Aquariums Archives - Warehouse Aquatics

10 fish tank maintenance tips

Lottie — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 08:00:22 +0000

If you’re new to fishkeeping, these 10 tips should help you keep your fish and aquarium in their best health.

1. Choose the right size fish tank

When choosing a fish tank size, there are two main factors to keep in mind.

1. Your available space. Measure the space you have for a fish tank – you don’t want to buy an aquarium that’s too big. But don’t be fooled into thinking that smaller is easier. Smaller fish tanks actually require more maintenance than large fish tanks. So, if you have room for something a little bigger than you originally imagined, fill that space.

2. How many fish you want to keep / how large you’d like these fish to be. Overcrowding can lead to aggression, stress, and disease in fish, so you’ll need a tank large enough for the number of fish you’d like to keep / the species you’d like to keep.

Our blog post What size fish tank do you need? explains how to work out how much space you need for a fish tank and which fish can live in which size tank.

2. Choose fish who will be happy living together

When deciding which fish to buy, research which species are compatible. Some fish can be territorial or aggressive, so check which fish can live peacefully together before buying.

3. Cycle and condition your aquarium water

Your fish tank water needs the right properties to keep fish healthy. You need to add microorganisms to your aquarium that will break down waste and keep the water safe for fish.

Lots of fish tank kits come with the conditioning solutions you need to prepare your fish tank, but you can also buy these solutions separately.

Make sure you have:

Cycling fish tank water can take some time, so let your fish tank run for at least seven days with all the necessary solutions before adding fish.

4. Test your water quality

Test your water quality to make sure the pH balance and chemical levels are right before introducing fish.

A water testing kit will help you check your fish tank for pH and the right levels of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia.

5. Check the temperature of your fish tank

Your fish tank water needs to be the right temperature for your fish. Major changes to the water temperature can be fatal to fish, so it’s important to get this right.

While coldwater fish don’t need a heater and can live in water of around 18℃, tropical and marine fish typically need water of around 27℃. You will need a fish tank heater to sustain this temperature.

Our blog post on how to set up a fish tank for tropical fish can help you get this right.

6. Introduce fish to the tank gradually

Introducing fish straight into a new tank can distress them. Instead, float your fish in your tank in the bag(s) of water that you brought them home in.

Leave the bag(s) to float for around 20 minutes. Every five minutes, add around a quarter of a cup of your aquarium water into the sealed bag. Then, open the bag(s) and let your new fish swim out in their own time.

This process combines the chemistry and temperature of your fish tank with the chemistry and temperature of the fishes’ original tank, reducing the risk of your fish feeling agitated.

7. Complete regular water changes

Regularly changing 25 to 50% of your fish tank will keep the aquarium clean for your fish and get rid of debris and waste, which can distress fish and lead to illness.

The smaller your fish tank, the more regularly you’ll need to complete a water change. This is because it’s harder to maintain the right pH and chemical levels in a small tank.

While a small fish tank will likely need a water change every one to three weeks, you can probably leave a larger tank for four to five weeks between water changes.

Keep an eye on how quickly your tank accumulates dirt and adjust your water change schedule accordingly.

Bonus Tip

You can use a siphon to make removing water from your fish tank easier and quicker.

8. Clean out algae

Algae may build up on the inside of your fish tank (and on items inside the fish tank). Algae creates a swampy, murky look and reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, which can be damaging for fish and plants.

Use cleaning tools like an algae scraper, algae pad, or algae magnet to clean algae off your tank, ornaments, rocks, and plants.

You can also buy an algae treatment to get rid of excessive algae.

You can reduce algae growth in your fish tank by ensuring the aquarium is out of direct sunlight. While it’s important for your fish to get some natural light, too much sunlight can lead to excessive algae growth.

In fact, fish should only get up to 12 hours of light a day – after all, their natural habitat is pretty dark.

Our blog post Where’s the best place to put a fish tank? should help you find an ideal spot, out of direct sunlight.

9. Don’t overfeed your fish

Overfeeding your fish can lead to an excess of waste and debris in the tank, not to mention algae growth, all of which can cause water quality problems and a lack of oxygen.

Most fish don’t need a lot of food to live healthily. One or two feeds a day should be fine, although this depends on your species and how many fish are in your tank. Either way, don’t feed your fish more than they can eat in a few minutes.

As long as your fish don’t show any of the following symptoms, you’re feeding them enough:

Digging around in the substrate for food.
Waiting and the top of the aquarium for feeding time.
Acting aggressively towards other fish.
Acting slow or sluggish.
Losing weight.

10. Look out for signs of fish illness

If your fish fall ill, you’ll have better chances of curing the illness the earlier you catch the disease.

