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Archive

Latest Issues

A wide, well-lit view of an intermediate saltwater reef tank showing a healthy mix of live rock and various corals with several small fish (like damselfish or blennies) swimming prominently near the foreground structure.

The Refugium: Why Every Reef Tank Needs a Little Extra Space

September 12, 2026

Understanding how to use extra space in your sump or tank to keep water chemistry stable and healthy.

A medium-shot of a completed Iwagumi tank featuring several large, varied river stones and sparse foreground moss in crystal clear water, viewed at eye level from across the room.

Iwagumi: Making a Minimalist Showstopper in Your Freshwater Tank

September 11, 2026

A detailed look at stone roles, ratios, and the art of making less feel like more.

A wide establishing shot of an intermediate-sized saltwater reef tank (around 40 gallons) with vibrant corals and a few small but prominent damselfish swimming in the foreground. The water looks crystal clear, suggesting stable maintenance.

Scaling Up Reef Tanks: From Three Gallons to a Backyard Display

September 9, 2026

Lessons on stability, equipment choice, and keeping things affordable as your reef grows.

A mid-sized, well-established reef tank with a variety of colorful fish (like wrasses and blennies) actively swimming among rockwork and soft coral branches.

Don't Overstock: Building a Stable Reef Community for Your Tank

September 7, 2026

Using species compatibility and natural niches to avoid stressing out your new fish friends.

A wide, clear shot of an established reef tank with various types of LPS coral gently swaying in the middle ground, viewed from across the room by a hobbyist wearing gloves.

The Delicate Balance: Keeping Reef Water Stable (and Healthy)

September 6, 2026

Why chasing perfect numbers is harder—and less rewarding—than aiming for consistency.

A brightly lit 75-gallon reef tank featuring diverse live coral formations and small tropical fish swimming among the rockwork.

Bearded Fireworms: What are they and how do I get rid of them?

September 5, 2026

A practical guide for spotting these coral pests before they take over your reef tank.

A wide establishing shot of a large, mature reef tank with vibrant SPS corals and healthy mixed fish (e.g., tangs or butterflyfish) swimming in clear water.

Deep Dive into High-Powered Reef LED Systems Like Orphek Natura iCon MAX

September 4, 2026

Understanding performance and setup for mid to large saltwater reef tanks.

A wide establishing shot of a healthy, well-lit 20-gallon saltwater reef tank featuring mixed hard and soft corals and various small, colorful fish swimming actively in the midground.

Don't Overcrowd: Smart Stocking for Your Reef Tank

September 3, 2026

A practical guide to bioload management and finding compatible reef inhabitants in small spaces.

A well-lit, medium shot of a saltwater tank showing various types of colorful rockwork and diverse macroalgae growth on the surface, with several small blennies actively grazing near the foreground rocks.

Algae Control: Picking the Right Fish for Your Tank

September 2, 2026

A guide to matching specific algae types and tank setups with compatible grazers.

A wide-angle shot showing a mid-sized, well-established reef aquarium with bright blue water and several species of tangs swimming among various rock structures.

Sizing Your Protein Skimmer: It's More Than Just Tank Volume

September 1, 2026

A practical guide to selecting the right filtration muscle for your reef tank bioload.

A mid-sized, well-established reef aquarium showing diverse colorful fish (like tangs or damselfish) swimming among healthy coral formations and live rock in clear water.

Scaling Up Your Reef: Lessons from Small to Big Tanks

August 31, 2026

Real-world advice for keeping healthy saltwater reefs in any size home setup.

A middle-aged man leaning over a clean, established reef aquarium glass, pointing thoughtfully at some corals, with other people visible blurredly talking in the background.

The Real Value of Showing Up: Community over Commodity

August 31, 2026

What you really get out of a big aquarium event (and how to find it at home).

A medium shot of a small, well-established reef tank with visible Polyderma and Zoanthids coral polyps, showing some light but manageable green algae growth near the substrate.

When algae gets out of hand: a homeowner's guide

August 31, 2026

Identifying and tackling common nuisance growth in your reef tank.

A well-established reef tank showing diverse, healthy corals and a few visible fish swimming among them.

Where to Find Coral and Fish at Local Swaps

August 31, 2026

A guide for planning your trip to regional marine shows.

A small, well-lit home aquarium showing a pistol shrimp near a burrow entrance, with a colorful goby fish swimming nearby among mixed sand and rubble rockwork.

Setting up Goby and Pistol Shrimp Buddies in Your Reef Tank

August 30, 2026

Making sure these two guys can actually live together without a fight.

