Some collected wisdom from experiences with the downfall and subsequent rebuild of the low-tech open-topped Shrimphaus aquarium… Open topped tanks should be made from glass, not acrylic Open topped tanks will experience water evaporation. As that happens, mineral deposits will be left behind at the receding waterline. These mineral deposits can be easily scraped off […]
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The Shrimphaus recently spontaneously developed a relatively solid whitish layer on the top surface of the water. I’m convinced this layer was a biofilm, a macroscopic colony of microscopic organisms holding themselves together. Although not usually considered dangerous to plants or animals, biofilms don’t look very nice, and can potentially inhibit beneficial gas exchange between […]
Read more →These two views are from the early days of the Fireplace Aquarium where the algae had been let to grow out of control and unmolested for a while. It’s definitely unsightly, but it isn’t actually dangerous to the fish who are perfectly happy. The nerite snails are likewise unbothered. Nerite snails can eat some types […]
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