Freshwater Set-Up Articles & FAQs
Components & Set-Up

Freshwater Aquarium Systems

Your First Aquarium: by Ronni Marcum,
General Freshwater Aquarium Set-Up Checklist by Bob Fenner,
Aquarium Set Up: Considerations, Gear & Steps to Completion, ppt. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, by Bob Fenner
Small Freshwater System Examples:
7.9 Gallon/30 Liter Fluval Flora Biotope by Bob Fenner
Karen Kees’ Delightful “Kitchen” 12 gal. Eclipse by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: First Aquariums, First Aquariums 2,

Good Books for Beginners: Part 1, Freshwater & Brackish Aquaria by Neale Monks,
FAQs on: Freshwater & Brackish Books, Magazines,

Goldfish Systems, Components & Maintenance by Bob Fenner,
Goldfish 101: Goldfish May Be Popular, And They May Be Cheap, But That Doesn't Make Them Easy Aquarium Fish by Neale Monks,
FAQs on: Goldfish Systems, Goldfish Systems 2, Goldfish Systems 3, Goldfish Systems 4, Goldfish Systems 5, Goldfish Systems 6, Goldfish Systems 7, Goldfish Systems 8, Goldfish Systems 9, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrogen Cycling,

Betta Systems... More Than Bowls by Bob Fenner,
FAQs on: Betta Systems 1, Betta Systems 2, Betta Systems 3, Betta Systems 4, Betta Systems 5, Betta Systems 6,

Biotopic Presentations

Biotopic Set-Ups, Biotopes - Part 1 by Alesia Benedict,
The Subtropical Aquarium; A cooler kind of fishkeeping by Neale Monks
FAQs on: Freshwater Biotopes, Small System Biotopes,
FAQs on: Freshwater Community, African Biotopes, N. American Natives, Amazon Biotopes, S.E. Asian Biotopes, Planted River Biotopes, Small System Biotopes

Small Freshwater Systems
It's a Small World Pico Tanks By Kirby Adams,
Should small tanks be sold with warning labels? Editorial by Neale Monks,
Stocking 5, 10 & 20 Gallon Freshwater Aquariums by Neale Monks,
Karen Kee's Delightful 12 Gal. Nano by Bob Fenner,
7.9 Gal. Fluval Flora Biotope by Bob Fenner,
FAQs on: Small Freshwater Systems, Small System Biotopes, Stocking Small Systems,

Large FW Systems
FAQs on: Large FW Systems,

Moving on': So you've kept a community tank going for a while. What's next? by Neale Monks

Summer Tropics: A Pond Vacation for Your Aquarium Fish by Bob Fenner,

Converting Marine to Freshwater Set-Ups
FAQs on: Converting Marine to Freshwater Systems,

Rate your tropical fish store; Use these 20 questions to find out if your local retailer is at top of the tank or the bottom of the filter! by Neale Monks

Cut Costs, Not Corners: Good Ways to Save Money (So You Can Buy Another Tank, More Fish, Some Books...) by Neale Monks

Freshwater System Components

Tanks for Freshwater Systems by Bob Fenner
Setting Up Successful Aquariums pt. 1 (.ppt), Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 by Bob Fenner
Do It Yourself: The Indoor Pond by Anthony Calfo
FAQs on: Freshwater Tanks, Size/Shape, DIY, By Manufacturer/Brand: BiOrb, BiUbe Tanks, Olde Tanks,

Aquarium Stands by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Aquarium Stands 1, Aquarium Stands 2, What to Use, About Floors Underneath, DIY, Finishing/Coating, Commercial, Leveling, Leveling 2, Leveling 3, Leveling 4, Modification, Repair,

Lighting

Light, Lighting Non-Planted Freshwater Systems
ZooMed AquaSun LED HO Review by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Light for non-planted freshwater aquariums

Light and Lighting for Planted Aquariums by Bob Fenner
Light Fixtures for the Aquarium Garden by Bob Fenner
ZooMed AquaSun LED HO Review by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Light and Lighting for Planted Tanks,

Lighting Basics; Spectral Qualities of Various Fluorescent Lamps By Dana Riddle
ZooMed AquaSun LED HO Review by Bob Fenner

Canopies, Covers & Lighting Fixtures by Anthony Calfo
FAQs on: Freshwater Canopies, Marine Canopies, Canopies 2,
FAQs on: Canopy/Cover: Rationale, Des ign/Engineering, Construction, Sealing, Reflectors, Fans, Wiring, Repairing,

Substrates/Gravel, Rock & Wood Use

Freshwater Substrates by Bob Fenner,
Nice bottoms; Choosing the right substrate for your aquarium by Neale Monks,
Freshwater Deep Sand Beds Work by Deirdre Kylie,
FAQs on: Freshwater Substrates 1, FW Substrates 2,
FAQs on: FW Substrate Selection, Sources: Collecting Your Own, FW Substrate Physical Properties, FW Substrate Chemical Properties, FW Substrate Amounts & Placement, FW Substrate Changing, Moving, Adding To, FW Substrate Cleaning, FW Substrate Issues, FW DSBs 1, FW Deep Sand Beds (DSBs) 2,