Look out for:

Changes in your fishes’ eating patterns.
Slow or sluggish behaviour.
Flakes or bulges on the skin.
Abnormal inflammation.

If you notice these signs of illness, we have an array of fish treatments to help cure your fish.

With these tips in mind, you should be ready to buy your fish tank.

About Warehouse Aquatics

The Warehouse Aquatics mission is to offer the most choice at the best prices when it comes to your fishes’ wellbeing. We use the products on our website ourselves and are well-versed in all things fish, so we can give you all the advice you need. We’re not just here to sell aquatic supplies. We’re also here to guide you through your journey as a fish owner and enthusiast.

As a small team, we love to hear from our customers, so please do join the Warehouse Aquatics social media community. We’re always up for a chat, and we’d love to share your aquarium photos with our followers.

The post 10 fish tank maintenance tips appeared first on Warehouse Aquatics.

What is a fish tank pump and why do you need one?

Lottie — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 08:00:45 +0000

Just as humans need air to breathe, fish need water circulation and aeration. And a pump is essential to ensure your fish get the oxygen and nutrients they need.

What are the different types of fish tank pumps?

There are two main types of fish tank pumps:

Air pumps, which oxygenate water to keep fish and plants alive. An air pump adds air to the fish tank through airline tubing in the form of bubbles. The pump sits outside of the fish tank, above the water surface.
Water pumps, which increase water movement in a fish tank or move water from one place to another, like from a sump to a fish tank. These pumps aerate fish tanks by producing a current that allows air to enter the water.

Fish tank water pumps

What is a fish tank water pump and how does it work?

A fish tank water pump aerates and circulates water to keep fish healthy.

The pump creates a current that feeds the water in the fish tank through the filter. The constant flow of the current distributes nutrients evenly throughout the fish tank, which helps prevent disease in fish.

In the middle of a water pump, an electric motor spins an impeller (one or two plates surrounding a series of vanes), producing kinetic energy.

An intake port sucks water in, and the kinetic energy from the impeller transfers to the water. The energy forces the water into the fish tank, and the water circulates into the filter, making its way back into the pump.

The current keeps all the water in motion, preventing stagnant water.

Do you need a fish tank water pump?

Small tanks don’t typically need water pumps, which are usually more beneficial to larger aquariums. So, if you have a small fish tank, an aquarium filter is likely all you need. If you have a larger fish tank, buying a water pump is a good idea.

If you’re not sure whether you need a water pump, keep an eye out for algae growth or sluggish fish. These are signs of low circulation, in which case a water pump may be your solution.

How should you clean your water pump?

To clean your water pump:

Turn off the water pump and unplug the power source.
If you have an external pump, remove the inlet and outlet tubing.
If your pump is in a sump, remove it from the sump and controller.
Remove the main housing from the water pump. You may be able to twist this off, but some pumps contain screws.
Remove the impeller and clean this and the pump housing with fresh water.
If there is calcium on the pump, mix one part muriatic acid with three parts citric acid. Soak the pump in this solution and rinse.
Dry the pump.
Reassemble the pump.
Reconnect the power (and tubing if necessary).

Bonus Tip

You should clean your water pump at least every four to six months. Some pumps require more frequent maintenance, so make sure you check the manual.

If you have a reef tank, you’ll need to clean your pump every two to three months.

Fish tank air pumps

What is a fish tank air pump and how does it work?

A fish tank air pump injects air into the water in your fish tank.

The pump forces oxygen into the water, and carbon dioxide releases into the water (with the help of surface agitation). The pump causes this surface agitation by displacing the water with air bubbles.

Do you need a fish tank air pump?

Small fish tanks don’t usually need an air pump. But the more fish in your aquarium, the higher the chemical imbalance in the water may be, making an air pump a good idea.

Similarly, cold-water tanks don’t typically need an air pump. But oxygen levels in warm water can decrease, so fish that live in warm water can benefit from an increased oxygen flow.

If you have live plants in your fish tank, buying an air pump could also be a good idea. Plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen during the day. But this process reverses at night, which can see plants diminish the oxygen levels in the water while raising CO2 levels. In this situation, an air pump can keep oxygen levels up.

If in doubt, buy an air pump if your fish don’t seem to be getting enough oxygen and show the following symptoms:

Resting more than usual.
Swimming to the top of the tank for oxygen (although this could mean the water contains too much ammonia – test your water to check).
Moving their gills quickly.

An air pump can also agitate some kinds of fish, like bettas, so check before you invest.

Do you need an airstone with an air pump?

