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The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]
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- 31. Okt. 2026
Über den Podcast
The Aquarist’s Edge is your trusted source for all things freshwater fishkeeping. Hosted by Arthur Preston of Art’s Fish Room, this podcast dives into the latest aquarium news, expert advice, species spotlights, and practical tips for hobbyists of all levels. Whether you're breeding guppies or setting up your first tank, The Aquarist’s Edge brings insight, inspiration, and community to your fishkeeping journey.
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Baby Guppies? Your First 30 Days of Guppy Fry Care
Your guppy has just had her babies, so what do you do now? This episode covers guppy fry care through the first 30 days: where to keep them, what to feed them, how to keep the water clean, and what's normal …
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Your guppy has just had her babies, so what do you do now? This episode covers guppy fry care through the first 30 days: where to keep them, what to feed them, how to keep the water clean, and what's normal week by week. Whether your fry are staying in the main tank or growing on in their own tank, it'll help you raise more of them.
💬 Join the conversation: Do your guppy fry grow up in the main tank or a separate one, and how many usually make it? Share your answer in a review or find us on social media and tell us.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Aquarist's Edge on your podcast app and share it with a fish keeper who may need to hear it.
☕ If this show has helped you in your fishkeeping journey, please consider supporting by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
🔍 Keywords: guppy fry care, what to feed guppy fry, guppy fry in main tank, how to raise guppy fry, baby guppies, guppy breeding box, guppy grow out tank, baby brine shrimp, sexing guppies, livebearer fry careWhy Won’t My Pregnant Guppy Give Birth?
Has your guppy looked ready to give birth for weeks, with still no fry in sight? In this episode Art explains why a pregnant guppy might not be giving birth. He covers gestation, stored sperm, the …
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Has your guppy looked ready to give birth for weeks, with still no fry in sight? In this episode Art explains why a pregnant guppy might not be giving birth. He covers gestation, stored sperm, the late-pregnancy signs to watch for, and how to tell a gravid female from one that’s bloated or ill. It’s for any fish keeper staring at a round guppy and wondering what to do next.
💬 Join the conversation: Have you had a guppy who seemed pregnant forever? Did she eventually drop a brood, or did it turn out to be something else? Share your story in a review or find us on social media and tell us.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Aquarist’s Edge on your podcast app and share it with a fish keeper who may need to hear it.
☕ If this show has helped you in your fishkeeping journey, please consider supporting by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
🔍 Keywords: pregnant guppy not giving birth, how long are guppies pregnant, guppy gestation period, signs guppy is about to give birth, guppy gravid spot, guppy breeder box, pregnant guppy or dropsy, guppy bloated or pregnant, guppy fry, livebearer care tipsDear Agony Aunt (Your Fish Send In Their Complaints)
What would your fish say if they could send you a voice note? In this episode, a goldfish in a bowl, a betta in a vase, a nipped angelfish, a lonely neon and a few others write in to an aquarium agony aunt with …
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What would your fish say if they could send you a voice note? In this episode, a goldfish in a bowl, a betta in a vase, a nipped angelfish, a lonely neon and a few others write in to an aquarium agony aunt with the problems they face most often. It's a light-hearted look at the most common beginner aquarium mistakes, with honest, practical answers for new and experienced fish keepers alike.
💬 Join the conversation: If your fish could send a voice note to an agony aunt, what would it say? Share it in a review or find us on social media and tell us.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Aquarist's Edge on your podcast app and share it with a fish keeper who may need to hear it.
☕ If this show has helped you in your fishkeeping journey, please consider supporting by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
🔍 Keywords: beginner aquarium mistakes, goldfish bowl, betta fish in a vase, fish compatibility, fin nipping, neon tetra shoal, overfeeding fish, aquarium pH swings, holiday fish feeding, multiple tank syndrome, fishkeeping tipsSand, Gravel or Aqua Soil? Choosing the Right Substrate
Did you choose the stuff on the bottom of your tank by colour? Most of us did, but your substrate affects your water chemistry, your plants, and whether fish like corydoras and eartheaters can feed the way …
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Did you choose the stuff on the bottom of your tank by colour? Most of us did, but your substrate affects your water chemistry, your plants, and whether fish like corydoras and eartheaters can feed the way they're built to.
