The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]

What happens when you love aquarium keeping, but your landlord says no tanks? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore how to negotiate aquarium restrictions responsibly, gain practical fishkeeping experience without owning a tank, and use virtual aquariums to develop useful planning and aquascaping skills. You’ll also discover how learning about the nitrogen cycle, fish compatibility, local water parameters, and aquarium equipment now can give you a major advantage when you eventually set up your first freshwater aquarium.

Have you ever been prevented from keeping an aquarium by a lease, budget, move, or change in circumstances? Share your experience so that others can learn from you!

Shared in the episode: Eastern Cape Aquarium and Aquascaping Club: https://www.ecaac.co.za

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show. 

☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom

In today's episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art explores the five most common fish diseases every freshwater aquarist eventually faces: white spot (ich), fin rot, fungal infections, velvet, and dropsy. He explains exactly how to identify and treat each one. Whether you're struggling with a tank suddenly covered in white spots or worried about ragged fins, this episode is packed with clear treatment plans you can use straight away. Learn what's really happening to your fish, from the protective slime coat and the role of stress, to the parasite life cycles that make treatment timing so important. You'll also learn the clever torch trick that reveals velvet before it's too late, and why water quality and quarantining new fish prevent more outbreaks than any medication ever will.

⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a review as it helps other fishkeepers find the show. 

☕ Support the show by buying Art a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom

Has the aquarium that once helped you relax started to feel like another source of stress? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores aquarium burnout, fishkeeping guilt and the cycle that can turn an enjoyable hobby into an overwhelming maintenance burden.

You’ll learn why aquarium motivation fades, how perfectionism and decision fatigue affect fish keepers, and how to create a realistic recovery plan without immediately dismantling your tank. Healso discusses simplifying multiple aquariums, establishing a minimum care routine, reconnecting with the creative side of fishkeeping and recognising when responsible rehoming may be the right decision.

Whether you are struggling to complete water changes, feeling guilty about aquarium maintenance or considering leaving the hobby, this episode offers practical and compassionate advice to help you move forward.

Referenced in this episode: https://theaquaristsedge.beam.ly/episode/aquarium-perfectionism-how-to-stop-comparing-your-fish-tank-and-enjoy-the-hobby-again 

If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom

A healthy aquarium does not need to look like a flawless social media post. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art examines how aquarium perfectionism develops, why online aquascapes can create unrealistic expectations, and how constant adjustments may affect both your enjoyment and your fish.

You’ll learn how to separate responsible aquarium care from anxiety-driven maintenance, evaluate your tank using fish welfare and stability rather than appearance alone, and set realistic standards for planted aquariums and freshwater fishkeeping. Discover why algae, uneven plant growth, visible equipment and changing layouts are not always signs of failure, and why a sustainable aquarium is often better than a visually perfect one.

If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom

Can you move indoor aquarium fish outdoors for the warmer months? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores how to keep freshwater aquarium fish outside safely.

We cover seasonal timing, outdoor tub and pond setup, temperature swings, predators, oxygen levels, algae, feeding, breeding, and the importance of preventing aquarium fish from escaping into local waterways. Whether you’re considering guppies, ricefish, white cloud mountain minnows, goldfish, or other hardy freshwater species, this episode will help you make better decisions for fish health and environmental safety.

You’ll learn why outdoor fishkeeping can bring out natural behaviours and breeding activity, but also why careful planning, legal responsibility, and daily observation are essential.

If this episode has been helpful to you, please consider buying me a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/artsfishroom