
The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]
Arthur Preston
The Aquarist’s Edge is your trusted source for all things freshwater fishkeeping. Hosted by Arthur Preston of Art’s Fish Room, this podcast dives into the latest aquarium news, expert advice, species spotlights, and practical tips for hobbyists of all levels. Whether you're breeding guppies or setting up your first tank, The Aquarist’s Edge brings insight, inspiration, and community to your fishkeeping journey.
- 100 episodes
- Updated Yesterday
Episodes100
May 24, 2025 · 11 min- TA
May 16, 2025 · 10 minWhy Fasting Your Fish Improves Health, Water Quality, and Tank Balance
Have you ever felt guilty for not feeding your fish? You may actually have helped make them healthier! In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the surprising science and practical benefits of fasting your community aquarium fish. Learn how strategic fasting improves digestion, reduces waste buildup, supports water quality, and mimics natural feeding rhythms. We cover species-specific advice, common myths, troubleshooting signs, and how to build a fasting schedule that supports long-term fish health. Whether you're caring for goldfish, bettas, corydoras, or a full community tank, this episode provides expert insights and actionable tips.
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May 9, 2025 · 12 minClown Loach Care Guide 101
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we learn about the basics of care for the often-misunderstood Clown Loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus), covering everything from their natural habitat in Indonesian floodplains to their unique behaviours in the home aquarium. Whether you're housing juveniles or managing a mature shoal, you'll learn how to design the perfect tank, maintain ideal water conditions, feed for health and growth, prevent disease, and troubleshoot common problems. You can search for Care Guides episodes in your favourite podcast app or go take a look at the Aquarist Edge Care Guide episodes on YouTube: Care Guides (YouTube playlist) 👉 Don’t forget to leave a review and share your thoughts.
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May 2, 2025 · 13 minYou Put It Where? How to Choose the Best Spot for Your Fish Tank
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we answer one of the most critical and misunderstood questions in fishkeeping: Where should you place your aquarium? With expert-level insights, we cover everything from structural safety and natural light to temperature stability, noise, and real-life home scenarios. Whether you're setting up a nano tank or a 600-liter community display, this episode offers practical advice, troubleshooting solutions, and tips that will help you make the best decision for both you and your fish. 🗨️ Share your tank placement wins (or horror stories) by leaving a voice comment here: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/contact You can also leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you for taking a moment to help us out! Episode music: Music track: November by Limujii Source: https://freetouse.com/music Royalty Free Music for Videos (Safe)
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Apr 26, 2025 · 18 minAre We Also Guilty? Response to "The Dark Hobby" documentary film
The recently released documentary film entitled "Aquariums: The Dark Hobby" shines a light on the marine aquarium hobby's impact on Hawaii's reefs and the broader marine ecosystem. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we journey from marine coral reefs to freshwater riverbeds, uncovering what ethical, sustainable fishkeeping really means for freshwater aquarists. While marine hobbyists often face criticism, the freshwater world has its own victories—and its blind spots. We’ll explore the hidden carbon cost of our fishrooms, celebrate major breeding successes, and finish with several easy eco-friendly habits you can start this week to make a difference. No guilt trips - just practical wisdom and real-world examples to empower every hobbyist. 🌿 Don’t forget to leave a review and share your feedback: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/episodes Aquariums: The Dark Hobby documentary: https://aquariumsthedarkhobby.com/ Project Piaba - creating sustainable freshwater aquarium trade: https://projectpiaba.org/
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Apr 18, 2025 · 15 minStunning Planted Tanks Without CO2
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the art and science of building a vibrant planted aquarium without CO₂ injection. Learn how to choose the right plants, lighting, substrate, and layout strategies to create lush growth with minimal tech and maintenance. Whether you're a beginner or an aquascaper on a budget, this episode will help you build a tank that thrives naturally and looks amazing doing it. 📝 Feedback link as mentioned in the episode: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/contact
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Apr 11, 2025 · 11 minGuppy Genetics Made Simple
In this week’s episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we’re taking the mystery out of guppy genetics and turning it into a clear, beginner-friendly guide for hobbyists who want to breed stunning guppies right at home. From dominant and recessive genes to punnett squares and strain development, this episode is packed with practical insights, scientific explanations, and real-world advice you can apply to your own tank. Whether you’re curious why your fry don’t match the parents or you're ready to build your first breeding line, this is your go-to guide for understanding guppy heredity, trait tracking, and breeding strategy. Arthur mentions Punnet Squares in this episode. You can read more about how to use these with your guppy breeding project here: https://artsfishroom.co.za/understanding-guppy-genetics-a-beginners-guide-to-punnett-squares/ Mentioned in this podcast: "Are Our Guppies Weak?"
