News and Blogs

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.

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.

While many brackish aquariums do give the appearance of a blackwater habitat, the phrase 'blackwater' simply refers to a type of freshwater aquarium that is characterized by its tinted, tea-colored water.

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.

Firstly, if you are even thinking about doing this, you are not fit to keep fish in the first place. Southern Water released a statement regarding this practice, reminding customers that the only thing that should be flushed down the toilet are the three P's - pee, poo and paper.

Fishkeepers have a legal duty of care to their pets under the Animal Welfare Act, which states the need to provide, among other things, a suitable environment and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

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)

Remember to perform partial water changes, vacuum the substrate and clean decorations to maintain a healthy aquatic environment!

After a season of plant growth and leaf drops, ponds tend to build up a layer of sludgy detritus on the bed, and some surface muck. Pond vacuums and skimmers have long been the weapon of choice for cleaning a pond.