When you buy an air pump, you’ll also need an airstone. These stones, made of porous stones or limewood, reduce the size of the large bubbles that the air pump produces to make them a friendlier size for fish.

An airstone:

Increases water circulation.
Increases surface agitation, forcing more oxygen into the tank.
Reduces noise.
Reduces the size of bubbles that come from the air pump.

In short, an airstone improves oxygen levels and reduces stress for fish.

What is a good flow rate for your fish tank pump?

Your pump’s flow rate should be at least three times higher than your fish tank volume. So, if your fish tank holds 180 litres, like the Juwel Rio 180 (which comes with a water pump), you’ll need a water pump that has a flow rate of at least 540 litres per hour.

You’ll also need to accommodate any obstacles in your fish tank that can slow down your flow rate. Consider the height of the pump head, indirect plumbing routes, and the size of the inlet/outlet tubing.

To be on the safe side, you could buy a water pump with a flow rate that is higher than three times your fish tank’s volume.

That said, be careful not to buy a water pump with a flow rate that is too high for your fish tank. An overly high flow rate can cause too much circulation, which can harm fish or force water out of the aquarium.

Lots of pumps have adjustable flow rates and timers so you can set your flow rate in line with your tank size.

Does your fish tank pump need to run constantly?

Whether you have a water or air pump, this should run all the time in your fish tank. The pump offers life support for fish and plants, so leave it turned on.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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Everything you need to know about fish tank backgrounds

Lottie — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 08:00:18 +0000

If you’re decorating your fish tank, you’ve probably come across fish tank backgrounds. But what are these posters and 3D backdrops? Why are they a good idea? And what do you need to know about them?

What are fish tank backgrounds?

There are two main types of fish tank backgrounds:

1. Posters that you can cut to size and insert into your aquarium. These fish tank posters usually come on a roll and may be double-sided.

2. 3D fish tank backgrounds that you can fit or glue inside your aquarium. These textured backdrops are usually modular, which means you can expand them.

Designs usually feature ocean water, cliff drops, and rockeries. We’ve written another blog post on our top four fish tank backgrounds, where you can find inspo for your aquarium.

Bonus Tip

It’s best to insert your fish tank background before you add fish to your tank. Your aquarium needs to be empty when you install your background, so, if you already have fish, they’ll need somewhere to stay while you install your background.

Why should you buy a fish tank background?

Here are our top six reasons to buy a fish tank background for your aquarium.

1. Create a theme for your fish tank

Your fish tank background can play a huge part in your aquarium theme. For example, our trimmable poster seascape background can help you create an under-the-sea theme. (You’ll need an adhesive like Juwel Decoration Poster Fix to attach a background like this.) Meanwhile, our expandable Juwel Cliff Dark, Cliff Light, and Stone Clay backgrounds can help you create an authentic rock-themed design. (You’ll need an adhesive like Juwel Decoration Conexo to fit these backgrounds.

2. Enhance the appearance of your fish tank

Teamed with rocks, stones, pebbles, shells, plants, coral, and/or ornaments, a fish tank background can help you add depth and a touch of nature to your aquarium.

3. Stop fish from feeling agitated

Some fish feel distressed when they see their reflections in aquarium glass. A fish tank background can prevent this. Put your background on two or three sides of your fish tank to minimise the chances of your fish seeing their reflections.

4. Hide wires and equipment

While fish tanks can be tranquil to look at, they do need equipment like tubes and a filter and pump to keep fish healthy. These aren’t always the prettiest to look at, but an aquarium background can help you hide them. (Alternatively, if you have a Juwel internal filter, you could cover this with a two-piece Juwel filter cover, which is available in cliff- and stone-clay designs.

5. Recreate your fishes’ natural habitat

In the ocean, fish spend a lot of time in a dark blue-black environment. You can recreate this habitat with an authentic fish tank background. (However, this isn’t ideal in a small tank…but more on that later.)

6. Make a small fish tank look bigger

A white fish tank background can make your aquarium appear bigger than it really is. These backgrounds can also accentuate and showcase your fish, helping them stand out.

Is a fish tank background right for your aquarium?

Before you buy a fish tank background, consider these three points to check whether a background is right for your aquarium.

1. Fish tank size

If you have a small aquarium that is already full of plants and ornaments, adding a dark background could limit the amount of light that your fish get. If you have a medium or large fish tank, aquarium backgrounds shouldn’t be a problem, though.

2. Fish tank placement

If the back of your fish tank faces a wall, an aquarium background is probably a good idea. But if your fish tank is in the middle of a room, the reverse side of a fish tank poster won’t give you a great view. In this case, stick to the plants and pretty substrate.