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Apr 4, 2025 · 12 minAquarium Salt Explained - Hidden Benefits, Dangerous Myths, How To Use It Safely
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the use of aquarium salt - one of the most powerful, misunderstood tools in freshwater fishkeeping. From the science of osmoregulation to practical treatment techniques, we break down what salt does, when to use it, and when it can do more harm than good. Whether you’re dealing with parasites, stress, nitrite spikes, or simply wondering if salt belongs in your tank at all, this episode is packed with insights, real-life examples, and myth-busting clarity for hobbyists at every level. 🧂 Learn how to dose correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and understand the physiology behind salt use in aquariums. Share the podcast: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io
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Mar 28, 2025 · 10 minWhat Is Biofilm?
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the slimy, often misunderstood layer of microbial life known as biofilm. We learn that is absolutely essential to the health and balance of your aquarium. From its critical role in biological filtration and nutrient cycling, to how it feeds shrimp, fry, and snails - we go deep into the science and practical applications of biofilm in both planted and non-planted setups. Whether you're cycling a new tank or fine-tuning a shrimp colony, this episode has everything you need to master the art of biofilm.
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Mar 21, 2025 · 13 min10 Tips For Helping Cherry Shrimp Thrive
In today’s episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore 10 incredibly useful tips for keeping your Cherry Shrimp healthy, colourful, and thriving. Whether you're starting a new colony or troubleshooting mysterious disappearances, this episode explores everything you need to know - from tank setup to feeding, water quality, breeding, and more. You’ll also learn how to avoid common mistakes, spot hidden dangers, and master the art of keeping shrimp safe in your community aquarium. 📝 Leave a review and tell us how your Cherry Shrimp are doing: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/reviews 🐟 Check out Art’s Fish Room for all your shrimp supplies: https://artsfishroom.co.za
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Mar 16, 2025 · 47 minFrom Hobbyist To Aquatic YouTuber With More Than 10k Subs! Interview with @SimplyAquaticCT
Interview with Tristan Fourie (@SimplyAquaticCT). In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, host Arthur Preston sits down with Tristan Fourie to discuss his journey in the aquatic hobby and his expertise in freshwater shrimp breeding. From starting out in fishkeeping to building a top-class shrimp room, Tristan shares his knowledge, experiences, and the importance of community in the hobby. 📌 Topics Covered: ✔️ How Tristan got started in the aquatic hobby ✔️ His journey to becoming a top shrimp breeder ✔️ The process of building a top-class shrimp room ✔️ Key tips for successful shrimpkeeping and breeding ✔️ The value of community in the fish and shrimp hobby Follow Tristan here: YouTube: / @simplyaquaticct Instagram: / simplyaquaticct - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Home of The Aquarist's Edge podcast: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io
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Mar 8, 2025 · 11 minFish Food Matters! - Ensuring Fish Health Through Thoughtful Feeding
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore how to revitalize your aquarium fish through proper diet and supplementation. From DIY fish food recipes to nutrient-packed commercial supplements, this episode is your complete guide to enhancing your fish’s health. We break down the essential nutrients fish need for growth, immunity, and vibrant colouration while tackling common feeding mistakes that could be harming your aquarium. 🐠 Need top-quality aquarium supplies? Visit Art’s Fish Room: https://artsfishroom.co.za 🎧 Enjoying the show? Leave a review and share your thoughts!
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Feb 28, 2025 · 7 minAngelfish - Devils In Disguise?