A small, well-lit 10-gallon freshwater aquarium with vibrant healthy plants and a visible external canister filter running in the background.

UV Clarifiers: Do they really help your green water?

August 30, 2026

Understanding how UV sterilizers work and when (and if) you actually need one in a small home aquarium.

A moderately sized, well-maintained home reef aquarium with vibrant corals and clean glass under bright naturalistic LED light.

Making Reef Lighting Work for Your Home Tank Size

August 28, 2026

A look at advanced LED setups and why they might actually make life easier.

A close-up shot of a healthy freshwater fish swimming near vibrant, lush foreground plants in an established 10-gallon glass aquarium.

When Your Fish Look Swollen: Understanding Dropsy

August 28, 2026

A guide to recognizing early signs of edema and keeping your fish healthy.

A partially filled backyard pond showing fresh gravel substrate and some submerged natural rocks, viewed from a ground-level perspective near an old wooden trellis.

Setting Up Your Pond: Don't Rush It.

August 26, 2026

A practical guide to cycling and safely stocking your new freshwater pond.

Fragging Corals: A Beginner's Guide to Starting Out

August 25, 2026

How I learned to safely break and propagate corals in a home reef tank.

A small, well-maintained saltwater reef aquarium with visible hardscape and an upflow algae scrubber running quietly in the background.

Thinking About Upflow Algae Scrubbers?

August 25, 2026

A look at how these units work and if they are right for your reef setup.

A richly planted, mature freshwater aquarium featuring defined central pathways and varied plant textures that show depth from foreground to background.

Getting Deeper with Your Dutch Aquascape Setup

August 23, 2026

How to build contrast and depth when you're ready for more than a basic plant grouping.

A well-lit, mature freshwater aquarium showing vibrant stem plants and an established CO2 diffuser system operating quietly in the background.

Taming the Nutrient Balance: Using EI to Feed Your Plants Right

August 22, 2026

A deeper dive into balancing your high-light planted tanks and getting those nutrient algae issues under control.

A well-maintained, medium-sized reef tank showing a mix of colorful but peaceful fish species (like damselfish and anthias) swimming calmly near healthy coral structures.

Dealing with Nasty Neighbors: Reef Tank Compatibility

August 20, 2026

Understanding social dynamics and keeping peace in your small saltwater setup.

A small, well-planted freshwater aquarium showing vibrant tropical fish (like tetras) calmly schooling near driftwood and Amazon swords, with clear water and visible gravel substrate.

When fish can't swim right: Diagnosing floaters and blowouts.

August 19, 2026

A plainspoken guide to figuring out why your freshwater pets are struggling with their buoyancy.

A medium shot of a healthy freshwater aquarium showing various types of colorful aquatic plants and some small, harmless snail trails on the glass.

The Snail Problem: How to Keep Your Aquarium Clean (and Happy)

August 18, 2026

A practical guide to managing excess snails without resorting to harsh chemicals.

A medium-sized, well-lit home reef aquarium showing mixed corals and healthy rockwork with a dosing pump visible in the background.

The Big Three: Keeping Reef Water Stable (Without Stressing Yourself)

August 16, 2026

A practical guide to dosing Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium for the average home reef setup.

A mid-sized, established saltwater reef tank featuring multiple overhangs of textured, light brown Pukani dry rock with a few corals and small fish visible in the background.

Building a reef with Pukani dry rock

August 15, 2026

Getting started with Fiji's porous favorite for structure and biology.

A close-up shot of a well-maintained, mid-sized reef tank showing vibrant corals and healthy fish, with visible water clarity that suggests proper chemistry management.

What to do when specialized reef testing shuts down?

August 15, 2026

A practical guide for keeping an eye on your tank's health without the big lab services.

A medium-sized, well-established reef tank showing vibrant corals and soft polyps under the glow of high-end LED lighting fixtures.

Tuning Your Reef Lights: Getting the Most Out of Advanced LED Systems

August 13, 2026

A practical look at advanced lighting features for small to mid-sized reef tanks.

A small, well-maintained freshwater planted aquarium featuring vibrant red carpeting plants under a bubble stream diffuser attached to a simple airstone.

DIY CO2: Making Plant Growth Affordable for Your Tank

August 12, 2026

A guide to building a basic, budget-friendly carbonation system using household materials.

A medium-sized, planted freshwater aquarium showing visible gravel substrate and a basic intake pipe feeding into an undergravel filtration system.

Thinking Simple: Undergravel Filters for Reliable Filtration

August 8, 2026

A look at low-tech ways to keep your tanks running smoothly without needing constant power or expensive equipment.