The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]

Art breaks down the real differences between Endler’s livebearers and guppies, going far beyond size and colour. You’ll learn how species genetics, natural behaviour, and evolutionary history shape their health, activity levels, and breeding patterns in the aquarium.

You'll hear about the science behind Endlers’ constant foraging behaviour, why guppies and Endlers hybridise so easily, and how tank design, mineral content, temperature, and feeding strategies directly affect long-term success. Whether you’re keeping Endlers, guppies, or both, this episode provides practical, experience-based advice to help you build stable, thriving livebearer tanks.

 

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🎵 Music: "I Don't Want A Silent Night - Instrumental" - Wildflowers (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/909f76d5-bcf8-3607-81c3-1f36251904d2/)

This episode exposes one of the most dangerous myths in guppy keeping: that you need perfect water parameters to keep guppies alive. Discover why constant tweaking of pH, hardness, and temperature quietly kills guppies, and learn what these colourful livebearers actually need: stable, mineral-rich water and a calm, consistent routine. Art  breaks down practical guppy care, soft-water strategies, and more.

Whether you’re losing guppies in a new setup or your fancy strains just don’t last, this exploration of guppy water parameters, hard water livebearers, and stable aquarium maintenance will help you turn things around.

 

🎵Music: "Different Kind Of Lonely" (Instrumental) - The Eastern Plan (Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/9994fed6-9cbe-3acd-8a7d-afcd411d52e6/)

This episode explores what your freshwater aquarium is really doing while you sleep. From plant respiration and fish “sleep” behaviour to oxygen levels and filter bacteria, learn more about the hidden night shift inside your tank. Learn how to create gentle lighting transitions, set up smart night-time aeration, and design an aquascape that keeps your fish calm after dark.

Two troubleshooting segments tackle common night-time problems: fish panicking when lights turn on or off, and oxygen dips that leave fish gasping at the surface. This episode is perfect for beginner and intermediate freshwater keepers who want to understand their tanks as 24-hour ecosystems, not just daytime displays.

 

🎵 Music: "Auld Lang Syne (Acoustic version)" - Loving Caliber (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/c8c90bf6-af03-48c8-bc87-6f2e5d38b5cf/)

Art breaks down the top five New Year resolutions that truly make a difference for freshwater aquarists - not only for your fish, but for your long-term success and enjoyment of the hobby. From building stable aquarium ecosystems to simplifying maintenance routines and improving feeding habits, this episode focuses on practical changes that lead to healthier fish and less stress.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fishkeeper feeling overwhelmed, these aquarium resolutions will help you create more balance, consistency, and confidence in your tanks throughout the year.

👉 Leave a review and share your experience with these resolutions

🎵 Music: "Swaying" - Candelion (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/b99559b7-b6ca-4bd8-b1d0-682f3c9411bf/)

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art unpacks the subtle ways your freshwater aquarium can mislead you. Crystal-clear water, active fish, lush plants, and “good” test results can all hide underlying stress, unstable chemistry, and long-term problems. Learn how to read the real signals in your tank: from fish behaviour and flow patterns to plant growth, algae types, temperature stability, and social dynamics.

You’ll learn how to think beyond appearances, understand the biology and chemistry happening behind the glass, and build simple habits that stop your tank from “lying” to you for long. Whether you’re cycling your first community tank or refining a mature planted setup, this episode will sharpen your eye for early warning signs, system-wide patterns, and long-term stability.

If this episode helped you see your aquarium in a new way, please consider leaving a rating or review as it really supports the show and helps more aquarists find us.

🎵Music: 'Just One Of Those Things' - Victor Lundberg (Epidemic Sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0b04aaed-024f-4485-b8c7-bc5b266b3b40/)