Are angelfish the graceful beauties of the aquarium world, or are they secretly little troublemakers? In this extended episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore the behaviour of angelfish, their natural instincts, and what causes them to turn aggressive. From ideal tank setups to managing aggression and choosing the right tankmates, we cover everything you need to know to keep your angelfish happy and your tank peaceful. *Please consider leaving a review of the podcast here: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/reviews
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Feb 22, 2025 · 11 minHow To Keep Pregnant Guppies And Their Babies Healthy
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore everything you need to know about pregnant guppy care! From identifying pregnancy signs to advanced breeding techniques, we cover the best ways to ensure healthy fry and strong genetics. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced aquarist, this episode has invaluable insights for you! 👉 Leave a review: https://theaquaristsedge.podcastpage.io/reviews 👉 Visit Art’s Fish Room for all your aquarium needs: https://artsfishroom.co.za/
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Feb 16, 2025 · 16 min5 Controversies In The Aquarium-Keeping Hobby
In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, host Arthur Preston explores some of the most debated practices in the freshwater aquarium hobby. From ethical dilemmas to scientific revelations, this episode unpacks the complexities of creating a thriving aquatic environment. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink how you care for your tank and its inhabitants. Reflect on your own practices as Arthur discusses actionable steps to create healthier, more ethical aquariums. Tune in now to gain a fresh perspective on the hobby and learn how to make informed decisions that benefit both your fish and the planet. Keywords: freshwater aquarium, fishkeeping tips, ethical aquariums, aquarium science, tank maintenance, aquarium controversies, sustainable fishkeeping
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Feb 7, 2025 · 11 minNo Quick Fix - Developing A Problem-Solving Mindset In The Aquarium Hobby
Is your aquarium facing challenges like algae blooms, unexplained fish illness, or struggling plant growth? Before you reach for a quick fix, tune in to this episode of The Aquarist's Edge! We explore the aquarist's most powerful tool: a problem-solving mindset. Learn how to observe your tank like a scientist, identify the root causes of common problems, and develop effective action plans. From understanding water parameters to diagnosing fish diseases, we'll equip you with the knowledge and confidence to troubleshoot any aquarium issue. Plus, get practical examples of how to apply these techniques to algae control, fish health, and plant care. Become a master aquarist and create a thriving ecosystem!
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Feb 2, 2025 · 11 minHow To Understand Water Chemistry In My Aquarium
Join us for an enlightening episode of The Aquarist's Edge, in which we explore the essential world of water chemistry! Have you ever wondered how the invisible elements in your aquarium can impact the health and happiness of your fish? In this episode, we demystify the critical parameters of water chemistry, including pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, general hardness (GH), and carbonate hardness (KH). Discover practical methods to balance these parameters effectively and learn which species thrive under specific conditions. Whether you're a seasoned aquarist or just starting out, our host will guide you through hands-on techniques to create a stable aquatic environment. From adjusting pH levels with natural materials to understanding the nitrogen cycle's role in maintaining water quality, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Plus, we’ll explore how changes in water chemistry can affect your fish's well-being and behaviour. Tune in to gain the knowledge you need to ensure your aquarium flourishes! Whether you're looking to enhance your existing setup or start fresh, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about aquatic life. Don’t miss it!
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Jan 26, 2025 · 11 minWhat's On Your Bottom? Choosing A Substrate For Your Aquarium
Whether you’re setting up a vibrant planted tank, creating a haven for burrowing fish, or exploring a unique, biotope-inspired setup, the substrate you choose plays a critical role in your aquarium's success. We explore the pros and cons of popular options like gravel, sand, and aquarium soil, while also venturing into creative alternatives like leaf litter, botanicals, and even twigs. Plus, we introduce an unusual substrate idea that might spark your imagination. Join us as we uncover how substrate impacts plant growth, fish behavior, and overall aesthetics, and discover practical tips to make your aquarium thrive. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the knowledge and inspiration to create a stunning, tailored underwater world!
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Jan 17, 2025 · 12 min5 Aquarium Myths We Must Stop
Are some of the things you’ve heard about fishkeeping actually myths? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we tackle five myths we must stop believing, and spreading, in the aquarium hobby. We’ll explore what’s fact, what’s fiction, and how these myths could be affecting your aquarium’s success.
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Jan 11, 2025 · 13 minThese Are Tough Fish - Hardy Fish For Beginners
Whether you’re just starting your fishkeeping journey or looking for low-maintenance additions to your tank, we’ve got you covered. From the colourful and peaceful guppy to the fascinating bristlenose pleco, we explore species that are easy to care for, resilient, and perfect for community tanks. Learn practical care tips, water parameter preferences, and feeding recommendations for popular species like Betta Fish, Neon Tetras, Corydoras Catfish, and Harlequin Rasboras. Plus, we dive into the benefits of adding shrimp and snails to your aquarium for natural tank maintenance. This episode is packed with expert advice, ideal for beginners and seasoned aquarists alike. Tune in to ensure your freshwater tank thrives with happy, healthy fish! 🎙️ Don’t miss out - subscribe to/follow The Aquarist’s Edge for weekly tips, tricks, and expert advice!