Magazine

Every pond needs some maintenance, and this can be a dilemma for wildlife ponds, where the temptation is to let nature take its course. After a growing season where pond plants can often do a little too well, autumn is the best time of year to carry out some cleaning, fits well with the seasonal activity of wildlife and sets the pond up for a more successful spring.

October is here and another year has flashed by in a rather eventful whirl. Things are never quiet though, as our stores gear up for the shift from the pond season to the time of the tropicals.

We love to see tank-bred saltwater fish in our stock tanks, and we’ve been eagerly anticipating these Yellow tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens) for a while. After decades of unrestricted availability, it may take a bit of getting used to that these familiar fish are now one of a number of more expensive tangs.

It’s a great time of year to pick up bargains in our pond sections, as this year’s fishes have grown through the year and are ready to go into garden ponds that still carry the warmth of the summer. There’s also a wealth of beautiful aquarium fish available. Take a look at some of the beauties on display in our stores this month.

Bacterial infections in fish take a few forms, with both internal and external ailments presenting a range of symptoms. These pathogens can be very damaging, with diseases such as Columnaris/Mouth rot (Flavibacterium columnare) capable of killing fishes very rapidly. Here's everything you need to know to treat your fish.

Pond temperatures have been high enough for tropical fish lately and it brings some extra pressure on the natural processes taking place in the pond. To ensure everything goes smoothly, there are a few steps you can take to make this time of year as free of stress as possible.

Check out some of Paul Tapley's top finds in our stores this month. It’s been uncomfortably hot, so where better to start than with a coolwater fish? 

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.