For a typical ornamental fish tank, populated with typical species of fish, you should select a filter whose capacity will ensure that the entire water in the aquarium is filtered at least two times per hour (namely, e.g. for a 100-liter aquarium, the minimum filter capacity should be 200 l/h). This is the absolute minimum. It is always worth buying a filter which is higher than the recommended one by one or two models – it ensures more efficient filtration of water in the tank.

Internal filters perform well as standalone devices only in small aquariums with capacity up to about 100 liters. You can also use them in bigger aquariums, but only as temporary or additional devices which support the operation of the main filter. For tanks bigger than 100 l, the best external filters are canister filters such as ULTRAMAX or MAXI KANI. In medium-sized tanks, VERSAMAX cascade filters can also be considered as an alternative.

In an aquarium, lighting performs two functions: it highlights the beauty of a fish tank, thus enabling easy observation, and ensures the growth of plants. You usually select the lighting to satisfy the needs of the latter. In the case of state-of-the-art LED lighting offered by AQUAEL for less demanding plants (e.g. anubias, microsorum, some mosses), as little as 0.15-0.2 W of lighting power per one liter of water in the tank will be sufficient. More demanding plant species need 0.25-0.35 W/l, and the most demanding ones – from 0.4 to 0.6 W. If an aquarium set has an option of lighting expansion (e.g. GLOSSY sets, LEDDY 75 set, AQUA4HOME and AQUA4FAMILY sets), you should choose the number of lighting modules to match the needs of the plants you intend to tend. If the set does not have such an option, it is best to do it the other way round and select plants which will be satisfied with the amount of light provided.

In theory, it is not, because all modern aquarium filters offered by AQUAEL provide water aeration. However, it is always good to install an aeration device in your tank – firstly, it ensures better conditions for its inhabitants; secondly, it protects them against lack of oxygen, when the filter is blocked; thirdly, bubbles flowing from the bottom upwards look nice and increase the tank’s appeal.

An aquarium aeration device should ALWAYS be put below the level of water in a tank. This protects you against flooding of the apartment, when water in the aeration tube recedes, which can happen if there is a blackout. Alternatively, you can mount a check valve on the aeration tube (offered by AQUAEL; for OXYPRO aeration device, it is included with the device).

First of all, to cut costs. LED modules of lamps consume half the energy that fluorescent lamps consume and provide the same amount of light. Moreover, they can work for many years, and you do not have to change them every year (as in the case of fluorescent lamps). It allows you to save a considerable amount of money. Besides, LED lighting does not unnecessarily heat water in the aquarium, and it projects beam light towards the surface of the water, so you do not have to use reflectors.

A fish tank with the capacity of about 100 l (that is 75-80 cm in length) will be the best. A 50-liter aquarium (60 cm in length) is the absolute minimum. Such tanks are big enough to facilitate fast development of biological balance – thanks to which the water will be clear and transparent, even if the novice aquarist makes some minor mistakes (which is normal). In smaller tanks, such balance is much more delicate. That is why they are recommended to slightly more experienced persons.

Yes, you can. What is more, covers offered by AQUAEL do not lose the manufacturer’s warranty if you do it. Moreover, they have special features in the form of designated places for cutting out such openings. It is best to use a sharp carpet knife for that purpose.

Active substrates, such as ADVANCED SOIL products, are much better for plants for many reasons. Firstly, they are soft, which enables unhampered growth of roots. Secondly, they contain nutrients necessary for the growth of plants, especially species which form extended root systems (e.g. cryptocorynes). Thirdly, they facilitate biological filtration of water, as beneficial nitrifying bacteria grow in them. Fourthly, they delicately change and stabilize water parameters. Moreover, their beautiful color highlights the subtle hues of plants, fish and shrimps.

The new GLOSSY WHITE SAFE TANK aquarium line comprises two sheets of glass with a layer of protective film between them. Thanks to that, if a pane breaks or cracks accidentally, the water stays in the tank and there is no risk that the apartment will be flooded, and the aquarist has time to safely evacuate the tank’s inhabitants.

It depends on the species. Generally, it is assumed that there should be at least 1 liter of water for each centimeter of length of each fish in the tank  – so no more than 20-25 rather small fish can swim in a 100-liter aquarium.

This set is generally used for shrimps, but it can also be a home for a few small fish. It works very well as a dwelling for a single (!) male betta. Alternatively, you can settle a small school of tiny Endlers, a few small rasbora (e.g. dwarf rasbora) or Danio margaritatus (so-called “Galaxy” rasbora) there.

Of course – it improves the safety of a tank. If one of the filters becomes blocked in the absense of the aquarist, the other filter keeps filtering the water. It is especially recommended to combine an external filter (e.g. FAN, TURBO) with a bucket filter (e.g. MAXI KANI); the first one takes care of mechanical filtration, the other – biological filtration. Thanks to such a solution, a bucket filter does not virtually get clogged and can work without cleaning for many months. An alternative solution is to install an innovative ULTRAMAX bucket filer equipped with a pre-filter, which protects the inside against clogging, embedded in the hood. It works like two filters in one casing!

SUNNY lamps are generally used in tanks which have only one source of light (e.g. a hood where you can install only one module). They ensure nicely reflected colors in the aquarium and a good growth of plants. It is worth installing PLANT modules/lamps as additional light sources, preferably at the back of the aquarium (behind the SUNNY module). They ensure excellent plant growth. In typical plant or natural aquariums, you can also install only PLANT modules.

For health reasons, among others. A so-called open aquarium (without a hood) significantly improves the microclimate of the room where it is situated. It releases moisture which naturally increases humidity in the air. As a result, you can breathe better in such a room. This can be observed especially by persons suffering from respiratory illnesses, allergies, as well as… by habitual smokers. Apart from that, an open aquarium looks very ornamental and becomes an excellent part of aquascaping, which is popular these days. What is more, LEDDY SLIM lamps are versatile – thanks to sliding brackets, they can be installed on every tank, also on a tank of non-standard length, which no “factory” aquarium hood fits onto.

It can happen on rare occasions – it applies especially to those species and varieties of fish, which do not have scales (some catfish, rays, etc.). If you have them in your aquarium, it is worth installing an ULTRAHEATER, whose casing is made of plastic. It does not conduct heat like glass does and is fully safe even for the most sensitive inhabitants of your tank. What is more, it does not break, so it is also perfect for big fish, even aquatic turtles which could easily break a heater encased in glass.

For a small pool, we recommend the FAN MIKRO filter, or any of external ASAP filters. They can work in very shallow water (only a few centimeters deep). MAXI KANI canister filters are perfect for bigger terrarium pools and aquatic terrariums. They have an external pump which can be installed in quite shallow water. They ensure efficient filtration and effectively protect water against cloudiness and unpleasant smell.

It is not recommended to change all filters at once, as they are reservoirs of beneficial nitrifying bacteria which purify aquarium water of toxic nitric compounds. However, ceramics crumbles with time and, as a result, its active surface, available for bacteria, shrinks. That is why, when cleaning the filter, it is recommended to segregate the ceramics and remove about 20-30% of the most damaged pieces and replace them with new ones. To limit cartridge crumbling, it is good to replace traditional ceramics with BIOCERAMAX 1200 or 1600 cartridges. They are made of very durable fritted glass, they have a much bigger surface available to bacteria, and they can work much longer without the need of replacement.