This episode compares gravel, sand, aqua soil, crushed coral, dirted tanks and bare-bottom tanks, matches each to the fish and shrimp that suit it, and works through some of the hobby's longest-running substrate debates.
💬 Join the conversation: Are you a sand, gravel or aqua soil keeper, and have you ever switched and noticed a difference in your fish? Share your story in a review or find us on social media and tell us.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Aquarist's Edge on your podcast app and share it with a fish keeper who may need to hear it.
☕ If this show has helped you in your fishkeeping journey, please consider supporting by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
🔍 Keywords: best aquarium substrate, sand vs gravel aquarium, aqua soil planted tank, shrimp substrate, corydoras sand, crushed coral African cichlids, how to clean aquarium sand, dirted tank, bare bottom aquarium, fishkeeping tips for beginners10 Things Every Aquarist Wishes They Knew Sooner
Why did your first fish die within days of setting up the tank? It's called new tank syndrome, and it's just one of ten hard lessons this episode covers. Whether you're setting up your very first aquarium or …
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Why did your first fish die within days of setting up the tank? It's called new tank syndrome, and it's just one of ten hard lessons this episode covers. Whether you're setting up your very first aquarium or you've been in the hobby for years, this one's built to catch something you didn't know you needed to hear.
💬 Join the conversation: What's the mistake you made early on in this hobby that you'd go back and fix if you could? Share your story in a review or find us on social media and tell us.
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Aquarist's Edge on your podcast app and share it with a fish keeper who may need to hear it.
☕ If this show has helped you in your fishkeeping journey, please consider supporting by buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
🔍 Keywords: new tank syndrome, nitrogen cycle explained, beginner aquarium mistakes, overstocking a fish tank, dechlorinator tap water fish, zebra danio aggressive, dwarf gourami aggressive, best first fish tank size, freshwater aquarium mistakes, fishkeeping tips for beginners
Cross-Breeding Aquarium Fish: What Actually Happens When Species Mix
Can you actually cross-breed aquarium fish, and would you even want to? This episode looks at where hybridisation really happens in the freshwater hobby, and what it means for the fish and the fishkeeper when …
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Can you actually cross-breed aquarium fish, and would you even want to? This episode looks at where hybridisation really happens in the freshwater hobby, and what it means for the fish and the fishkeeper when it does.
Art works through the two groups where crossing is most common — livebearers like platies and swordtails, which will hybridise without any encouragement at all, and cichlids, where mbuna cross in mixed tanks and fish like flowerhorns and blood parrot cichlids exist purely because of deliberate breeding. He also covers the less-talked-about case of Corydoras catfish hybridising in mixed shoals, the genetics behind why some crosses produce healthy fry and others don't, and why hybrid cichlids are so often sterile.
If you've ever wondered whether your "tuxedo platy" is really a hybrid, or you're trying to keep a clean cichlid breeding line, this episode gives you the practical answers.
Topics include: livebearer hybrids, platy and swordtail crossing, mbuna hybridisation, flowerhorn and blood parrot cichlid origins, Corydoras hybrids, fish genetics and hybrid viability, hybrid sterility in cichlids, ethics of fish hybridisation, conservation risks, preventing accidental hybrids.
Enjoyed the episode? Please follow The Aquarist's Edge and leave a review to help more freshwater aquarists discover the show.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Apology for unedited upload - 12 September 2026
What a rookie error! This is a short apology to all those who happened to listen to the very raw unedited version of Series 3 Episode 31 earlier today...
Coldwater Tanks CAN Have Plants: Here's What Actually Survives
Can you actually grow plants in a tank with no heater? In this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art breaks down why coldwater and goldfish tanks developed such a bad reputation for plants and which ones …
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Can you actually grow plants in a tank with no heater? In this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art breaks down why coldwater and goldfish tanks developed such a bad reputation for plants and which ones genuinely thrive in them.
