Fish death after just being brought home from the pet shop happens far too often. Sadly, the problem is often due to pH shock that could have been avoided. Here's what you should know about acclimating your fish when you bring them home.

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Matching pH
Rocks and pH
Water pH

Stocking a new tank is a big decision. This aquarium owner is torn between what he would like, and requests from his family.


Your experiences could help him out.

"I'm new to fishkeeping but am interested in keeping cichlids, clown loaches, a silver shark , a red-tailed shark and possibly some cat fish. Any suggestions on what else goes with this group of fish. I was thinking of parrot fish - but I've been put off by bad publicity concerning health issues due to not being a 'true' fish in the wild. Suggestions helpful."

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Frequently overlooked, water testing should be a part of your regular aquarium maintenance program. Not sure what you should test for, and why? Here are the basics of water testing.

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Ammonia Poisoning
Nitrite Poisoning
Nitrates
pH

Algae is one of the most frustrating problems an aquarium owner faces, as this forum member relates.

"I seem to have developed a problem with algae in my planted tank. About six months ago I noticed small snails in my tank that had been introduced on some new plants. Slowly, I got rid of them (by scooping them out one by one) because they were nibbling on my plants ..... A month or so ago I started seeing increased algae growth in the tank......

Should I re-introduce the snails on a limited basis? The only size snail that I have seen in my aquarium shop are the ones that are rather large and I really don't want to add them to my tank, but I don't want to add any unnecessary chemicals either. Please advise!

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