Rock and Wood Use by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Rock and Wood in Aquascaping, Decor Items Selection, DIY Decor, Treating Rock/Wood for Aquarium Use, Troubles/Toxicity,

Plumbing, Circulation, Aeration

Plumbing Marine Systems by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Plumbing 1, Plumbing 2, Plumbing 3, Plumbing 4, Plumbing 5, Plumbing 6, Plumbing 7 Plumbing 8, Plumbing 9, Plumbing 10, Plumbing 11, Plumbing 12, Plumbing 13, Plumbing 14, Plumbing 15, Plumbing 16, Plumbing 17, Plumbing 18, Plumbing 19, Plumbing 20, Plumbing 21, Plumbing 22,
FAQs on: Plans/Designs, Parts: Pipe, Valves, Back-Siphon/Check-Valves, Unions, Sizing, Tools, Solvents ("Glues"), Use of Flexible Tubing, Leaks/Repairs, & Circulation Plumbing, Closed Loop/Recirculation Plumbing, Sump Plumbing, Refugium Plumbing, Drilled Tank Related Plumbing, Overflow/Bulkhead Plumbing, Cool./Cold Marine Set-Up, & See elsewhere on this Page for Pump/ing Considerations, Overflows, Bubble and Noise Problems...

Drilled Tanks, Drilling Holes for Plumbing for Recirculating Systems: Overflows, Bulkheads/Through-puts,
FAQs on: Holes, Holes 2, Holes 3, Holes 4,
FAQs on Drilled Tank Holes: Rationale/Use, Designs, Fittings, Sizing/Number/Placement, Tools & Processes Themselves, Related Plumbing, Troubleshooting/Repair...

"Durso" et al. Stand-pipes &
FAQs on: Stand Pipes,

Circulating FW Systems &
FAQs on: Circulation,

Pumps, Pumping for Freshwater Systems,
FAQs on: Pumps/Circulation for Freshwater Systems,

Make Up Water Systems &
FAQs on: Make Up Water Systems,

Tiny Bubbles (not the Don Ho classic) and Larger Ones
FAQs on: Bubble Troubles 1, Bubble Troubles 2,

Cut the Racket! Sources and Solutions for Pump, Plumbing et al. Noise!
FAQs on: Pump/Plumbing Noise 1, Pump/Plumbing Noise 2,

Avoiding Floods &
FAQs on: Avoiding Floods,

Aeration &
FAQs on: Freshwater Aeration, Air Pumps, Gang Valves, Tubing, Check Valves, Troubles/Fixing,

Water Issues:

Freshwater Aquarium Water Quality
FAQs on: Freshwater Quality 1, Freshwater Quality 2, Freshwater Quality 3,

Test Kits and Testing &
FAQs on: Test Kits,

Chlorine/Chloramine Poisoning: Treating Tap Water by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Chloramine, Chlorine,

pH, Alkalinity, Acidity & You! by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Freshwater pH 1, Freshwater pH 2,
FAQs on pH: Science, Importance, Measure/Test Gear, Buffers/Buffering, Anomalies (Troubleshooting/Fixing), Products by Name/Manufacturer

In praise of hard water; How hard, alkaline water can be a blessing in disguise by Neale Monks,
The Soft Water Aquarium: Risks and benefits by Neale Monks
FAQs on: Water Soft/Hardness,

Water Treatment

Treating New, Source/Tapwater for Marine Aquarium Use (Dechloramination et al.) by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Treating Tapwater 1, Treating Tapwater 2, Treating Tapwater 3,
FAQs on: New Water Treatment: Rationale/Science, Chemicals (Chlorine, Chloramines, Trihalomethanes...), Filtrants, Techniques/Tools, Testing, Troubleshooting, Products by Manufacturer/Brand, DIY Treatment Chemicals/Tools,

Reverse Osmosis, Deionization, Contactors & Other Means of Water Purification & Reverse Osmosis, A Multipurpose Tool By Mark E. Evans
FAQs on: Water Treatment, Water Treatment 2, Water Treatment 3, Water Treatment 4, Water Treatment 5, Water Treatment 6, Water Treatment 7,
FAQs on: RO et al. Water Treatment Gear: Rationale, Selection, Operation, For Commercial/Large Output, RO Water Storage, RO Water Treatment/Adjustment, RO Testing, Maintenance/Repair, Brands/Manufacturers...