He works through the tough, unappetising options that survive both cold water and grazing fish, the "sacrificial" plants worth growing on purpose so goldfish have something to eat that isn't your centrepiece, and the lighting, substrate, and CO2 basics that actually determine whether any of it grows. Along the way there are practical, do-it-this-week tips.
If you keep goldfish, White Clouds, or any unheated community tank and have been told plants just aren't for you, this episode will change how you plan your next aquascape.
Enjoyed the episode? Please follow The Aquarist's Edge and leave a review to help more freshwater aquarists discover the show.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
How to Actually Improve Fish Colour (Diet Isn't the Whole Story)
Can better colour really be trained into a fish, or is it mostly down to luck and genetics? In this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art breaks down what actually drives fish colouration, from diet and water …
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Can better colour really be trained into a fish, or is it mostly down to luck and genetics? In this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art breaks down what actually drives fish colouration, from diet and water quality to lighting, substrate, and social grouping.
He looks at where colour genuinely comes from, why carotenoid-rich foods matter for reds and oranges, how chronic stress quietly dulls even healthy fish, and why factors like substrate tone and shoal size can visibly change how a fish displays. The episode also sets realistic expectations, since genetics ultimately sets the ceiling no amount of good care can raise.
If you're chasing more vibrant fish, wondering why your tank doesn't look as colourful as you'd hoped, or just curious what's actually happening beneath the surface, this episode will help you separate what you can influence from what you can't.
Topics include: fish colour, colour-enhancing fish food, carotenoids in fish diet, fish stress and colouration, aquarium lighting for colour, substrate and fish colour, shoaling fish behaviour, fish genetics, freshwater fish care, and realistic fishkeeping expectations.
Enjoyed the episode? Please follow The Aquarist's Edge and leave a review to help more freshwater aquarists discover the show.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Is Fishkeeping Really An Accessible Hobby?
Is fishkeeping really an accessible hobby, or is it more demanding than it first appears? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art looks at the true cost of freshwater fishkeeping, the space and time an …
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Is fishkeeping really an accessible hobby, or is it more demanding than it first appears? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art looks at the true cost of freshwater fishkeeping, the space and time an aquarium requires, the physical demands of maintenance, and the knowledge beginners need before getting started.
He also explores how aquarium care can be made easier and more inclusive without compromising fish welfare. From choosing manageable aquarium sizes and simplifying maintenance to avoiding information overload and understanding the nitrogen cycle, this episode offers practical advice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
If you are considering your first freshwater aquarium, working with a limited budget or space, or looking for ways to make fishkeeping easier to maintain, this episode will help you build an aquarium that fits your life while still meeting the needs of your fish.
Topics include: beginner fishkeeping, affordable aquarium setups, aquarium maintenance, fish welfare, aquarium costs, small aquariums, accessible fishkeeping, nitrogen cycle basics, freshwater aquarium care, and responsible fishkeeping.
Enjoyed the episode? Please follow The Aquarist’s Edge and leave a review to help more freshwater aquarists discover the show.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Corydoras Care Guide: Tank Setup, Feeding, Water Parameters & Healthy Cory Cats
Corydoras are some of the most popular freshwater catfish in the aquarium hobby, but keeping them successfully involves far more than simply adding a few "bottom cleaners" to your tank. Art covers the …
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Corydoras are some of the most popular freshwater catfish in the aquarium hobby, but keeping them successfully involves far more than simply adding a few "bottom cleaners" to your tank.
Art covers the essentials of Corydoras care, including ideal group size, aquarium setup, substrate choice, feeding, water conditions, tankmates, common health concerns and some of the unusual behaviours that often confuse new keepers. You’ll also learn why Corydoras should not be expected to survive on leftovers, why species-specific temperature requirements matter, and what those sudden trips to the surface actually mean.
Whether you keep panda corys, bronze corys, peppered corys, Sterbai corys or another member of the Corydoradinae group, this practical freshwater aquarium care guide will help you create better conditions for healthy, active and confident fish.