3. Fish health

Make sure you buy a fish tank background that is safe for aquarium life. If you don’t buy a proper background from a reputable shop, you could disrupt the chemical balance in your aquarium. (All of our fish tank backgrounds are safe for fish.)

Ready to choose your fish tank background?

About Warehouse Aquatics

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Our four favourite fish tank backgrounds

Lottie — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:13:41 +0000

There are plenty of ways to decorate and personalise your fish tank. But one of the easiest, most striking ways to transform your aquarium is to buy a fish tank background. These backgrounds offer a unique way to bring depth, colour, and theme to any aquarium.

What are fish tank backgrounds?

While some fish tank backgrounds are like giant posters for your fish, others are 3D textured backdrops that you can fit or glue inside your aquarium.

Our fish tank backgrounds include scenes of ocean water, cliff drops, and rockeries. So, whether you’re after a stick-on ocean backdrop or a 3D rock formation, we have a fish tank background that can help you create your under-the-sea vision.

Not only do these backdrops provide a scene that brings your fish tank to life, but they’re also great for hiding your heater tubes and filter.

Our four favourite fish tank backgrounds

These are just a few of our favourite fish tank backgrounds.

1. Juwel fish tank backgrounds

This stone granite fish tank background from Juwel can help you create a striking rock structure for your aquarium. The natural grey tones and the background’s illusion of depth give this backdrop an authentic feel.

This background measures 60 x 55 cm, and you can cut the background to fit your fish tank, making it easy to install inside your tank. The background also has a modular design, which makes it expandable.

We stock variations of this Juwel fish tank background, including the Cliff Dark, Cliff Light, and Stone Clay designs.

Bonus Tip

We recommend attaching this background with Juwel Decoration Conexo.

2. Juwel rear wall posters

This double-sided fish tank poster from Juwel gives you two backdrops for your aquarium, which you might like to switch between each time you do a water change.

Choose between a natural rocky scene and a bright underwater landscape with mixed vegetation.

This fish tank poster measures 150 x 60 cm. Like the Juwel fish tank backgrounds above, you can cut this poster to size. However, these posters attach to the back wall of your fish tank rather than slotting inside the tank.

We also stock variations of this Juwel rear wall poster, including a:

Bonus Tip

We recommend attaching this poster with Juwel Decoration Poster Fix.

3. Juwel filter covers

If you’re interested in covering your Juwel internal filter without inserting a background that will fill your fish tank, a Juwel filter cover is perfect for you.

We love this two-piece Juwel filter cover, which features a ‘Cliff Dark’ design that replicates the appearance and texture of a cliff.

We also stock variations of this Juwel filter cover, including the Cliff Light and Stone Clay designs.

This filter cover measures 55 x 18 cm.

4. Back to Nature rocks

Fishkeepers who are looking to design a natural fish tank will love Back to Nature’s rock aquarium backgrounds.

These slim backgrounds are approximately 10 mm thick and come in two colours: Red Rock and White Limestone.

These backgrounds are available in heights of 45 cm for 50 cm fish tanks and 55 cm for 60 cm fish tanks. Each height comprises four sections that you can interlock to cover the back of virtually any fish tank.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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The nitrogen cycle in your fish tank explained

Lottie — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:02:03 +0000

As fish tanks are closed environments, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates collect in the water and can cause fish diseases. Although these compounds build up in all fish tanks as part of the nitrogen cycle, overcrowding and overfeeding your fish can cause a particularly large build-up of compounds that contain nitrogen. So, how can you keep your fish healthy and limit the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in your tank?

Here, we’ll explain how the nitrogen cycle works and explain how to keep nitrates down with a good filtration system.

What is the nitrogen cycle?

Outside of fish tanks, the nitrogen cycle is the process of nitrogen moving from the air to plants, then animals, then bacteria, and then back to air. Although this system doesn’t need human intervention in the outside world, the cycle works differently in the confines of a fish tank. This is because nitrates convert into harmless nitrogen gas in open spaces. But this doesn’t happen in fish tanks, so partial water changes are essential.

The three stages of the nitrogen cycle

In a fish tank, the nitrogen cycle is a biochemical mechanism that causes the ongoing degradation of nitrogenous compounds like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Put simply, there are three stages in this cycle.

Ammonia

Bacteria in your fish tank break down waste products like uneaten food, dead organisms, dead plant leaves, and fish waste. As the bacteria break this matter down, the metabolism of protein produces ammonia, a colourless gas that is harmful to fish. Even low levels of ammonia in your fish tank can cause oxygen deprivation and possibly burn your fishes’ gills.

