The Aquarist’s Edge [Weekly Aquarium Podcast]

Is fishkeeping really an accessible hobby, or is it more demanding than it first appears? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art looks at the true cost of freshwater fishkeeping, the space and time an aquarium requires, the physical demands of maintenance, and the knowledge beginners need before getting started.

He also explores how aquarium care can be made easier and more inclusive without compromising fish welfare. From choosing manageable aquarium sizes and simplifying maintenance to avoiding information overload and understanding the nitrogen cycle, this episode offers practical advice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

If you are considering your first freshwater aquarium, working with a limited budget or space, or looking for ways to make fishkeeping easier to maintain, this episode will help you build an aquarium that fits your life while still meeting the needs of your fish.

Topics include: beginner fishkeeping, affordable aquarium setups, aquarium maintenance, fish welfare, aquarium costs, small aquariums, accessible fishkeeping, nitrogen cycle basics, freshwater aquarium care, and responsible fishkeeping.

Enjoyed the episode? Please follow The Aquarist’s Edge and leave a review to help more freshwater aquarists discover the show.

⭐ 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

Corydoras are some of the most popular freshwater catfish in the aquarium hobby, but keeping them successfully involves far more than simply adding a few "bottom cleaners" to your tank.

Art covers the essentials of Corydoras care, including ideal group size, aquarium setup, substrate choice, feeding, water conditions, tankmates, common health concerns and some of the unusual behaviours that often confuse new keepers. You’ll also learn why Corydoras should not be expected to survive on leftovers, why species-specific temperature requirements matter, and what those sudden trips to the surface actually mean.

Whether you keep panda corys, bronze corys, peppered corys, Sterbai corys or another member of the Corydoradinae group, this practical freshwater aquarium care guide will help you create better conditions for healthy, active and confident fish.

If you enjoy freshwater aquarium care, tropical fishkeeping, Corydoras care guides and practical aquarium advice, subscribe to The Aquarist’s Edge and leave a review to help more aquarists discover the show.

⭐ 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

Choosing a new fish is one of the most exciting parts of freshwater fishkeeping but it is also where many long-term aquarium problems begin. In this episode Art explores the single most important question to ask before buying a fish, along with six practical checks covering adult size, aquarium suitability, compatibility, feeding, quarantine and long-term care.

Whether you are stocking your first community aquarium or adding a new species to an established tank, this episode will help you make more responsible fish choices and avoid common mistakes such as overcrowding, aggression, poor diet and unsuitable water conditions.

 

⭐ 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

A healthier aquarium does not always require expensive equipment or complicated treatments. In this episode Art explores five simple adjustments that can improve water quality, reduce algae, support healthier fish and make aquarium maintenance easier.

Learn how to improve feeding, lighting, water circulation, water changes and daily observation without disrupting the stability of your freshwater aquarium. These practical fishkeeping tips are ideal for beginner and intermediate aquarists who want cleaner water, healthier fish and a more reliable aquarium routine.

🔗 Podcast episode referenced: Stop Feeding Your Fish Everyday - https://theaquaristsedge.beam.ly/episode/why-fasting-your-fish-improves-health-water-quality-and-tank-balance

⭐ 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

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