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We can help you navigate your way through all the types of lights in fish tanks and determine which type is best for your aquarium.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Search Petco to learn about blackwater fish aquariums. We want to help you decide what lifestyle is best for your unique fish.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Visit Petco to learn about cleanup crews and how they can help your aquarium health.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for Marine FOWLR Aquariums. These tanks have easier upkeep and require less testing and supplementation than a reef tank. You can keep many fish who would generally consume corals and invertebrates, making it a popular setup choice for more aggressive fish.
Updated on November 13th, 2025

When creating an outdoor fish pond you need the right environment, fish and maintenance to keep your water feature looking its best.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
All these fish can grow quite large. The loach would be the "smallest" at about 6 to 8 inches when full grown. The Oscars can reach lengths of 18 inches and the Texas cichlid and sharks can reach a foot in length. All these fish will require much larger tanks than the ones you have now. The three Oscars alone would do best in a 125 gallon aquarium MINIMUM. The others may thrive in 55 to 75 gallon tanks. To leave them in small tanks will cause stress, aggression and likely infection.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
You can buy an automatic feeder which you should set to about 3/4 of the normal feeding amount. There are fish that eat algae, you may want to put in an algae eating fish. If you have a working set up (reliable heat, filter and oxygenation) then you should not have to worry about ammonia. Change 1/3 of the water before you leave, check the filter, remove all mulch from the gravel, and the aquarium should be fine.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
These signs are quite concerning and should be approached radically. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. Clinical examination should always include a water quality check, even if you have done so already. Water testing should be performed with a quality test kit, measuring NH4, NO2 and NO3. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for these signs. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
It may be the pH change or other change in water chemistry. Use a home test kit to check water quality. Make adjustments as indicated. It may also be a response to a temperature change. Check water temperature and increase the heat if necessary, just don't forget to turn it down or off once the temp is within range.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Some iron is necessary for a healthy aquarium, but too much can promote algae growth or impart an unsightly yellow or orange tinge to the water. Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are deal for removing mineral and heavy metals from water but they can be prohibitively expensive. Buying RO water from a local market or pet store is also a possibility but not economically feasible if you have a large tank. The best option may be a Polyfilter, which can be purchased in the local pet store or online. These filters will remove iron or other metals/chemicals and must be changed monthly or quarterly. You can also buy a water conditioner that will precipitate out some of the iron which can then be removed by mechanical filtration. An example of just one is Rid Metals (by Kordon). Follow label directions carefully, perform regular water changes and monitor iron levels with a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing.
Updated on August 12th, 2025