If you enjoy freshwater aquarium care, tropical fishkeeping, Corydoras care guides and practical aquarium advice, subscribe to The Aquarist’s Edge and leave a review to help more aquarists discover the show.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
The Most Important Questions To Ask Before Choosing An Aquarium Fish
Choosing a new fish is one of the most exciting parts of freshwater fishkeeping but it is also where many long-term aquarium problems begin. In this episode Art explores the single most important question to …
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Choosing a new fish is one of the most exciting parts of freshwater fishkeeping but it is also where many long-term aquarium problems begin. In this episode Art explores the single most important question to ask before buying a fish, along with six practical checks covering adult size, aquarium suitability, compatibility, feeding, quarantine and long-term care.
Whether you are stocking your first community aquarium or adding a new species to an established tank, this episode will help you make more responsible fish choices and avoid common mistakes such as overcrowding, aggression, poor diet and unsuitable water conditions.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
5 Simple Changes For A Healthier Freshwater Aquarium
A healthier aquarium does not always require expensive equipment or complicated treatments. In this episode Art explores five simple adjustments that can improve water quality, reduce algae, support healthier …
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A healthier aquarium does not always require expensive equipment or complicated treatments. In this episode Art explores five simple adjustments that can improve water quality, reduce algae, support healthier fish and make aquarium maintenance easier.
Learn how to improve feeding, lighting, water circulation, water changes and daily observation without disrupting the stability of your freshwater aquarium. These practical fishkeeping tips are ideal for beginner and intermediate aquarists who want cleaner water, healthier fish and a more reliable aquarium routine.
🔗 Podcast episode referenced: Stop Feeding Your Fish Everyday - https://theaquaristsedge.beam.ly/episode/why-fasting-your-fish-improves-health-water-quality-and-tank-balance
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
No Aquariums Allowed? How to Be a Fishkeeper Without Owning a Tank
What happens when you love aquarium keeping, but your landlord says no tanks? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore how to negotiate aquarium restrictions responsibly, gain practical fishkeeping …
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What happens when you love aquarium keeping, but your landlord says no tanks? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore how to negotiate aquarium restrictions responsibly, gain practical fishkeeping experience without owning a tank, and use virtual aquariums to develop useful planning and aquascaping skills. You’ll also discover how learning about the nitrogen cycle, fish compatibility, local water parameters, and aquarium equipment now can give you a major advantage when you eventually set up your first freshwater aquarium.
Have you ever been prevented from keeping an aquarium by a lease, budget, move, or change in circumstances? Share your experience so that others can learn from you!
Shared in the episode: Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club: https://www.ecaac.co.za
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
5 Most Common Fish Diseases and How To Treat Them
In today's episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art explores the five most common fish diseases every freshwater aquarist eventually faces: white spot (ich), fin rot, fungal infections, velvet, and dropsy. He …
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In today's episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art explores the five most common fish diseases every freshwater aquarist eventually faces: white spot (ich), fin rot, fungal infections, velvet, and dropsy. He explains exactly how to identify and treat each one. Whether you're struggling with a tank suddenly covered in white spots or worried about ragged fins, this episode is packed with clear treatment plans you can use straight away. Learn what's really happening to your fish, from the protective slime coat and the role of stress, to the parasite life cycles that make treatment timing so important. You'll also learn the clever torch trick that reveals velvet before it's too late, and why water quality and quarantining new fish prevent more outbreaks than any medication ever will.
⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show.
☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Aquarium Burnout Is Real - How To Recover Without Quitting Fishkeeping
Has the aquarium that once helped you relax started to feel like another source of stress? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores aquarium burnout, fishkeeping guilt and the cycle that can turn an …
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Has the aquarium that once helped you relax started to feel like another source of stress? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores aquarium burnout, fishkeeping guilt and the cycle that can turn an enjoyable hobby into an overwhelming maintenance burden.
You’ll learn why aquarium motivation fades, how perfectionism and decision fatigue affect fish keepers, and how to create a realistic recovery plan without immediately dismantling your tank. Healso discusses simplifying multiple aquariums, establishing a minimum care routine, reconnecting with the creative side of fishkeeping and recognising when responsible rehoming may be the right decision.
Whether you are struggling to complete water changes, feeling guilty about aquarium maintenance or considering leaving the hobby, this episode offers practical and compassionate advice to help you move forward.
