Benefits of Live Plants for Breeding Fish/Shrimp Sep 18 2020 0 Comments beginner fish guest blog plants shrimp tips Benefits of Live Plants for Breeding Fish/Shrimp Written by Tammy Law (@aquarist_tl) Breeding fish and shrimp is considered one of the most fulfilling parts of the aquarium hobby. To be able to see a bunch of baby fish or shrimp growing up in your tank and knowing you had a part to play in it can be very rewarding. As someone that has bred a few species of fish and shrimp, there’s one particular thing I find myself almost always implementing in my breeding set-ups: live aquatic plants. Whether you have livebearers like guppies, egg-scattering fish such as tetras, or...

Top 7 Best Terrarium Plants Sep 11 2020 0 Comments Aquascapes paludarium plant profile plants terrarium Top 7 Best Terrarium Plants Ready to start a terrarium or paludarium? Like planted aqauriums, aquascapers can build these terrestrial setups aim to recreate nature scenes (like forests or jungles) in the comfort of your home. These setups are arguably easier to grow and maintain than your traditional underwater aquascapes. You can also grow many different kinds of plants ranging from aquatic to terrestrial! With terrarium-like setups, you have the opportunity to fill your tank with a larger range of plants to fit your own personal aesthetic. You will see that there are a few plants on our list that can grow...

Planted Aquarium Substrate: Soil, Gravel, and Sand Sep 04 2020 0 Comments beginner guest blog guide layout/styles substrate tips Planted Aquarium Substrate: Soil, Gravel, and Sand Written by Tammy Law (@aquarist_tl) Thinking about starting a new aquarium and wondering which substrate is right for your setup? Or if you need any substrate at all? Every aquarium has their own style and unique layout. Some serve a more functional purpose while others are more for aesthetics. This article will go over the benefits and disadvantages of bare-bottom tanks vs. tanks with substrate, as well as the pros and cons of the three main types of substrates used in the freshwater aquarium hobby: gravel, sand, and soil. Bare-bottom vs....

Dry Start Method Step by Step Guide Sep 02 2020 0 Comments beginner DIY dry start guest blog guide layout/styles tips Dry Start Method Step by Step Guide Written by Team BP & Bryson Zheng (@unso.fish.ticated) The initial weeks of starting a planted aquarium are often the most frustrating. You might experience plants that seem set on floating and sparse growth. Let me introduce you to the dry start method (DSM). This bad boy solution gives you the opportunity to bypass all of the aforementioned problems! The dry start method simply allows your plants to grow quicker while emersed until their roots are established. It is also the easiest and quickest way to grow carpet plants. The DSM gives your plants more abundant access...

Beginner's Guide to Aquarium Filters and Types of Filtration Aug 27 2020 0 Comments beginner guide tips Beginner's Guide to Aquarium Filters and Types of Filtration Written by: BP Team member Simon Zhu (@sz_aquatics) A filter, or the “heart” of the tank as we like to call it, is a crucial part of a fully functional and balanced tank. Like with many other things in the aquarium hobby, there is an overwhelming amount of brands, types, and sizes. What kind of filter is best for you and your tank? First, you will need to understand the basics in order to choose the right filter for your aquarium. Why does a tank need a filter? The filter basically acts as...

How to Cycle a Planted Aquarium Aug 19 2020 0 Comments beginner guide maintenance tips How to Cycle a Planted Aquarium Written by: BP Team member Simon Zhu (@sz_aquatics) Want to make sure your planted aquarium is a success? The first stages of tank setup are critical. It’s helpful to know the science behind what keeps your aquatic plants and their animal friends thriving. Cycling your tank is by far one of the most important parts of tank setup. In order to keep a balanced and healthy aquarium for fish, shrimp, and plants, then you must know a little about the nitrogen cycle. This article will go over: The nitrogen cycle The importance of a...

Which Twinstar LED Light is Best For You? Aug 13 2020 0 Comments guide layout/styles lighting Which Twinstar LED Light is Best For You? Purchasing the perfect LED light for your planted tank is crucial to your scape’s success. That being said, we understand how the process of buying the right aquarium lighting can be overwhelming. With an abundance of brands and types, where do you even start? Our answer: Twinstar. This company is globally known for their full spectrum LED lights that will enhance the coloration and bring your tank to life--whether it be a planted aquarium, terrarium, shrimp tank, or fish tank. Twinstar lights come in sleek, minimalist designs that range in price...

6 Top Stem Plants for Your Aquarium Aug 07 2020 0 Comments beginner guide low tech plant profile plants 6 Top Stem Plants for Your Aquarium We know that our site has a huge selection of plants and it can be a little overwhelming at first. Bucephalandra, anubias, crypts, ferns, moss, stems... Where do you even start? Trust, we get it! That’s why Team BP has put together our Top 6 stem plants for aquascapers. Stem plants are an aquascaping favorite. They are easily propagated and they quickly develop root systems. When planted in the right substrate (we recommend UNS controsoil) and given sufficient light, these plants will quickly fill your aquarium in a short amount of time. They...

6 Easy Steps to Bleach Dip Aquarium Plants Aug 05 2020 2 Comments beginner guide maintenance plants tips 6 Easy Steps to Bleach Dip Aquarium Plants by Bryson (@unso.fish.ticated) There are reasons why many of us aquarists choose to buy tissue culture plants: no snails, no algae, an abundance of healthy plants. However, buying tissue culture plants every time isn't a luxury that everyone can afford. Lead bunch or potted plants are much more common, more affordable, and easier to get. However, they do come with the possibility of hitchhikers such as algae and pests. In addition, I’m not above collecting plants from the wild myself which can carry the same problems (please do be mindful of state/county laws, the property on which...

How to Master the Art of Water Change Jul 31 2020 0 Comments aquarium beginner guide maintenance tips water How to Master the Art of Water Change Completing successful water changes for your aquarium is a critical part of effective tank maintenance and is key to healthy plants and fish. We know how important water changes are when maintaining a planted aquarium. At the end of this article, there will be a quick 5-step guide to performing an easy water change. But first, we have created a guided overview to help aquarium enthusiasts understand why water changes are so important and how to complete the best water change possible for their own tank. Every tank is different...in...