Are Oyster Shells a Good Filter Media for Aquariums?

Are Oyster Shells a Good Filter Media for Aquariums?

Aquarium Maintenance

Oyster shells provide a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize. These bacteria help in breaking down harmful ammonia and nitrite into less toxic nitrate, which is essential for maintaining a healthy aquarium environment.

What to do if your aquarium air supply fails | advice

What to do if your aquarium air supply fails | advice

Aquarium Maintenance

Healthy aquarium water should be well oxygenated, and the easiest way to achieve this is by adding an aerator to your fish tank, usually in the form of an airpump and air stone or by venturi pipe on your internal or external filter outlet pipework.

PondXpert Guide: Aerating your Pond using an Air Pump

PondXpert Guide: Aerating your Pond using an Air Pump

Algae
In this PondXpert guide, we will explore the why and how of pond aeration, focusing on the benefits of aeration, when your pond may need it, and the different types of pond air pumps available in the UK.
Evolution Aqua: From Murky to Marvellous

Evolution Aqua: From Murky to Marvellous

Algae
Performing regular water changes helps dilute the nutrients in the pond water, reducing the food supply for algae. Aim to change 10-20% of the water weekly, and use a dechlorinator if you’re using tap water.
How to use Pond Barley Straw for Clear Pond Water

How to use Pond Barley Straw for Clear Pond Water

Algae
For the best results and algae prevention, adding more barley straw a few times a year is good practice to make sure there is always a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the pond water.
Barley Straw Vs Barley Extract (Liquid) – Which is better?

Barley Straw Vs Barley Extract (Liquid) – Which is better?

Algae
When looking to purchase barley for ponds, you’ll likely come across two different products – barley straw and barley straw extract. Barley straw extract is a liquid formula which is more concentrated and faster to act compared to physical straw. Both of these work in a very similar way.
Barley Straw: How does it tackle Algae?

Barley Straw: How does it tackle Algae?

Algae
Remember, barley straw is a preventive method of algae control, not an algae killer, so a good result from barley treatment would be less algae returning the following year. To remove large algae blooms, always use a direct treatment method and only use barley to supplement the process.
Waterlife: The Nitrogen Cycle Explained

Waterlife: The Nitrogen Cycle Explained

Algae
The nitrogen cycle is a natural process which is responsible for the conversion and generation of different nitrogen compounds. Ammonia is a nitrogen compound, excreted by all fishes, and is extremely toxic to them.
PondXpert Guide: Saving Energy in your Pond

PondXpert Guide: Saving Energy in your Pond

Care Sheets
We are all looking for ways to lower our household energy consumption. Within this PondXpert guide, we will be looking at ways to keep your pond ticking over whilst reducing your monthly energy bills.
Why is the water pH level important to fish?

Why is the water pH level important to fish?

Cichlids
The pH scale is the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of water. The pH scale runs from 0 (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely alkaline). The mid point, 7, is known as 'neutral'. pH is generally cited to one decimal place (e.g. pH 6.5, pH 7.3, etc)