Nitrite

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria called Nitrosomonas then consume the ammonia in your tank, producing nitrite, which is also harmful to fish. Nitrite disrupts your fishes’ oxygen-carrying capabilities. However, most fish can cope with double the quantity of nitrite in the water than they can ammonia.

Nitrate

During the third stage of the nitrogen cycle, bacteria called Nitrobacter process the nitrite and release nitrate, which is less harmful. Although nitrate isn’t harmful at a low level, a higher level can pose danger to your fish.

Removing nitrates from your fish tank

You can manage the nitrogen cycle in your fish tank by:

Using a biological filtration system. Your fish tank filter will contain sponges that aid the growth of healthy bacteria. These bacteria are essential to the nitrogen cycle because they break down the nitrites and ammonia produced by fish waste, as well as decaying organic matter. This is key to keeping the water safe for your fish.
Adding live plants to fight nitrates.
Removing waste and uneaten food from your fish tank. A gravel cleaner can be helpful here.
Putting less fish food in your tank. Only give your fish enough food for them to eat within a couple of minutes.
Carrying out regular water changes to manage nitrates.

You can also buy test kits to check the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in your fish tank.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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How much does it cost to own fish?

Lottie — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:50:33 +0000

If you’re thinking about buying your first fish, you might be wondering how much it costs to own fish and all the equipment needed to run a healthy tank. Unsurprisingly, the cost can vary depending on lots of factors. We’ll talk you through these factors here.

How much does a fish tank cost?

Fish tanks come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s no surprise that price varies hugely. Our lowest-priced tanks are our 17-litre Ciano aquariums, which come in white and black. At just over £40, these fish tanks come with a pre-fitted filter and LED strip light.

At the other end of the scale, we stock a variety of high-end fish tanks that come with cabinets designed explicitly for these aquariums. A couple of examples include our Juwel Vision 450 range of aquariums and cabinets, which starts at £1,453, and our Eheim range of luxury aquariums, which starts at £1,389.

How much do fish tank filters, heaters, and pumps cost?

You can buy different types of fish tank filters, like powered filters, under gravel filters, and sponge filters, depending on your tank. These filters range in price from £7–£38.

Meanwhile, fish tank heaters range in price from £10–£39. But you only need a heater if you’re keeping tropical fish. Coldwater fish don’t need a heater.

You can also buy an air pump for extra aeration and oxygen or to power a funky ornament. You can pick up air pumps for £11–£41.

How much do fish tank decorations and substrates cost?

When you come to decorate your fish tank, we stock loads of substrates, fish tank backgrounds, ornaments, plants, stones, pebbles, rocks, LifeRock, driftwood, shells, corals, leaves, and ceramic nature. This means you can decorate your aquarium on virtually any budget.

Our fish tank backgrounds cost £1–£60.
Our substrates, sands, and live sands cost £4–£46.
Our fish tank ornaments cost £3–£28.
Our artificial plants cost £2–£5.
Our stones, pebbles, rocks, and LifeRock cost £5–£203.
Our fish tank driftwood costs £3–£83.
Our artificial corals cost £3–£27.
Our leaves cost £5–£10.
Our shells cost £4–£7.
Our ceramic nature costs £5–£13.

How much do fish treatments and test kits cost?

Fishkeepers have to test their aquarium water and treat their fish from time to time. We stock a variety of dechlorinators, bacteria filter starters, water conditioners, water quality test kits, algae treatments, and fish disease treatments to help you with this.

Our dechlorinators range from £2–£25.
Our bacteria filter starters range from £2–£46.
Our water conditioners range from £2–£50.
Our test kits range from £5–£50.
Our algae treatments range from £3–£11.
Our fish disease treatments range from £3–£138.

How much do fish tank lights cost?

Almost all fish tanks come with light tubes, so you don’t need to worry about this added cost. However, we do stock replacement T5, T8, and LED bulbs. These bulbs range in price from £6–£31.

Read about the difference between these bulbs here.

How much does fish food cost?

We stock an array of fish foods for goldfish, tropical fish, marine fish, and shrimp. We also stock holiday feeders for while you’re away. These foods range in price from £1–£4 per tub or sachet.

How much do fish cost?

Much like aquatics equipment, fish can cost virtually anything. That said, you can pick up most starter fish for up to a few pounds each. And the smaller your tank, the fewer fish you can keep. Bigger fish can cost much more and even enter the hundreds.

So, how much does it cost to keep fish?

You can decide how much to invest in keeping fish. While some of our customers are huge fish hobbyists who purchase high-end fish tanks and advanced filtration systems and treatments, other customers prefer a more traditional approach to fishkeeping.