Referenced in this episode: https://theaquaristsedge.beam.ly/episode/aquarium-perfectionism-how-to-stop-comparing-your-fish-tank-and-enjoy-the-hobby-again
If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Aquarium Perfectionism: How to Stop Comparing Your Fish Tank and Enjoy the Hobby Again
A healthy aquarium does not need to look like a flawless social media post. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art examines how aquarium perfectionism develops, why online aquascapes can create unrealistic …
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A healthy aquarium does not need to look like a flawless social media post. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art examines how aquarium perfectionism develops, why online aquascapes can create unrealistic expectations, and how constant adjustments may affect both your enjoyment and your fish.
You’ll learn how to separate responsible aquarium care from anxiety-driven maintenance, evaluate your tank using fish welfare and stability rather than appearance alone, and set realistic standards for planted aquariums and freshwater fishkeeping. Discover why algae, uneven plant growth, visible equipment and changing layouts are not always signs of failure, and why a sustainable aquarium is often better than a visually perfect one.
If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Keeping Indoor Fish Outdoors
Can you move indoor aquarium fish outdoors for the warmer months? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores how to keep freshwater aquarium fish outside safely. We cover seasonal timing, outdoor tub …
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Can you move indoor aquarium fish outdoors for the warmer months? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores how to keep freshwater aquarium fish outside safely.
We cover seasonal timing, outdoor tub and pond setup, temperature swings, predators, oxygen levels, algae, feeding, breeding, and the importance of preventing aquarium fish from escaping into local waterways. Whether you’re considering guppies, ricefish, white cloud mountain minnows, goldfish, or other hardy freshwater species, this episode will help you make better decisions for fish health and environmental safety.
You’ll learn why outdoor fishkeeping can bring out natural behaviours and breeding activity, but also why careful planning, legal responsibility, and daily observation are essential.
If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Best Schooling Fish for Home Aquariums (Shoaling vs Schooling Explained)
Ever bought “schooling fish” and watched them split up into little cliques? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down the real difference between shoaling vs schooling, why many popular “schooling …
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Ever bought “schooling fish” and watched them split up into little cliques? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down the real difference between shoaling vs schooling, why many popular “schooling fish” don’t actually school in home tanks, and how to set up your aquarium to bring out natural group behaviour.
You’ll learn which freshwater species are the best schooling and shoaling fish for community aquariums, plus the practical rules that make a school look tight, confident, and stress-free.
If you want a calmer tank, better fish confidence, and that “moving as one” look, this episode is your blueprint.
💬 Join the conversation: What’s the best schooling fish you’ve kept, and how many were in the group?If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Unusual Everyday Foods You Can Safely Feed Freshwater Aquarium Fish
In this episode Art explores unusual everyday foods that can be safely used as occasional treats in a freshwater aquarium. From courgette, cucumber, peas, spinach, pumpkin, butternut, sweet potato, carrot, and …
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In this episode Art explores unusual everyday foods that can be safely used as occasional treats in a freshwater aquarium. From courgette, cucumber, peas, spinach, pumpkin, butternut, sweet potato, carrot, and green beans, you’ll learn which foods suit different freshwater fish and how to prepare them properly.
We also explain why these foods should supplement, not replace, a balanced fish food diet, and how to avoid common feeding mistakes that can affect water quality. Whether you keep goldfish, guppies, mollies, bristlenose plecos, corydoras, bettas, shrimp, or snails, this episode will help you make safer, more informed feeding choices.
You’ll also learn which everyday foods should never go into your aquarium.
Keywords: freshwater aquarium foods, safe foods for aquarium fish, feeding freshwater fish vegetables, courgette for plecos, peas for goldfish, aquarium fish diet, fishkeeping tips, freshwater fish nutrition, unusual fish foods, aquarium feeding guide.
