Choosing the right aquarium substrate is like picking the foundation for your home—it sets the tone for everything else. As a beginner, I made the mistake of using plain gravel in my first 20-gallon tank, only to watch my plants struggle to root and my water parameters swing wildly. Switching to a nutrient-rich substrate turned … 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
Top LED Options for Thriving Plant Growth Growing plants in your fish tank adds beauty, oxygen, and natural filtration—but without the right light, even the hardiest species will turn yellow, leggy, or die off. As a beginner, I learned this the hard way: My first planted tank looked like a sad salad under a basic … Read more
As a beginner aquarium owner, nothing is more frustrating than watching your fish struggle because of invisible water issues like unstable pH or high nitrates. Test kits helped so much for fixing my water issues, but they seemed to be a little comclicated. For years and years I resisted getting a digital tester and I’m … 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
Water changes are the backbone of a healthy aquarium, removing built-up nitrates, phosphates, and waste that will end up harrming your fish and plants. But let’s be real—doing them manually with a basic siphon is a nightmare. That’s why I decided to make a post about the best pump for changing water in aquariums. Pumps … 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
Welcome to FishTankFAQ.com, I love to share beginner-friendly tips to make fishkeeping a breeze. One of the important lessons I learned was figuring out how much aquarium gravel I needed. This can feel a little tricky. My first time I overbought for my first 10-gallon tank and ended up with a messy pile! Gravel adds … Read more
The Best Aquarium Testing Kits for Beginners in 2025: Welcome to FishTankFAQ.com, where I, a solo aquarium enthusiast, share beginner-friendly tips to make fishkeeping a breeze. Choosing the best aquarium testing kit can seem overwhelming—I remember ignoring tests on my first tank and ending up with stressed fish from high ammonia! Testing kits are crucial … Read more
