Water chemistry is the heartbeat of a healthy tank. Over the last 15 years, I’ve dealt with every ‘water disaster’ imaginable—from ammonia spikes that threaten fish lives to mysterious green water. This section is a collection of my tested, no-nonsense fixes for the most common (and frustrating) water quality issues. Whether you need to lower your nitrates quickly or clear up cloudy water overnight, you’ll find the answer here.
Fast & Natural Fixes + Long-Term Prevention Ammonia is a silent killer in new and established aquariums. Even low amounts of ammonia can burn fish gills, cause lethargy, and lead to sudden death for fish. This is especially true for beginners during the first few weeks of cycling. I’ve been there. My first tank hit … Read more
A Straightforward Beginner’s Guide In 2026 High water hardness is one of the most common problems beginners face. If your tap water is hard, it can lock up nutrients, stress out soft-water fish, cause pH swings, and even fuel algae growth. I learned this the hard way with my first 20-gallon tank. My plants turned … Read more
Safe & Effective Methods for Beginners High aquarium temperatures are one of the most dangerous threats to your fish. When water gets too warm (above 80°F/27°C for most tropical species), oxygen levels drop, metabolism speeds up, and stress skyrockets—leading to disease, lethargy, or even death. As a beginner, I learned this the hard way during … Read more
Causes, Fixes & Prevention (2026 Guide) If you’ve ever looked at your aquarium and thought, “Why is my fish tank water green but there’s no algae on the glass or plants?” Well, you’re not alone. This frustrating problem, often called “green water” or “pea soup water,” happens to many beginners or even experienced hobbyists. The … Read more
Causes, Fast Fixes & Prevention To A Smelly Fish Tank A nasty smell coming from your aquarium is one of the worst feelings as a beginner. I’ve been there. It seemed like out of nowhere, I noticed that my fish tank water stinks! A subtle smell like rotten eggs and the fish were hiding at … Read more
Nitrates are a silent killer in aquariums, building up slowly and causing stress, weakened immunity, and even death in fish if left unchecked. As a beginner, I once ignored high nitrates in my 30-gallon tank, leading to lethargic guppies and an algae explosion. Testing revealed 40ppm—way too high. Lowering nitrates saved the day, and it’s … Read more
High water hardness is a sneaky problem that can turn your dream aquarium into a nightmare. If you’ve noticed white deposits on your glass, struggling plants, or fish acting oddly, hardness might be the culprit. But don’t worry—as a beginner, I dealt with this in my first tank, and it’s easier to fix than you … Read more
Algae growth is one of the most common headaches for aquarium owners, turning crystal-clear water into a murky mess overnight. But don’t worry—if you’re a beginner wondering how to remove algae from your aquarium without harming your fish or plants, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll cover the causes of algae, … Read more
There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours aquascaping a tank only to have it look like a foggy swamp the next morning. I’ve been there. During my first few years in the hobby, I spent a small fortune on ‘clear water’ chemicals before I realized that the secret to crystal clear water isn’t a … Read more
A Complete Beginner’s Guide (Updated for 2026) Hey everyone, Donny here, a regular guy who loves running a few tanks in my apartment and helping friends set up and keep their tanks healthy. I’ve been doing it for more than way more than ten years, and I’m loving every messy minute of it. High pH … Read more