With our supplies, you can spend well under £100 to set up a fully functioning fish tank. But you might decide to splash out and treat your fish to some luxuries too.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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How to decorate your fish tank

Lottie — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 11:39:16 +0000

Lots of people who are thinking about buying a fish tank imagine how they’d like their aquarium to look when they finally decorate it. After all, a fish tank adds a certain tranquillity to pretty much any room. That said, when it comes to decorating your aquarium, your options are endless. And finding a way to decorate your fish tank in a way that’s both beautiful and functional can be challenging.

So, here, we’ll share some ideas to get you started.

Fish tank backgrounds

One of the first things to think about when planning to decorate your fish tank is whether you’d like a fish tank background. Some are like giant posters, and others are 3D textured backdrops that you can fit or glue inside your tank. Not only do these backdrops provide a scene that brings your fish tank to life, but they can also hide your filter and heater tubes. Our fish tank backgrounds include scenes of cliff drops, ocean water, and rockeries.

Fish tank substrates

You also need to decide on a substrate to decorate the bottom of your fish tank. You have a few options here, and your decision should be as much about function as aesthetics. This is because fish tank substrates encourage healthy bacteria colonies that aid filtration. Function aside, our substrates come in a range of textures and colours to suit any aquarium design.

Sand is one of the most popular substrates for fresh and saltwater tanks. Not only is sand ideal for beneficial bacteria that keep your fish tank water healthy, but it looks natural and beachy, an aesthetic that lots of fishkeepers want.
Live sand is a fantastic option for marine fish tanks as it’s full of strains of marine bacteria as well as the usual healthy bacterias. It also shares the beachy look of standard fish tank sand.
Gravel is another popular choice, ideal for freshwater tanks. It’s durable, only needs occasional rinsing, and comes in an array of bright, tropical colours.
Planting substrate is specially formulated for fishkeepers who want to grow aquatic plants. If you’re looking to design a natural, green environment for your fish, this kind of substrate offers the fertilisation and anti-algae benefits that you need.

Artificial fish tank plants

When you decorate your fish tank, artificial plants allow you to create a natural look without the maintenance that comes with live plants. These plants add pops of colour to any fish tank, and many fishkeepers choose tall, flowering plants to create that tropical under-the-sea look. We sell approximately 200 artificial plants in all shapes and sizes to brighten your aquarium.

Artificial coral

Artificial corals make perfect additions to fish tanks for those who want a tropical look. They’re easy to clean and come in virtually all colours. Just a few of our artificial corals include red ridge corals, lettuce corals (like this one), coral gardens, sun corals, and trumpet head corals.

Rocks, stones, pebbles, shells, and leaves

Fishkeepers looking to cultivate a natural look in their fish tanks often gravitate towards our wide selection of rocks, stones, pebbles, shells, and leaves. These natural items come in every shape, size, and colour. It’s important to buy these items from a specialist aquatics shop as items picked up off the beach often aren’t safe for fish.

Fish tank driftwood

Driftwood and wood roots offer yet more natural-looking decorations when you decorate your fish tank. Driftwood decorations also create great hiding places for your fish. Again, it’s important to buy driftwood and wood roots from an aquatics shop because standard driftwood from a beach can cause gill damage in certain fish.

Fish tank ornaments

Fish tank ornaments offer one of the easiest ways to personalise and decorate your fish tank. From Bonsai plant ornaments that wrap around your air tube to ancient Greek structures, swim-through tunnels, castles, bridges, space dogs, plane wrecks, and television characters, you’ll find the perfect ornament for your fish tank in our collection of over 100.

Ceramic nature

Ceramic logs, tubes, and caves offer great hiding places for fish and create a rustic look for any fish tank. You can choose between our turtle cave, half logs, and bamboo tubes.

You're ready to decorate your fish tank

With the following fish tank decor categories in mind, you’re now ready to explore our decorations range and personalise your fish tank. Whether you opt for whimsical ornaments, tropical plants and corals, or rustic driftwood pieces and shells, we’d love to see your fish tank designs. Send us a photo on Facebook.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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What size fish tank do you need?

Lottie — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 11:20:57 +0000

If you’ve been thinking about buying a fish tank, you’ve probably thought about how it will look, where you’ll put it, and the kind of fish you’d like to keep. But have you thought about what size fish tank will be best for your space?

Fish make ideal pets: they’re serene to watch, easy to care for, and available in an array of colours. They can brighten virtually any home (or workplace) and become the focal point of your chosen room. But choosing the right size fish tank is one of the biggest challenges new fishkeepers face when aquarium shopping.

If you’re a new fishkeeper, you can find everything you need to know about fish tank size here.

