (And How You Can Too)
You know what? I used to think bigger was always better when it came to aquariums. My first classroom tank was that massive 55-gallon beast, and I figured more space…
Why I Finally Caved and Added CO2 to My Nano Tanks (And What I Learned the Hard Way)
You know that feeling when you’ve been doing something for months, thinking you’ve got it figured out, and then you realize you’ve been missing like… the most important piece of…
Why I Stopped Being a Snob About Tank Decorations (And You Should Too)
I used to be one of those aquascaping purists who’d get physically uncomfortable watching someone add a plastic treasure chest to their tank. You know the type – the person…
My Journey from Dutch Chaos to Iwagumi Zen (And Why I Can’t Pick Just One)
So I’ve been deep into this aquascaping thing for a few years now, and honestly? I keep going back and forth between two completely different styles that couldn’t be more…
That Time I Nearly Boiled My First Planted Tank (And What I Learned About Lighting)
Okay, so picture this: me, three years ago, standing in front of my brand new 29-gallon tank with what I thought was going to be the most amazing planted setup…
Why I Started With Nano Tanks (And Maybe You Should Too)
You know, after spending thirty-two years dealing with life-and-death situations in the ER, I thought I’d seen everything that could go wrong in a small space. Turns out I was…
I Tried Using Reef Lights on My Freshwater Tanks and Here’s What Actually Happened
So I’ve been doing this whole aquascaping thing for about three years now, and you know how it is—you start getting comfortable with your setup, plants are growing okay, fish…
Why Betta Tanks Made Me Rethink Everything I Knew About Aquascaping
I’ll be honest – my first betta tank was absolutely terrible. We’re talking a basic ten-gallon setup with plastic plants, a treasure chest that bubbled (because apparently that’s what fish…
How I Finally Figured Out Why My Nano Tanks Looked So… Flat (And What Fixed Them)
You know that feeling when you see an absolutely gorgeous aquascape online and think “I can totally do that,” then you set up your own tank and it just looks……
Why I Keep Coming Back to 20-Gallon Tanks (And Why You Should Too)
I’ve been setting up aquascapes for about five years now, and you know what? I keep coming back to the 20-gallon size. Started with one when I first got into…
Why I Started With Freshwater and Eventually Couldn’t Resist Saltwater (Spoiler: Both Kicked My Butt)
Ever found yourself standing in front of an aquarium store, eyeing the vibrant saltwater tanks and the serene freshwater setups, unable to decide which one’s for you? Well, you’re not alone. I’ve been there and I know how tough the saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium debate can get.
In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of both types of aquariums. From the dazzling diversity of saltwate
Eight Years of Competition Tanks: What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes
That first competition tank nearly killed my confidence before I even knew I had any. I’m standing there at my local fish store’s annual contest, watching other people’s pristine layouts…
How I Created My First Jungle-Style Aquascape (And Why It Almost Failed)
Okay, so I need to tell you about my jungle aquascape – the one that nearly turned into a complete disaster but somehow ended up being one of my favorite…
Why I Ditched Pretty Tanks for Real Ecosystems (And You Should Too)
So I’m scrolling through aquascaping Instagram at 2 AM like a normal person (don’t judge), and I stumble across this video of someone’s tank that just… stopped me cold. It…
Eight Bucks, One Tiny Tank, and Learning Why Size Actually Matters
I wasn’t supposed to buy another tank. I mean, I’d already had the conversation with myself about being at capacity in my one-bedroom apartment. Five tanks was enough – more…
The Daily Grind of Keeping My Tanks Beautiful (And Why I Actually Love It)
You know, when people visit and see my aquariums for the first time, they always say the same thing: “Wow, these are gorgeous! They must be so relaxing.” And they…
Why Your Beautiful Tank Turns Into a Swamp (And How I Learned to Stop It)
You know what nobody tells you when you’re setting up your first planted tank? That the setup is actually the easy part. I mean, sure, arranging rocks and planting stems…
Why My First Reef Tank Was a $1,200 Lesson in Humility
Diving into the world of reef tanks and marine aquascaping is like stepping into an underwater paradise. It’s an art form that’s as captivating as it is complex. I’ve spent countless hours marveling at the vibrant corals, meticulously arranging them to create a seascape that’s as beautiful as it is balanced.
