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…
Why My 20cm Nano Tank Changed Everything I Thought I Knew About Aquascaping
You know what’s funny? People look at my 20cm nano tank sitting on the kitchen counter and they’re like, “Elena, that’s adorable, but what can you really do with something…
My Adventures with 20-Gallon Long Tanks – Why This Awkward Size Became My Absolute Favorite
You know, after setting up probably fifteen different tanks over the years, I keep coming back to the 20-gallon long. It’s this weird, stretched-out dimension – 30 inches long, 12…
Three Years of Rimless Tanks: Why I Can’t Go Back (Despite All the Headaches)
I never thought I’d be the kind of person who’d drop what basically amounted to a month’s rent on an empty glass box, but here we are. My introduction to…
Why I’m Obsessed with 5-Gallon Betta Tanks (And You Should Be Too)
Okay, so I know what you’re thinking – why would someone who’s got multiple tanks running choose to get excited about a measly 5-gallon setup? Trust me, I get it.…
Why I Got Obsessed with Tiny Tanks (And Why You Might Too)
I’ve got to admit something that might sound a bit weird for a guy who teaches seventh graders all day – I’m completely fascinated by miniature worlds. Maybe it’s because…
My First Paludarium Build: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started
Ever dreamed of having a slice of the Amazon rainforest in your living room? Well, that’s what building a paludarium can do for you! It’s a fascinating hobby that combines the best of both aquatic and terrestrial worlds into a single, stunning display.
If you’re like me and can’t decide between a fish tank and a terrarium, why not have both? A paludarium allows you to create a miniature ecosystem
Why I Threw Out the Watts Per Gallon Rule (And What Actually Matters for Planted Tank Lighting)
You know what’s funny? When I first got into planted aquariums for my classroom, I thought lighting was going to be the easy part. I mean, how hard could it…
How Long Your Planted Tank Will Actually Last (And What I Learned After Five Years of Mistakes)
When I first set up my planted tank after retiring from nursing, I honestly thought it would be like arranging flowers – you know, put everything in place once and…
My Complete Guide to Creating Your First Planted Tank – What I Wish I’d Known Starting Out
You know, when I first got serious about aquascaping, I thought it’d be straightforward. Pick some plants, arrange some rocks, add water – boom, underwater garden. Yeah… turns out there’s…
Why I Stopped Fighting My Overgrown Tank and Fell in Love with Jungle Aquascaping
You know how sometimes your biggest mistakes turn into your best discoveries? That’s basically how I stumbled into jungle aquascaping, and honestly, it changed everything about how I think about…
Ten Hard-Learned Tricks for Not Totally Screwing Up Your First Nano Tank
Diving into the world of nano tanks and aquascaping is like stepping into a miniature underwater wonderland. It’s a place where every leaf, pebble, and fish plays a part in creating a breathtaking, living work of art. I’ve spent countless hours immersed in this tranquil hobby, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences with you.
Aquascaping, particularly in small-scale nano tanks, is a delicate blen
Why That “Complete” Aquarium Kit Almost Killed My Confidence (And How I Actually Set Up Tanks Now)
So last week my neighbor Sarah showed up at my door looking like she was about to cry, clutching this crumpled Petco receipt. She’d just watched her brand new tank…
That Time I Built an Incredible Tank for $75 (And Why Expensive Gear is Mostly BS)
So I’m driving home from this specialty aquarium store two hours away, and I’ve got what amounts to a really expensive stick buckled into my passenger seat like it’s my…
Setting Up My First Cichlid Tank: What I Wish I’d Known About Creating the Perfect Rocky Habitat
I’ll be honest – when I first saw African cichlids at the local fish store, I thought “those look cool, I should get some.” Big mistake. Well, not entirely a…
Why My Classroom Aquarium Became My Therapy Tank (And Maybe Yours Should Too)
Ever find yourself mesmerized by the tranquil world inside a fish tank? I sure have. There’s something about the gentle sway of plants, the graceful dance of fish, and the soothing sound of bubbling water that just calms the mind. It’s no surprise that aquariums have become a popular tool for promoting mental health.
Why I Built a Half-Land, Half-Water Tank (And What I Learned From Nearly Destroying It)
Ever dreamed of having a slice of the Amazon rainforest in your living room? Well, that’s what building a paludarium can do for you! It’s a fascinating hobby that combines the best of both aquatic and terrestrial worlds into a single, stunning display.
