Why Did My Fish Die? A Calm Checklist After a Sudden Loss
Finding a dead fish is upsetting, and the first instinct is to start dumping in medicine. Here's a calm, step-by-step checklist to find out what happened and protect the rest of the…
Tank Care
44 articles
Cold-Water River Tanks: Do You Need a Heater?
Many river fish come from cool streams and don't need a heater in a heated house. When a heater helps, when it hurts, how to size one, and the fish that do…
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: Reading Your Test Kit
The three numbers that tell you whether your tank is safe. What each one means, the readings you want, how to test without fooling yourself, and what to do when a number…
How to Set Up a River Manifold (One-Way Flow) Tank
A river manifold pushes water in one direction down the length of the tank, like a real stream. How it works, what you need, a simple DIY layout, and which fish love…
Riparium Plants That Grow With Their Roots in the Water
A riparium grows plants above the waterline with their roots dangling into the tank, like a riverbank. The easiest plants for it, how to mount them, and how they help water quality.
How to Cycle a New Aquarium (Fishless Cycle, Step by Step)
New tank syndrome kills more fish than anything else. How the nitrogen cycle works, how to do a fishless cycle with an ammonia source, how long it takes, and how to know…
Best Substrate for a River Tank: Sand, Pebbles, or River Rock
Real rivers have layers: sand in the slow spots, gravel and smooth stones in the current. How to choose and layer substrate for a natural-looking river tank that's safe for bottom dwellers.
Keeping a Tank Warm (and Breathing) During a Power Outage
When the power goes out, fish face two threats: falling temperature and falling oxygen. What to do in the first hour, how to keep a tank warm without power, and what to…
How to Adjust pH in a Riparium Without Shocking Your Tank
Learn how to adjust pH in a riparium safely: check KH first, change pH gradually, and avoid shocking your fish and shrimp.
How to Clean Aquarium Plants
Having an aquarium can be a wonderful experience that adds to your decor. The soothing sounds of water and watching fish can help calm anxiety, promote relaxation, and lower blood pressure. But…
River Tank EcoSystem Owners Guide
This is a digital copy of the Owner’s guide and Installation guide This was the largest size available from Finn Strong Designs, Inc at the time. Original Retail price I paid was…
How to Clean Aquarium Rocks
Cleaning aquarium rocks is a tedious and messy task that no one wants to do. However, if you want your River Tank looking its best, it needs to be done periodically. Also,I…