Know where you'll put your fish tank

At the simplest level, your fish tank must fit in the area you’re planning to keep your fish. Before you decide on this space, take a look at our blog post on how to find the best spot for your fish tank.

Once you’re happy with the location for your new fish tank, measure the area to know the maximum aquarium size you can go for. When you shop for your aquarium, you’ll find that fish tanks are labelled by their water capacity rather than their physical size. But click through to the fish tanks on our website and you’ll find measurements for each too.

Bonus Tip

When measuring for your aquarium, remember to make allowances for the fish tank stand or alternative surface that you’ll place your fish tank on. If you’re not using a fish tank stand, make sure the surface your fish tank will stand on is strong, flat, and robust enough to support it. Fish tanks are heavy when filled with water (each litre will weigh around one kilo). If you’re not sure whether your surface is strong enough to hold a fish tank, you can work out how much your aquarium will weigh using this fish tank weight calculator.

Also, keep in mind that a fish tank that overhangs its surface is more likely to crack and leak. In this case, not using a fish tank stand will invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, we recommend buying a fish tank stand for your aquarium. We sell standalone fish tank cabinets and fish tanks that come with cabinets designed specifically for these aquariums.

Know which breeds of fish you'll keep

Once you’ve worked out the maximum size fish tank you can keep, it’s time to think about the kinds of fish breeds you’d like. Remember that fish come in different sizes, and different fish need different size spaces.

Some of the best fish for 10–20L tanks include chilli rasboras, male endlers, ricefish, common tetras, sparkling gourami, and neon tetras.
Some of the best fish for 30–40L tanks include platy fish, mollies, small rasboras, gold/white cloud mountain minnows, guppies, dwarf/pygmy corydoras catfish, otocinclus catfish, and small danios.
Some of the best fish for 50–60L tanks include goldfish, giant danios, swordtails, dwarf gourami, kuhli loach, brown pencil fish, and cherry barbs.
Some of the best fish for 70–80L tanks include dwarf south American Cichlids (buy in a pair), bristlenose plecos, and rainbow fish.
Some of the best fish for 90–120L tanks include rams, gourami, angel fish, apistogramma, and Siamese flying fox.

*Many of these fish are tropical, which require a heater to make the fish tank water warmer than coldwater fish tank temperatures. Find out how to set up a tropical fish tank here.

It’s essential to buy the right fish for the size of your fish tank. If your tank is too small for your fish, you could stunt their growth and shorten their lifespans. So, if in doubt, speak to one of the pet shop assistants when choosing your fish.

Know how many fish you'll keep

When you know which breeds of fish you might be interested in, you can find out how many of these fish you can keep in a tank of your given size. Speak to one of the pet shop assistants about how many of these fish should school together. This is especially important if you’ll be mixing breeds as some fish are happier to live together than others.

At the simplest level, the smaller the fish, the more you can keep in your tank.

Know that smaller fish tanks are harder to maintain

Contrary to common misconception, smaller fish tanks aren’t easier to maintain than larger fish tanks. It’s actually much harder to maintain good water parameters (like pH levels, ammonia levels, and temperature) in a small tank. So, small tanks need cleaning and water changes much more often than tanks.

Therefore, it can be best to opt for the biggest fish tank you can fit in your chosen space as long as your budget allows.

Calculating what size fish tank you need

You should now have all the info you need to work out what size fish tank you need.

Whatever size you need, we’re always on hand to help you find the right fish tank, and we stock aquariums in all sizes:

If you need any further advice on what size fish tank to go for, get in touch with our customer service team.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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Five top Christmas gifts for fish lovers

Lottie — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 14:43:09 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner. But there’s still time to treat your loved ones (or yourself, we won’t judge you) to the perfect aquatic gift. With a week left to go, here are our five top recommended Christmas gifts for fish lovers.

1. Fluval Bluetooth fish tank light

Fluval’s LED aquarium lights make great gifts for fish lovers and come in several sizes to fit most aquariums. These advanced fish tank light systems use Bluetooth FluvalSmart App technology, which allows you to customise your fish tank light from your mobile devices.

Features of the Fluval aquarium light range include:

A programmable 24-hour light cycle with sunrise, mid-day, sunset, and night settings.
Six band waves for full spectrum results.
Independent colour control.
Optional preset habitat light configurations.

Some of the Bluetooth fish tank lights in this range also come with:

Weather effects, like stormy lighting, cloud cover, and other seasonal systems to recreate oceanic fish habitats.
An industry-leading IP67 waterproof rating, which means you can mount the aquarium light directly above the water surface without having to worry about water damage to the light.
A large, simple ‘touch’ switch (instead of a flick switch), which offers stable control.
Excellent coverage: each LED casts 120° of illumination to ensure uniform lighting and avoid dead spots.
A three-year warranty.