The beauty of a reef tank goes beyond just aesthetics. It’s about understanding the delica
Why I’m Obsessed with 20-Gallon Cubes (And You Should Be Too)
Okay, so I need to talk about 20-gallon cube tanks because honestly? They’ve become my absolute favorite size to work with, and I’ve tried pretty much everything at this point.…
Why I Keep Coming Back to 5-Gallon Tanks (Even After Multiple Disasters)
You know what’s funny? When I tell people I’ve got four tanks at home plus the classroom setup, they always assume I’m working with these massive 75-gallon showpieces. But honestly?…
How I Accidentally Turned My Home Into an Aquarium Zoo (And Why My Kids Love It)
You know that moment when you realize your hobby has completely taken over your life? Yeah, I’m sitting here writing this while my two-year-old is making fish faces at our…
My Three-Year Journey with Freshwater Puffer Fish – What No One Tells You About These Tiny Terrors
You know that moment when you see something at the pet store and think “there’s no way that’s actually what they say it is”? That’s exactly what happened when I…
When Your Tank Becomes a Horror Movie: Fighting the Creepy Crawlies Nobody Asked For
Ever been mesmerized by the tranquil beauty of your aquarium, only to spot an unwelcome critter lurking in the shadows? I know I have! It’s a common problem faced by aquarists worldwide. From snails that seem to appear out of nowhere, to parasites that latch onto your precious fish, aquarium pests can turn your underwater paradise into a nightmare.
But don’t panic just yet! Identifying and eradica
My Switch from Freshwater to Saltwater: Building Reef Structures That Actually Work
You know, after spending years arranging driftwood and rocks in freshwater tanks, I thought I had this whole aquascaping thing figured out. Then my neighbor asked if I could help…
My Journey Into Pico Tanks: Why I’m Obsessed with These Tiny Glass Worlds
You know how some people collect vintage vinyl or fancy coffee mugs? Well, I collect tiny aquariums. And when I say tiny, I mean seriously small – we’re talking about…
My Journey Creating Betta Tanks That Actually Work (After Years of Spectacular Failures)
I’ll be honest with you – I killed my first three betta fish. Not on purpose, obviously, but through sheer ignorance about what these little guys actually need to thrive.…
Why I’m Obsessed with 20×20 Tanks (And You Should Be Too)
Look, I know what you’re thinking – a 20×20 tank sounds tiny and limiting. Trust me, I thought the same thing when I first started messing around with these little…
Why I’m Obsessed with 20cm Tanks (And You Should Be Too)
So I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about my tiny cube tank setup on my kitchen counter – the 20cm one that fits perfectly next to my coffee…
Why I Switched Between Freshwater, Saltwater, and Brackish Tanks (And What I Learned)
Look, I’ll be honest – when I first got into aquascaping during COVID lockdown, I thought water was just… water. I mean, you fill up a tank, add some plants…
Why I Keep Coming Back to 5-Gallon Tanks (Even Though They Drive Me Crazy)
You know what’s funny? I’ve probably set up more 5-gallon tanks than any other size, and honestly, they’re kind of a pain in the ass. But there’s something about working…
Why My 4-Foot Tank Became My Favorite Project (And How I Finally Got It Right)
I’ve set up tanks ranging from tiny 5-gallon desktop cubes to what my landlord nervously calls “that big one” – my 75-gallon monster – but honestly, my 4-foot tank remains…
Why My 7-Gallon Tank Became My Favorite Project (And How You Can Make Yours Amazing Too)
I’ll be honest – when I first heard someone talking about aquascaping a 7-gallon tank, I kinda rolled my eyes. I mean, come on, how much can you really do…
The Invisible Army: Why Bacteria Are Your Tank’s Best Friends (And How I Learned This the Hard Way)
You know what’s funny? I can spend hours obsessing over whether my Rotala is pruned just right or if my hardscape has the perfect golden ratio proportions, but for years…
That Time My Nano Tank Setup Made Me Realize I Needed a Proper Pond Skimmer (And How I Finally Installed One)
So this is gonna sound weird, but my obsession with pond skimmers actually started because of my tiny 6-gallon desktop tank. I know, I know – completely different scales, totally…
How My Classroom Tanks Change With the Seasons (And Why That Actually Matters)
You know what’s funny? Most people think my classroom aquariums are just these static displays – pretty to look at, sure, but basically the same thing all year round. I…