Comments on: 1. Aquarium Basics

By: David Bogert

David Bogert — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:26:04 +0000

In reply to akinniss.

In reply to akinniss ……………. Many thanks for bringing the video to my attention. This is going to have to get some revamping on my end. It appears that fish are just VERY sensitive to continuous low voltage flow across them.

By: akinniss

akinniss — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:35:20 +0000

Hi Dave. It’s been some time. Nice site revamp. Thoughts on King of DIY’s just-released video re: electrocuted fish? It certainly seems as if both he and fellow hobbyist Scott really did lose their large fish to electrocution from faulty heaters. I can’t understand how that’s possible. Theories to explain what happened?

By: Mythbuster

Mythbuster — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:52:49 +0000

David,
my congrats to the fresh “entrance” to your website!

Regarding “… can be freely quoted and used without regard to copyrights” I have quoted you quite a bit in my recent book series about “Myths and Marketing in Aquaristics” (6 volumes published so far, in German). Of course, I’ve respected your copyrights as is good scientific practise. I appreciate all those inspirations I’ve found on your site!

Hermann

By: FishinSam

FishinSam — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:33:27 +0000

Love the new look of the website.
Thanks to you, tanks 17 and 18 with under gravel filters are being cycled.
Thanks for the information and the support.
It’s so strange to have people ask me for information and help with their tank when I’m just following your advice. Science & logic makes everything easier.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 04:42:35 +0000

I just wanted to say thank you for this website. Since I started following your advice, I have spent less money and less time on upkeep while getting better results. I just wish I had found your website in time to set up an under gravel filter.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 12 May 2024 02:42:13 +0000

In reply to Kay. Just go ahead and cycle the aquarium. And read all the Basics sections in this website.

By: Kay

Kay — Sat, 11 May 2024 17:04:57 +0000

Hi Dave,
First, I was so relieved to find your site! I was getting overwhelmed and frustrated with all the conflicting advice. Unfortunately, I had already added plants before I found your site and saw your set up steps noting not to add plants. They have been in for one week. I have a basic tank cartridge filter that came with my 29 gallon aquarium kit. That is all I have done so far other than lighting the aquarium for 5 to 7 hours a day. What do I do now?

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 02 May 2024 21:17:17 +0000

In reply to Matt.

In reply to Matt ….. Easily 90% of the aquariums in the hobby “complete the nitrogen cycle” via water changes. More about this can be found in this article: https://tankstartguide.com/index.php/1-1-10-plants-and-the-new-hobbyist/

More about maintenance can be found in this article https://tankstartguide.com/index.php/1-1-14-aquarium-maintenance/

Note that one of the eighteen chapters in this lengthy website addresses planted tanks. Most all the rest of this website is written about fish only tanks. That is because the vast majority of the aquariums in the world are fish only without plants. More about that in this article: https://tankstartguide.com/index.php/1-5-aquarium-options/

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 02 May 2024 06:42:18 +0000

Hi Dave,

I’m new to this hobby and I’m quite surprised that you don’t recommend plants for the aquarium, it contradicts everything I have read about how plants are basically required to finish the nitrate cycle.

Can I understand why you recommended this and how a non planted tank maintenance would look like and light etc.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:20:30 +0000

In reply to Tathagata. Tathagata .... Green water is simply cloudy water where algae is present in significant numbers. One is just a variation of the other. The more light you have, the more likely the cloudy water will turn green.