LED fish tank lights are also much more energy-efficient than their T5 and T8 fluorescent tube predecessors, which makes these lighting systems a great upgrade option for fish lovers.

2. AquaEl nano aquarium

Get into shrimp breeding with a nano aquarium, an ideal gift for fish lover friends or family members. We stock these fully equipped Shrimp Set Day and Night aquariums in three sizes: 10 litres, 20 litres, and 30 litres.

You can keep shrimp, small fish, and plants in a nano aquarium. This one comes with a turbo mini filter and a smart heating system, which adjusts the heating power to the surrounding conditions.

Each nano aquarium also comes with three LED lighting modes, one to recreate daybreak light, one to recreate general daylight, and one to recreate night-time light. These lighting modes recreate underwater habitats to create a natural environment for your fish and shrimp.

3. Funky aquarium ornaments

Adorning your tank with one or two ornaments can brighten up your aquascape and update your fish tank theme. Choose from our wide range of aquarium ornaments and enjoy watching your fish interact with rock sculptures, TV-inspired figurines, caves, tunnels, and shipwrecks.

Here are a few aquarium accessories and ornaments to inspire you:

With around 100 aquarium ornaments to choose from, we stock something for everyone.

4. A Ciano starter fish tank

Know someone who’s interested in buying their first fish? The compact Ciano all-in-one fish tank is the perfect starter kit for beginner hobbyists. This 17-litre aquarium comes with:

A hinged hood for easy access.
A low-voltage LED lighting system.
A high-performance filtration system and inner filter to keep your water clear for as long as possible.
A water treatment to prepare your aquarium water for new fish.

This sleek starter fish tank has always been popular with our customers and makes a wonderful aquarium gift for those who are ready to buy their first fish.

5. Artificial coral

Artificial coral is a great way to give your fish tank that tropical, under-the-sea look, making it one of our top gifts for fish lovers. Plus, it’s easy to clean with a quick scrub under running water. We stock coral in bright red, orange, green, purple, and pink to add a splash of colour to your aquarium.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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Should fish tank lights be on all the time?

Lottie — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 10:06:25 +0000

So, you’ve bought your fish and they’ve made themselves at home in your fish tank. But should you leave fish tank lights on all the time?

Most fish need around 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness each day. However, you don’t need to turn your fish tank light on for a full 12 hours every day, as natural light should be bright enough to fill a few of these hours.

Don't keep fish in the dark

Fish that live in the dark all the time tend to have weak immune systems. This makes them more likely to fall ill. A lack of light can also cause some fish to lose their colour.

Instead, fishkeepers should create cycles of light so their fish can distinguish between day and night. The natural light in a room will help fish to follow a cycle of light. But you can make this easier for your fish by turning on the light unit in your aquarium during the day.

Bonus Tip

Different rooms have different levels of natural light, so your room might be lighter or darker than average. You should keep this in mind when deciding where to put your fish tank.

Consistency is key when creating a light cycle for your fish. If you won’t be around to maintain a consistent light pattern, it’s a good idea to buy a timer socket for your fish tank. You can get budget timer sockets, smart plugs, or advanced fish tank LEDs with advanced timer functions. More on that in our previous blog post: Do fish need light in aquariums?

Avoid algae growth

If you leave your aquarium light on for too long, you’ll promote algae growth. Therefore, we recommend leaving your fish tank light on for 8–10 hours a day. It’s fine to experiment with these hours to monitor how much algae growth you get in your fish tank and adjust accordingly.

Don’t leave your fish tank light on for longer than this or your fish will struggle to find their rest period. Fish don’t sleep in the same way humans and other mammals do. But they do rest, often at the bottom of the tank.

Bonus Tip

Different fish species need different exposure to light. While their needs shouldn’t differ too much, it’s a good idea to ask the pet shop how much light your particular fish species needs.

Turn your fish tank light on for your plants, too

If you’ve got live plants in your fish tank, remember that lighting is important for these as well. Plants need light for photosynthesis, which is key to maintaining a healthy aquarium.

Know which fish tank lights you need

The type of fish tank light you need depends on your aquarium. We’ve already written a blog post to help you work out whether your fish tank needs a T5 fluorescent tube, T8 fluorescent tube, or an LED light. We sell individual light tubes and complete light units to replace all three.

If your tank uses T5 or T8 fluorescent tubes, you might like to upgrade to an LED aquarium light (which is far more energy efficient). And, if you’re a Juwel fish tank owner, we’ve written a blog post specifically for your LED upgrade.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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