If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
Why Guppies Are So Fun to Keep - Colour, Personality, Easy Care & Fry Surprises
Guppies are more than “beginner fish"! They’re colourful, interactive, and endlessly entertaining in a home freshwater aquarium. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art shares why guppies are so fun to …
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Guppies are more than “beginner fish"! They’re colourful, interactive, and endlessly entertaining in a home freshwater aquarium. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art shares why guppies are so fun to keep, from their bold personalities and constantly-on-the-move behaviour to the way lighting and tank design make their colours explode. He also covers the reality of guppy breeding and fry, smart stocking and tank setup tips, and simple troubleshooting for common guppy problems like fin damage and stress.
If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom
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guppy fish, guppies, guppy care, guppy tank setup, livebearer fish, freshwater aquarium fish, guppy breeding, planted tank guppies, beginner fishkeeping
Why Minerals Matter in Your Freshwater Aquarium: GH, KH, Fish Health & Plant Growth Explained
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores why minerals are essential for a healthy freshwater aquarium. From GH and KH to pH stability, fish health, shrimp moulting, snail shell development, and …
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In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores why minerals are essential for a healthy freshwater aquarium. From GH and KH to pH stability, fish health, shrimp moulting, snail shell development, and aquarium plant growth, you’ll learn how dissolved minerals quietly shape the success of your tank. Whether you use tap water, RO water, or a planted aquarium setup, this episode will help you understand what your water is really doing.
We also explain why clear water is not always healthy water, why chasing pH can cause problems, and how to create stable, suitable water for your fish and plants.
Activated Carbon (Charcoal) in Aquariums: What It Does, When to Use It, and Common Myths
Activated carbon (often called “charcoal”) is one of the most common aquarium filter media, but what does it actually do, and do you really need it running all the time? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge …
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Activated carbon (often called “charcoal”) is one of the most common aquarium filter media, but what does it actually do, and do you really need it running all the time? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down how activated carbon works, what it removes, what it doesn’t remove, and the best times to use it in a freshwater aquarium. You’ll also learn why pet shops sell carbon so aggressively and how to avoid the cartridge-replacement trap that can destabilise your filter.
How to Build a Low-Stress Aquarium: A Stable, Low-Maintenance Freshwater Setup for Busy Fishkeepers
Want a freshwater aquarium that stays stable, looks great, and doesn’t turn into a weekly stress project? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down exactly how to build a low-stress aquarium …
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Want a freshwater aquarium that stays stable, looks great, and doesn’t turn into a weekly stress project? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down exactly how to build a low-stress aquarium setup. An aquarium that’s forgiving, low-maintenance, and reliable even when life gets busy. You’ll learn how to pick the right tank size for stability, simplify filtration, choose hardy fish and easy plants, set a sensible lighting schedule, and create a routine you’ll actually stick to.
The Joy And The Stress Of Aquariums
Keeping a freshwater aquarium at home can be one of the most calming, rewarding hobbies; until a heater fails, algae takes over, or the guilt of fish loss hits hard. In this thoughtful episode of The Aquarist’s …
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Keeping a freshwater aquarium at home can be one of the most calming, rewarding hobbies; until a heater fails, algae takes over, or the guilt of fish loss hits hard. In this thoughtful episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art reflects on the real positives and negatives of home aquariums: stress relief, routine, learning, ethics, hidden costs, and how to keep the hobby enjoyable without chasing perfection. You’ll walk away with practical ways to simplify your setup, reduce anxiety, and build a tank that fits your real life.
Aquarium Lighting Explained: PAR, Spectrum, Algae & How to Choose the Right Fish Tank Light
Art breaks down aquarium lighting in a way that makes real sense for everyday freshwater fishkeepers. He covers the science behind PAR, spectrum, lumens, Kelvin, and photoperiod, and explain how these affect …
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Art breaks down aquarium lighting in a way that makes real sense for everyday freshwater fishkeepers. He covers the science behind PAR, spectrum, lumens, Kelvin, and photoperiod, and explain how these affect plant growth, fish behaviour, and algae control in a home aquarium. Whether you are setting up a low-tech planted tank or trying to understand why your aquarium light is causing problems instead of solving them, this episode gives you practical, easy-to-apply guidance.
