Magazine

It might be hard to imagine as we wait for the return of the summer barbeque weather, but this time of year can often bring problems as temperatures exceed the healthy range of our tropical pets. There are a few techniques that can prove useful when we get too much of a good thing…

Fungus, or Cotton Wool Disease is usually caused by Saprolegnia and tends to attack damaged tissues. Here's everything you need to know about how to spot the problem and how best to treat it. 

There’s two main kinds of people who keep fishponds, those who view their pond as a bit of an outdoor aquarium and those who view it as a wet flowerbed. Depending on which one you identify with, a pond can be either an opportunity to grow an exciting range of plants, or a feature which needs plants to provide biological balance. Of course, many of us have a foot in both camps. Find out more.

Check out Paul Tapley’s selection of top livestock finds in store this month.

Although pond season is in full swing, our stores are still full of amazing aquarium species worth checking out. Take a look at just some of Paul Tapley's top finds in our stores this month.

Firstly, I feel I need to apologise to you all as it’s been far too long since I last wrote this feature. In fact, I was extremely shocked to learn that my last piece was way back in October of last year but needless to say, one heck of a lot has happened since then….. Read on to find out what's been happening over the last few months at Maidenhead Aquatics by Stuart Ashley, one of our Senior Partners.

Regardless of the type of pond you’re planning, there are some guidelines that apply to them all. Here's everything you need to know to get going with a new pond in your garden this season. 

No matter what kind of pond or water feature you own, the chances are you’ll want what we all aspire to – crystal clear water. It’s a very simplistic view but most clarity issues are caused by two main problems: algae, or particulates.

Choosing a pond pump can be a daunting task, with many different manufacturers offering all manner of models and designs. Some design features only become apparent over time and use, with ease of cleaning being one of these that can save hours of cold, wet hands when it’s time for maintenance. Here’s everything you need to know.

 Pond season may be in full swing but there’s still plenty going on in the tropical and marine systems of our stores. Check out some of Paul Tapley's top finds in our stores this month.

Garden ponds can be home to many fascinating creatures, some of which are useful to the pond keeper and help to balance vital dynamic processes. These are especially useful in the low-tech surroundings of the wildlife pond. Read more about the benefit of snails and mussels here.

If you’ve been looking longingly out the window yearning for some fresh air, then spare a thought for your fish – they live in an environment that depends on us to keep things sweet. Water changes are as much a part of the hobby as glass aquaria, so let’s look at what goes on inside the tiny world we create for our pets and how we can tweak things to make the most of maintenance.

Paul Tapley showcases some top picks worth seeking out in our stores during April while taking stock of the journey our stores have been on since the beginning of lockdown last year.

Over millions of years, algae have been thriving in freshwater ecosystems and forming the base of important food chains. Fuelled by sunlight and dissolved nutrients, these simple microscopic plants are a familiar sight – all too familiar for many fish keepers.

The last twelve months have really shown us that there’s no place like home. Many of us have more free time than ever before and in times like these, projects that offer us long term benefits are of great value. Adding water to your garden has many benefits to our health and wellbeing, and there's no escaping the good physical workout that comes from digging a large pond and the satisfaction from completing the project. But how do you get started?

With March finally here, the new season pond plants are starting to appear in our stores. Full of promise, these early arrivals tend to be a mixture of the ultra-hardy foliage types such as sedges, as well as the first flowering marginals of spring just getting into their stride. As with any garden design, evergreen types add structure and interest at this time of year. There is also, of course, a fantastic array of fish available and here we showcase just a few of them to tickle your fancy this March.

There are many significant differences between ponds designed to cater for wildlife and those where fish are the priority. After a winter of heavy rain and the effects of accumulated leaf litter, it’s a good time to take a look at how fish health is impacted by KH or carbonate hardness. Find out more here:

Those of us who share our home with pets are luckier than most in a lockdown, particularly if those pets inhabit an aquarium. Studies have shown fish to be relaxing to watch and where better to escape miserable winter weather than a little tropical world of your own creation? With time on our hands, there’s plenty to be doing to make the most of this opportunity.

The past few months have really shown us the healing power of nature and just how readily our wild neighbours can enrich our lives by sharing our outdoor space. Indeed, choosing to add a water feature to your garden will open your eyes to another world. Find out more about how you can go wild in your garden and get to know your neighbours a little better. 

In a typical Maidenhead Aquatics store, you’ll find a huge variety of fishes. With such a kaleidoscope of colour and choice it’s easy to overlook some of the most incredible miniature wonders. This article looks at some of the fishy options worth considering that would work well for some of those smaller more compact tanks on the market.