If you’re like me and can’t decide between a fish tank and a terrarium, why not have both? A paludarium allows you to create a miniature ecosystem
Why I Fell Into the Expensive Rabbit Hole of Keeping Freshwater Stingrays
You know how sometimes you make a decision that completely changes your hobby trajectory? Like, one minute you’re a normal aquarium keeper and the next you’re explaining to your wife…
Why I Chose Walstad Tanks Over High-Tech Setups (And You Should Too)
When my daughter was about two and we were setting up our first aquarium, I was completely overwhelmed by all the equipment everyone said I needed. CO2 systems, fancy filters,…
Why I Fell in Love with 6-Gallon Tanks (And You Should Try One Too)
I’ll be honest – when I first got into aquascaping, I thought bigger was automatically better. My apartment was cramped enough without multiple tanks taking up space, so I figured…
How I Finally Figured Out Seasonal Tank Management (After Some Epic Failures)
If you’re like me, you adore your aquarium. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion. It’s a little slice of the underwater world right in your living room. But with each change of season, your aquatic friends face new challenges.
The shift in temperature and light conditions can seriously impact your aquarium’s ecosystem. It’s crucial to adjust your care routine accordingly. Let’s dive into the worl
How I Cut My Aquarium’s Environmental Impact by 80% (And Made My Tanks Way Better)
I’ve always been fascinated by the vibrant, underwater world of aquariums. But as I’ve delved deeper, I’ve realized it’s not just about creating a beautiful spectacle. It’s also about embracing eco-friendly practices that promote conservation and sustainability.
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to ensure our hobbies aren’t harming our planet. And trust me, with a bit of knowledge an
Why I Keep Coming Back to 20x20x20 Cube Tanks (Even When They Drive Me Crazy)
You know, when people ask me about cube tanks – specifically those 20x20x20 cm ones – I always get this weird mix of excitement and exasperation. Like, I want to…
Why I Switched from Freshwater to Saltwater (And the Expensive Mistakes I Made Along the Way)
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 Switched to Rimless Tanks (And Why You Might Want to Think Twice)
So I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about rimless tanks – you know, those sleek aquariums without the plastic frame around the top. People see photos of these…
I Tried Building My First Pico Tank and It Was a Beautiful Disaster
Oh man, pico tanks. Where do I even start? They’re like the bonsai trees of the aquarium world – beautiful, meditative, and absolutely guaranteed to humble you in ways you…
Why I Finally Broke Down and Got a Pond Skimmer (And You Probably Should Too)
You know how sometimes you think you’ve got everything figured out, and then life throws you a curveball? That’s basically what happened when we decided to add a small pond…
Why I’m Obsessed with 5-Gallon Tanks (And You Should Be Too)
Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard someone call a 5-gallon tank “challenging,” I laughed. Like, come on, it’s tiny. How hard could it be compared to managing…
Why I Switched Between Tall and Shallow Tanks (And What I Learned the Hard Way)
You know, I never thought much about tank dimensions when I first got into aquascaping. That inherited 55-gallon classroom tank was what it was – a standard rectangular setup that…
Setting Up My First 50cm Tank: Why Small Aquascapes Are Actually the Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done
So I’ve been messing around with aquariums for a few years now, right? Started with that basic 10-gallon setup during COVID, moved up to some bigger tanks, thought I had…
How I Set Up My First Planted Tank (And What I Wish Someone Had Told Me)
So there I was, staring at this empty 55-gallon tank that my colleague was about to toss in the dumpster, thinking “how hard could this be?” Famous last words, right?…
Why I’m Obsessed with 5-Gallon Tanks (And You Should Be Too)
You know what’s funny? Everyone assumes bigger tanks are easier, but honestly, my 5-gallon-betta-tank-aquascape-creating-a-perfect-micro-habitat-for-your-betta-2/”>5-gallon-betta-tank-aquascape-creating-a-perfect-micro-habitat-for-your-betta-2/”>5-gallon-betta-tank-aquascape-creating-a-perfect-micro-habitat-for-your-betta-2/”>5-gallon-masterpiece-creating-an-award-winning-nano-planted-aquascape/”>5-gallon-betta-tank-aquascape-creating-a-perfect-micro-habitat-for-your-betta-2/”>5-gallon-masterpiece-creating-an-award-winning-nano-planted-aquascape/”>5-gallon-betta-tank-aquascape-creating-a-perfect-micro-habitat-for-your-betta-2/”>5-gallon setups have taught me more about aquascaping than any of my larger tanks ever did. There’s…