Do Moss Balls Really Work?

That all depends on what you want. Here's some things that Moss Balls do really well for your aquarium...

They are Entertaining

In most aquariums across North America, all you will see are boring plastic pirates with bubblers and ceramic castles, maybe a few neon plastic plants. Snooze! Moss balls are a live living plant that actually work in the tank and live in the tank.

They will change size, they will go up and down, and they will even move around. They are growing, adapting, and cleaning your tank and its water. Few people have them and many people will be impressed that you have them. Want a great story to tell?

They are an Activity for your Fish and Aquatic Creatures

One of the most pleasing things to see in an aquarium is when the fish and other creatures are having a great time without all of the excitement of their natural environment. As a tank keeper I am always trying to find ways to make things more natural in my tanks. I hate artificial layouts and dull and unhappy sea life.

Adding moss balls to the tank gives your creatures (in my case neon tetras, shrimps) something fun to play with. The tetras will brush against them for a massage. The snails will push them around as they place their suction all over them, and my shrimp will attempt to make games out of them though I am doubtful if they are winning their games. It's always entertaining.

They are a Natural Filter

Natural filters in enclosed and artificial environments are always helpful. They will reduce the frequency and expenses in changing out filters and water (though you should still be doing that). You should notice a cleaner water that is much less cloudy than before the moss balls were living in your tank.

They are Affordable

Moss balls are actually reasonably priced for what they do and where they come from. Many are shipped in from Asia and responsibly harvested from the wild. They are abundant in their natural habitats. To get a live, underwater plant delivered from so far at such reasonable prices is quite pleasing for this hobby.

Another Beautiful Woman Shows you How to Clean a Fish Tank

Wow! A Gorgeous Woman Cleaning her Home Aquarium. Watch and take Notes!!!

Here are my Notes:

It's obvious from the video that her tank is way too dirty. The comments section also agrees and that the tank should not have to be cleaned that often. Less feeding an better quality filters that are fitted properly and installed properly will take care of that problem.

Common Questions about Fluval Fish Tanks Answered Before Buying

Are the Lights Strong Enough to Grow Plants?

This one is a toss up. Typically LEDs appear to not provide enough light for growing plants. Actually though for grow rooms and seed starting for gardens they are more than enough. The same is true for the tank as long as tall plants are not competing with shorter plants. Also keep in mind that where you place the tank makes a big impact. If it's in a living room with large windows the LED lights won't matter. Your plants will grow fast! Java ferns and mosses will thrive from the LED.

Fluval Shui is one of the newest, sexiest models of fish tank. Most of these questions are best answered applying to this model, but also apply to six and ten gallon models. Click the photo above for more reviews. Turning on/off the LED lights

The LED lights are a really nice touch on these aquarium. Typically fish tanks use compact fluorescent lights. These are more energy efficient and save a lot of money. Often there is also the option of choosing a specific LED color, though that is dependent on which model you choose.

Is the Waterfall and Filter Good Enough?

The waterfall or fountain at the top of Fluval tanks is attached to the filter and comes with all models. You do not need to buy it separately. Many reviews agree that Betta and Guppies love the waterfall effect and that the filter is more than efficient for their needs. The two are attached and should not be turned off unless necessary.

Does the Tank have to be Plugged in to Work?

In order for the filter to work it has to be plugged in at all times. The lighting is optional with the flick of a switch. Most filters have to be on at all times, though they are not huge energy hogs. It is completely safe to have an aquarium plugged in 24/7. If you wanted though you could plug the tank into a timer on the wall, allowing you to have it on for only certain hours of the day.

What Material are Fluval Tanks Made of?

All of the Fluval tanks I have ever had (3 now) are made of glass. They feel lightweight for how impressive they look and I almost thought they were made of plastic at first.

Do Fluval Tanks Come with Stones, Substrate, and Plants?

No, all of the Fluval models on the market now are the basic build of the tank, filter, and lighting unit. Substrate or stones and plants are bought separately. I recommend some nice centerpiece rocks and/or driftwood. It will really make a dramatic look. Shrimp or plant stratum with their charchol black color look amazing with Bettas!

How do I Clean the Filter?

There is no cleaning necessary. Like most tanks it is simply buying and replacing dirty pads with disposable filter pads. These can be bought online with the order or at most big box stores.

What Kind of Noise Does this Tank Make?

