The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]: Daily Summaries Delivered

Best Schooling Fish for Home Aquariums (Shoaling vs Schooling Explained)

Ever bought “schooling fish” and watched them split up into little cliques? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down the real difference between shoaling vs schooling, why many popular “schooling fish” don’t actually school in home tanks, and how to set up your aquarium to bring out natural group behaviour. You’ll learn which freshwater species are the best schooling and shoaling fish for community aquariums, plus the practical rules that make a school look tight, confident, and stress-free. If you want a calmer tank, better fish confidence, and that “moving as one” look, this episode is your blueprint. 💬 Join the conversation: What’s the best schooling fish you’ve kept, and how many were in the group?

Unusual Everyday Foods You Can Safely Feed Freshwater Aquarium Fish

In this episode Art explores unusual everyday foods that can be safely used as occasional treats in a freshwater aquarium. From courgette, cucumber, peas, spinach, pumpkin, butternut, sweet potato, carrot, and green beans, you’ll learn which foods suit different freshwater fish and how to prepare them properly. We also explain why these foods should supplement, not replace, a balanced fish food diet, and how to avoid common feeding mistakes that can affect water quality. Whether you keep goldfish, guppies, mollies, bristlenose plecos, corydoras, bettas, shrimp, or snails, this episode will help you make safer, more informed feeding choices. You’ll also learn which everyday foods should never go into your aquarium. Keywords: freshwater aquarium foods, safe foods for aquarium fish, feeding freshwater fish vegetables, courgette for plecos, peas for goldfish, aquarium fish diet, fishkeeping tips, freshwater fish nutrition, unusual fish foods, aquarium feeding guide.

Why Guppies Are So Fun to Keep - Colour, Personality, Easy Care & Fry Surprises

Guppies are more than “beginner fish"! They’re colourful, interactive, and endlessly entertaining in a home freshwater aquarium. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art shares why guppies are so fun to keep, from their bold personalities and constantly-on-the-move behaviour to the way lighting and tank design make their colours explode. He also covers the reality of guppy breeding and fry, smart stocking and tank setup tips, and simple troubleshooting for common guppy problems like fin damage and stress. _____________________________________________ guppy fish, guppies, guppy care, guppy tank setup, livebearer fish, freshwater aquarium fish, guppy breeding, planted tank guppies, beginner fishkeeping

Why Minerals Matter in Your Freshwater Aquarium: GH, KH, Fish Health & Plant Growth Explained

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores why minerals are essential for a healthy freshwater aquarium. From GH and KH to pH stability, fish health, shrimp moulting, snail shell development, and aquarium plant growth, you’ll learn how dissolved minerals quietly shape the success of your tank. Whether you use tap water, RO water, or a planted aquarium setup, this episode will help you understand what your water is really doing. We also explain why clear water is not always healthy water, why chasing pH can cause problems, and how to create stable, suitable water for your fish and plants.

Activated Carbon (Charcoal) in Aquariums: What It Does, When to Use It, and Common Myths

Activated carbon (often called “charcoal”) is one of the most common aquarium filter media, but what does it actually do, and do you really need it running all the time? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down how activated carbon works, what it removes, what it doesn’t remove, and the best times to use it in a freshwater aquarium. You’ll also learn why pet shops sell carbon so aggressively and how to avoid the cartridge-replacement trap that can destabilise your filter.

How to Build a Low-Stress Aquarium: A Stable, Low-Maintenance Freshwater Setup for Busy Fishkeepers

Want a freshwater aquarium that stays stable, looks great, and doesn’t turn into a weekly stress project? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down exactly how to build a low-stress aquarium setup. An aquarium that’s forgiving, low-maintenance, and reliable even when life gets busy. You’ll learn how to pick the right tank size for stability, simplify filtration, choose hardy fish and easy plants, set a sensible lighting schedule, and create a routine you’ll actually stick to.

The Joy And The Stress Of Aquariums

Aquarium Lighting Explained: PAR, Spectrum, Algae & How to Choose the Right Fish Tank Light