Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Aquarium Care Guide at Nature Aquariums USA

Welcome to our comprehensive FAQ page on aquarium essentials! Whether you're a beginner setting up your first tank or an experienced aquarist expanding your collection, we've got answers to common questions about freshwater (FW) fish, FW shrimp, aquatic plants, saltwater (SW) fish, SW invertebrates, and SW corals. We also cover step-by-step guides on starting FW and SW tanks. As Florida's largest aquascaping and aquatic plants center, we're here to help with expert advice from our marine biology-trained staff. Visit our Lauderhill store for hands-on demos, healthy livestock at internet prices, and custom tank services.

This FAQ is designed to improve your search visibility and provide value – if you have more questions, call us at 754-223-3104 or stop by!

Freshwater (FW) Fish FAQs

What are the best beginner-friendly FW fish?

Popular easy-to-care-for options include tetras, guppies, bettas, and danios. These species are hardy, colorful, and thrive in community tanks. Always match fish sizes and temperaments to avoid aggression. At Nature Aquariums, every sell tank is individually filtered for optimal health – come see our selection!

How do I care for FW fish?

Maintain water parameters: pH 6.5-7.5, temperature 72-82°F, and perform 15-20% weekly water changes. Feed a balanced diet of flakes, pellets, or live foods 1-2 times daily. Monitor for signs of stress like clamped fins. Our team trains newbies on proper care – family-friendly and educational!

What common diseases affect FW fish?

Ich (white spots), fin rot, and swim bladder issues are frequent. Quarantine new fish and use medications like those we stock. Prevention is key: stable water quality and no overstocking.

Freshwater (FW) Shrimp FAQs

What types of FW shrimp are available for aquariums?

We have an assortment of neocaridina (Fire Red, Yellow, etc) and caridina (Amano, Crystal) are favorites. They're great for algae control and add activity to planted tanks. We have a huge variety in our aquascaping center.

How do I set up a tank for FW shrimp?

Use a 10-gallon minimum with hiding spots like plants or driftwood. Keep pH 6.5-8.0, temperature 70-78°F, and low copper levels (avoid tap water without conditioner). Feed shrimp food. Make sure your water's GH stays around 4-6 dGH. We can test your water for optimal shrimp care.

Are FW shrimp compatible with fish?

Yes, with peaceful species like small tetras or rasboras. Avoid aggressive fish like cichlids that might eat them. Shrimp thrive in planted setups – check our largest aquatic plants center in Florida!

Aquatic Plants FAQs

What are the easiest aquatic plants for beginners?

Anubias, Java fern, swords and Cryptocoryne are low-maintenance and don't require CO2 injection. Anubias and Java Fern attach to rocks/wood and grow in low light. Crypts and Swords require a planted substrate.

How do I plant and maintain aquatic plants?

Substrate like nutrient-rich soil helps rooted plants; fertilize with liquid or root tabs. Trim dead leaves and provide 8-10 hours of LED lighting. We specialize in planted aquariums with the biggest selection in Florida.

Why are my aquatic plants dying?

Common issues: insufficient light, nutrients, or CO2; algae overgrowth; or incompatible fish nibbling them. Test water and adjust – our experts can diagnose in-store.

Saltwater (SW) Fish FAQs

What are good beginner SW fish?

Clownfish, damselfish, and gobies are resilient starters. They need stable salinity (1.020-1.025 SG) and a cycled tank.

How do I acclimate SW fish to my tank?

Float the bag for 15-20 minutes to match temperature, then drip-acclimate over 30-60 minutes to adjust salinity. We prioritize fish health with individual filtration.

What feeding tips for SW fish?

Offer a mix of frozen mysis shrimp, brine, and pellets 1-2 times daily. Avoid overfeeding to prevent water quality issues.

Saltwater (SW) Invertebrates FAQs

What SW inverts are suitable for reef tanks?

Hermit crabs, snails (like turbo snails for algae), and cleaner shrimp. They're essential for ecosystem balance.

How do I care for SW inverts?

Maintain calcium 400-450 ppm, alkalinity 8-12 dKH, and provide hiding spots. They're sensitive to copper and poor water quality.

Can SW inverts live with fish?

Yes, in peaceful setups. Avoid predatory fish; inverts like starfish may eat corals, so research compatibility.

Saltwater (SW) Corals FAQs

What are easy-to-grow SW corals for beginners?

Soft corals like mushrooms, zoanthids, and leathers. They tolerate varying lights and flows better than hard corals.

How do I light and feed SW corals?

Use proper lighting for 8-12 hours; spectrum around 14K-20K. Many get nutrition from light (photosynthesis) but supplement with phytoplankton or coral foods. Bring us your light so we can test it for the right PAR.

Why is my coral bleaching?

Stress from temperature swings (75-82°F ideal), poor lighting, or high nutrients. Test parameters and quarantine new additions.

How to Start a Freshwater (FW) Tank

What equipment do I need to start a FW tank?

Essentials: tank (20+ gallons for beginners), filter, heater, substrate, lights, and test kits. Add decor and plants for natural filtration.

Step-by-step guide to cycling a FW tank?

1. Set up equipment and fill with dechlorinated water.
2. Add bacteria starter and ammonia source (fish food or pure ammonia).
3. Test daily for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate – cycle takes 4-6 weeks.
4. Add fish gradually once ammonia/nitrite hit zero.
5. Check out our guide to fishless cycle a tank here

Common mistakes when starting a FW tank?

Overstocking, skipping cycle, or ignoring water changes. Start small – we offer custom bundles at internet pricing!

How to Start a Saltwater (SW) Tank

What equipment is required for a SW tank?

Tank (40+ gallons recommended), protein skimmer, powerheads for flow, live rock/sand, refractometer, and RO/DI water system.

Step-by-step guide to setting up a SW tank?

1. Assemble equipment and mix saltwater to 1.025 SG.
2. Add live rock/sand and cycle with bacteria (4-8 weeks, monitoring parameters).
3. Introduce hardy inverts/fish slowly; add corals last.
4. Maintain with 10-20% weekly water changes.
5. Check out our fishless cycle guide here:

Why is a SW tank more challenging than FW?

Higher maintenance for salinity, lighting, and chemistry. But rewarding for reefs! Our marine biology grads provide expert guidance.