Unlike many cheaper tanks this one is nice and quiet. It reminds me of one of those relaxing water fixtures you see at a doctors office waiting room with water trickling from the top of a rock, landing in a reservoir, and then repeating at the top. If it is filled to the top there will be absolutely no noise. If you want a little sound from the splashing of water, less water will solve that problem.

Will I need a Heater with this Tank?

Fluval tanks do not come with heaters so it is recommended to buy an external heater. These are affordable, often one-time purchases. They attach via suction cups on the inside of the aquarium. Choose the appropriate heater for the appropriate size listed on the heater. Just about every tank should have one.

How much does the Fluval Weigh when Filled with Water?

On the smallest models it looks like right around 50 lbs. On the larger models it's over 70 lbs. I never advocate moving around a tank that is full of water. It is dangerous for the person and the contents of the aquarium. Though the question is important because sometimes you need to know how much the unit will weigh and whether or not your table, desk, or stand can hold the weight. Check your support for 100 lbs and you will have more than enough to hold a full tank.

Designing a Fish Tank with Live Giant Hairgrass

Eleocharis montevidensis or giant hairgrass is a gorgeous edition to most tanks. For those who like to keep a tank that looks simplistic and modern, a great edition to a Fluval design will do well in implementing a planting of hairgrass.

Hairgrass should be grown in tanks with fish that are smaller than one inch. I like it in my neon tetra and zebra danios tank. It also looks way more attractive planted in longer rather than taller tanks. To pull off the short and tall look one needs a large center piece like a twisting and crooked driftwood piece that starts from the bottom and goes to the top.

The best photos of hairgrass are deceptive. Typically a 5-10 gallon tank will have 15-20 of these planted to give the field of grass look. This is the most desirable look. One or two plants looks kind of out of place and does not provide the desired look of giving the fish a natural location for protection and breeding.

Eleocharis montevidensis also pairs well with mosses. Because it makes such a showy scene, reminisient of a Japanese garden only one or two companions should be choosen. Less is more as far as variety is concerned. Stick with a moss because it will make the foreground look much larger and the difference in size between the moss and the hairgrass will be more pronounced.

Besides a strong and tall piece of driftwood in tall tanks, longer shorter tanks would be well to include several smaller rocks. Focus on dark, metallic, gray looking rocks with rough edges, and natural dark spots. The dull elements in the dark crevices of the rock will really couple with the drama you are building.

As usual, this scene is set up nicely with Fluval Stratum. Here's my guide to choosing a substrate for your aquarium.

What are the Pros and Cons of Buying Fluval Aquariums Over Cheap Tetra Tanks?

This is a question I get a lot: "what makes Fluval tanks so expensive?" Or better yet: "why should I buy any other tank other than a Fluval aquarium?" The two are related because the Fluval brand is one of the most expensive on the market. Usually more than one hundred dollars for a modest 10 gallon or less tank. Whereas for less than $50 you could go to your local market and get a 50 gallon tank for under $50.

Here's what you should consider before buying a Fluval tank and why I think they might be the right fit for you.

First of all, I have upgraded all of my tanks to Fluval. That's the full disclosure. I know the pros and cons and can live with them.

Fluval Tanks are a Pain in the Butt to Clean

And just to be honest, here's the biggest con associated with the Fluval brand: they are really hard to clean. The attractive square design and the look of an infinity pool at the top leaves little space for the dilligent fish keeper to clean. If you are like me you prefer to get in there with a brush or even a magnet algae cleaner on a regular basis, often a few times a month.

What I have learned from this is to be really diligent about filling the tank with what I want, cleaning it prior and introducing the right living material in the tank so as not to make it a real pain in the butt when I absolutely have to clean.

For starters, anything you put in the tank has to come from a great source. If you are going to your local pond or lake and pulling pond scum, plants, frogs and turtles, Fluval is not for you. Go for Tetra. You will need to diligently clean the tank and you will need to constantly rearrange the space to accommodate the needs of the living species in there as they adapt to their new environment.

Don't buy fish at just any big box store. If you are buying a Fluval tank order your fish from a specialist. This might be in town, probably not anymore though. Online orders are actually a great idea. Choose same or next day shipping.

Finally fill the tank with the right species to keep it clean. I choose live plants that are not going to be constantly falling apart or decomposing in the aquarium that I have to fish them out. If you don't get an algae-eater fish, go for snails. In my Fluval's I have two snails for each, sometimes many more when they reproduce. This is a necessity even in a five gallon tank.

