Help! Algae is growing very quickly! Are the lights on for more than 8 hours? A longer photoperiod promotes quick algae growth. A water change will also always help curb algae growth as it removes the nitrates and phosphates which fuel rapid growth.

My aquarium is blowing bubbles! Add dechlorinated (reverse osmosis/de-ionized water is recommended since all the heavy metals and bad substances like nitrate and phosphates are removed) freshwater to the aquarium. As water evaporates, the salt stays in the system and just gets more concentrated. By adding saltwater for top-off instead of freshwater the specific gravity of the aquarium will increase drastically.

How often should I feed? We recommend feeding every other day; and only what the inhabitants can eat before it reaches the bottom. Excess feeding only puts more organics into the water which will pollute the water quickly. In the wild fish are lucky to eat three times a week; the only reason we think we need to feed them every day, or even multiple times a day, is that we eat that often. Certain fish need to eat more often than others though.

Is there any way to prevent algae from growing? Unfortunately not, however there are many animals that will eat it – including both fish and snails. Slow to moderate growth is a sign of a healthy tank! When it gets a little thick though, the only way to remove it is with a little elbow grease. Remember! Never use a metal scraper blade on an acrylic tank; it will scratch it.

Will saltwater snails reproduce like freshwater snails? Nope! Every now and then you may see a clutch of eggs on the glass. The difference between saltwater and freshwater, is that to the vast majority of saltwater fish and invertebrates, baby snails and snail eggs are food!

How many inches of fish can I have per gallon? This rule really does not hold up in saltwater world as it does with freshwater. Saltwater fish have widely varying requirements and place vastly different demands on the biological filtration of the aquarium. A 3 foot long eel can go in a relatively small tank in comparison to its body length; however some smaller fish need to be housed in a much larger tank in ratio to their size due to swimming room requirements or behavior.

Do fish grow to the size of their aquarium? Nope! This is a myth; they will keep on growing!