Deionizing Water Treatment
FAQs on: Deionizing Water Treatment, & Related FAQs on: DI Rationale/Use, Selection, For Commercial/Large Applications, DI Storage, DI Treatment, DI Testing, Maintenance/Repair, & Brands/Manufacturers: Kati-Ani DI Units, Kold-Steril Unit,

Freshwater Filtration

Freshwater Filtration by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Freshwater Filtration 1, FW Filtration 2,
FAQs on: FW Sponge Filters, FW Cartridge & Canister Filters,
FAQs on: FW Hang-on Filters, FW Hang-on Filters , & their: Selection, Media, Repair, & By Brand/Manufacturer: Hagen (Hush, Marina), Marineland (BioWheel), Tetra (Whisper),
FAQs on: Filtering Large FW Systems (>200 gal.s),
FAQs on: Ultraviolet Sterilizers, Freshwater Sumps/Refugiums, FW Fluidized Bed Filters, FW Wet-Dry Filters, Centralized Filtration, Internal Filters, (Plus see below)

FAQs on: Freshwater Ozone Use,

Know Your Filter Media, A Concise Guide to Your Options by Neale Monks,
FAQs on: FW Filter Material, Chemical Filtrants Including Carbons, Diatom Filtration,

Biological Filtration Concerns

Establishing Cycling/Biological Filtration in Freshwater Systems by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Biological Filtration in Freshwater Systems,
FAQs on: Establishing Cycling 1, Establishing Cycling 2, Establishing Cycling 3, Establishing Cycling 4,
FAQs on: Cycling Products, Cycling Trouble-Fixing, & Biological Filtration, Biological Filtration Media, Freshwater Filtration, Freshwater Set-up, Ammonia, FW Nitrites, FW Nitrates, Chemical & Physical Filtrants (Ammonia Removers, Zeolite, Carbon et al.),

Ammonia in Freshwater Aquariums
FAQs on: Ammonia 1, Freshwater Ammonia 2, Freshwater Ammonia 3,

Nitrites in Freshwater Aquariums
FAQs on: Nitrites in Freshwater Aquariums,

Nitrates in Freshwater Aquariums by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Nitrates in Freshwater Aquariums,

Freshwater Filtration Involving Sumps, Refugiums
FAQs on: Freshwater Sumps/Refugiums,

Power Filter Impressions, A review of some popular mechanical filtration systems by Steven Pro,
FAQs on: FW Hang-on Power Filters, Internal Power Filters,

Undergravel Filters/Filtration by Bob Fenner
5 Pros and Cons of Undergravel Filters by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Freshwater Undergravel Filtration,

Freshwater Deep Sand Beds Work by Deirdre Kylie,
FAQs on: FW DSBs,

Canister Filters By Steven Pro,
FAQs on: FW Canister Filters,

Review of the ViaAqua Canister Filter by Gage Harford

Ultraviolet Filters/Filtration Use in Freshwater Systems,
FAQs on: Freshwater UV Use, FW Ozone Use,

Freshwater Aquarium Aeration, Air Pump Impressions by Steven Pro
FAQs on: Freshwater Aeration, Air Pumps,

Freshwater Circulation & FAQs on: Freshwater Circulation,

Electricity and FW Aquariums

Electricity and Aquariums by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Electricity and Aquariums, Grounding Probes,

G.F.C.I.s, Uses With Aquariums by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: GFI Use on Aquariums, Surge Devices,

Surviving extended power outages: how to keep your aquarium alive! By Mike Maddox and Merritt Adkins
FAQs on: Power Outages,

Heating Freshwater Aquariums by Bob Fenner,
Heater Impressions By: Steven Pro
FAQs on: Heating Freshwater Aquariums, Temperature/s Setting/s, Brands/Manufacturers, Anomalies, Repairs, Chillers/Chilling FW Systems,

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Freshwater Set-Up

Your New Aquarium (Tips For Beginners) by Bob Fenner
Setting Up Your First Freshwater Aquarium by Ronni Marcum
FAQs on: Freshwater Set-up 1, FW Set-Up 2, Large Tanks, Moving, Moving Livestock,

Aquascaping for Beginners; Twenty Tips for Realistic Aquaria by Neale Monks, Aquascaping, Adventures in Aquascaping by Timothy S. Gross
FAQs on: Freshwater Aquascaping, About Faux (Plastic, Silk...) FW Plants,

Rock and Wood Use by Bob Fenner
FAQs on: Rock and Wood in Aquascaping, Decor Items, DIY Decor, Sources, Testing Rock, Curing Woods, Troubles/Toxicity, Live Rock, Leaves/Leaf Litter,

Background Choices & FAQs on: FW Backgrounds, Marine Backgrounds,

Biotopic Set-Ups, Biotopes - Part 1 by Alesia Benedict
FAQs on: Freshwater Biotopes, African Biotopes, N. American Natives, Amazon Biotopes, S.E. Asian Biotopes, Planted River Biotopes, Small System Biotopes

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Freshwater Set-Up Articles & FAQs Components & Set-Up

Freshwater Set-Up Articles & FAQs
Components & Set-Up