Fluval Tanks are Sexy

That chic square design that feels like something out of Europe or better yet, IKEA is pretty slick. It actually looks really sexy in a modern home design. Even in a cozy, shabby chic home Fluval tanks look like they belong.

You might be thinking this is no big deal but it really is the biggest deal. How long are you planning on keeping a fish tank in the house? Realistically, it's not going to sit there for a year or less. Most people buy a tank, fill it up, and forget about it except for a couple of times a year over the next decade or two. If your tank is going to be in your house for 10+ why not get something that's going to look great?

Because of the square and elevated designs of the Fluval tanks viewing is much easier. This can be a huge advantage for someone who really appreciates showing off their tank and species within it. I like to enjoy the shrimp crawling over and out of the mosses that I have attached to driftwood. It is relaxing and totally therapeutic.

Overall everything just looks natural. The lack of plastic barriers between the sides of the glass gives the impression that the tank is just part of the landscape of the house. You almost forget the fish are in a tank.

Bottom Line: You're going to have a tank for a long time. Decide what you want. Tetra tanks are much easier to manually clean and are significantly cheaper. Fluval tanks are gorgeous looking, but difficult to manually clean and a lot more expensive. What fits your lifestyle?

What Size Aquarium or Fish tank do I Need to Grow Live Plants?

This was a topic I was going to write about a couple of years ago actually when the idea for developing this blog first came about. I like most people started filling my first tank (10 gallon Tetra kit) with plastic neon plants. I never realized as a youth that I could be afforded the chance to replace those with way better live plants that I could buy at my local Meijer or Walmart. Of course, later I would buy them online or reputable hobby aquarium shops. One thing that took a long time to understand though, was what size of tank I needed in order to grow my live plants. Here's my simple guide.

If you are going to be putting live plants in the Tetra 3 Gallon like the one pictured to the right, which I don't recommend you buy if you are serious about this hobby, you are going to be limited to 2-3 plants max! This is mostly due to the size, though the awkward entry point from the LED light at the top makes maintaining and planting in these cube tanks tough.

Planting live plants in anything smaller than a 3 gallon is just irresponsible and stupid. I've seen pictures all the time of fancy home designs in magazines or on Pinterest that have tiny fish tanks all around with one betta or guppie each, and some with a huge plant. All of us hobby aquarium keepers know that that is immoral and no fun for the fish or the hobbyist. Three gallon is the minimum with the only exception being moss balls.

Once we get a little higher than three gallon it starts to open up some doors for more elaborate live plantings. It also allows for some really cool dedicated aquascaping which is really what our eventual goal is. In a five gallon tank consider the placement of the plants and the focal point you want to create. Starting at that size, a lot of aquarium owners love to make a piece of driftwood or lava rock the center piece with the plants surrounding it but not overbearing it.

When you get to a ten gallon or more tank you are able to take advantage of beautiful lush landscapes of live plants like you never imagined. Though you will have to keep in mind, limiting natural light because it will cause algae outbreaks, and the use of C02 since you will have so many plants in there working so hard to thrive.

In the bigger tanks I've always enjoyed creating a full background. Instead of buying those neon colored backgrounds with photographs of someone else's tank, why not fill your own? Look for tall and full plants for the back. In the mid ground leave pockets of space open so that you can view your fish and create more natural focal points. I love placing smaller river stones in those locations, giving my snails a place to hide. And finally in the foreground place the smaller mosses and java ferns that are short and stubby. You don't want to hide your beautiful designs with plants that grow way to tall and bushy.

So what's the rule? There really is no rule. Just consider the space your fishes need to swim in to be comfortable and enjoyable for both you and them. Stuffing a bunch of live plants in a one gallon or less tank is really not a good idea. Three gallon is your minimum for planting and should be limited to just a couple of breath-taking or forgettable plants, depending on what your centerpiece is. After you get past five gallons the sky is the limit. Just remember it's more maintenance for you then.

Moving and New Gear - Aquarium Plans for 2016

It's been a long time since I've posted on here and just wanted to stop by and touch base. I'm still in the aquarium hobby, but I moved just after my last post in 2014 and just moved more recently a couple of months ago. During that two year period I was without aquariums completely. It was hard and actually quite brutal.

Thankfully, I'm back to civilization at a place where I can have my own tanks again. Hopefully over the next couple of months I can share some more reviews with you as I have some new Fluval tanks, some new gear, new substrate to review, and some different plants to write about.

Stay tuned!