You’ll learn how aquarium lights actually work, why more light is not always better, how to avoid common lighting mistakes, and what to look for when choosing the right fish tank light for your setup. This episode is ideal for beginners and intermediate hobbyists who want a clearer understanding of freshwater aquarium lighting without the confusing jargon.
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with another aquarist.
The Filter Isn’t a Box: How Flow, Oxygen & Biofilm Make (or Break) a Healthy Freshwater Aquarium
Your aquarium filter is a living habitat where biofilm, oxygen, and water flow decide how stable (or fragile) your freshwater tank becomes. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down what actually …
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Your aquarium filter is a living habitat where biofilm, oxygen, and water flow decide how stable (or fragile) your freshwater tank becomes. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down what actually happens inside sponge filters, canister filters, and hang-on-back filters, and why upgrading a filter can sometimes make a tank worse if the habitat shifts.
You’ll learn how filter flow rate, surface agitation, and filter media choices shape your biological filtration, water clarity, and long-term consistency.
💬 Join the conversation: Have you ever upgraded a filter and your tank got worse? Tell us what changed.
SEO keywords: aquarium filtration, biological filtration, aquarium filter media, sponge filter, canister filter, hang-on-back filter, biofilm, oxygenation, surface agitation, freshwater aquarium, fish tank maintenance
10 Proven Ways To Make Your Aquarium Healthier
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down 10 proven ways to make your freshwater aquarium healthier. This episode will help you stabilise your tank and prevent problems before they start. Expect …
Shownotes
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down 10 proven ways to make your freshwater aquarium healthier. This episode will help you stabilise your tank and prevent problems before they start. Expect practical fishkeeping advice, clear science, and realistic routines you can follow even when life gets busy.
You’ll learn how to improve freshwater fish health, protect your biological filtration, manage ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and create a healthier aquarium environment with less stress and more consistency.
Referenced in this episode: https://theaquaristsedge.beam.ly/episode/why-fasting-your-fish-improves-health-water-quality-and-tank-balance
**LISTENER NOTE** - This is the first episode with no music in the background. Let me know if you prefer it this way or if you'd rather have the soft, gentle music background as in previous episodes.
The Phase Where Most Aquarists Quit
Many aquarists don’t leave the hobby at the beginning of their aquarium journey. They leave during the stage when their aquarium suddenly becomes difficult to manage. Algae outbreaks, plant melt, unstable water …
Shownotes
Many aquarists don’t leave the hobby at the beginning of their aquarium journey. They leave during the stage when their aquarium suddenly becomes difficult to manage.
Algae outbreaks, plant melt, unstable water conditions, and constant adjustments can make even a promising tank feel frustrating and discouraging.
In this episode Art explores the phase where many aquarists consider giving up. He shares why this stage happens, what is actually going on inside the aquarium ecosystem, and how hobbyists can move through this difficult period toward a more stable and rewarding aquarium.
Topics covered include:
The difference between cycled tanks and mature aquariums
Why algae often appears after the first few months
Common mistakes aquarists make when trying to fix problems
The role of biological maturity and ecosystem balance
Practical ways to stabilize a struggling tank
If your aquarium currently feels like it’s fighting you, this episode may help you understand why.
🎵 Music: "I Remember Well" - Cody Francis (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/3d1bfa6a-2fdd-3a79-8f44-b323a2989bb9/)
How to Coax Out Shy Fish - Proven Tips to Make Freshwater Fish Feel Safe
Shy fish can turn a beautiful freshwater aquarium into an “invisible fish” tank but most hiding behaviour has clear, fixable causes. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down why fish stay tucked …
Shownotes
Shy fish can turn a beautiful freshwater aquarium into an “invisible fish” tank but most hiding behaviour has clear, fixable causes. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down why fish stay tucked away and how to coax them into the open without stress using smarter aquascaping, gentler lighting, confidence-building feeding routines, and a quick social “bully check.” Whether you keep tetras, rasboras, corydoras, or other community fish, this episode will leave you with a practical plan to help your fish feel safe and behave naturally.
🎵 Music: "Feels Like That (Instrumental)" - Victor Lundberg (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/6d3d8cd6-d6e1-416c-a88c-1ed926005a4f/)
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