Author: Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

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Last update: November 21, 2023

Salinity: What Is the Ideal Saltiness of Your Aquarium?

Salt in a glass of water to demonstrate salinity

I don’t need to tell you that the ocean tastes salty. After all, they call it salt water for a reason. But did you know that fish need the ideal “saltiness” to survive? If the salt levels are out of whack, you risk harming your fish. And, you don’t want that! You want the saltiness […]

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Last update: June 12, 2024

Refractometers – The BEST Way to Test the Salinity of Your Saltwater Aquarium

Man looking through eyepiece on optical refractometer to test salinity of his saltwater aquarium

So, you’ve decided to set up a saltwater tank? Congratulations! Saltwater tanks require dedication, and mixing saltwater will become a major part of your routine. While it may seem straightforward, mixing saltwater is an art. If the salinity levels are too low or too high, your fish will become stressed and, in extreme cases, may […]

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Last update: July 9, 2024

Raising Mosquito Larvae for a Nutritious Live Fish Food

Mosquito larvae being raised and farmed in a container for fish food

What if I told you attracting mosquitoes to your yard is a good thing? Sounds crazy, right? A few months ago, I would have agreed. But then I discovered that mosquito larvae make excellent live food for fish. Many aquarists use mosquito larvae to enhance their fish’s color, boost breeding, and ensure good health. Your […]

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Last update: August 15, 2024

How to Easily Feed Your Fish on Vacation

Women relaxing in hammock on vacation while dreaming of feeding her fish at home

Let’s face it, an aquarium isn’t exactly travel friendly. I mean, try slipping past a TSA agent with a fish tank in your possession – assuming you can carry it, that is! The last time I flew, I was grilled just for having an open water bottle in my bag. Imagine what they would have […]

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Last update: November 3, 2022

Hidden From View – In-line Aquarium Heaters Are the BEST!

In-line aquarium heater for fish tank

I am sure you will agree with me when I say: Heaters that sit inside your fish tank look downright awful! You see that long slender tube firmly stuck to the glass of your tank? Ugly… Wouldn’t it be great if your heater could be hidden away from the world, externally heating your tank? An […]

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Last update: August 6, 2024

No Cooked Fish! The Best Aquarium Heater Controllers

Temperature controller for heater attached to front of fish tank

Imagine waking up one morning to find your precious fish floating lifelessly in an overheated aquarium. It’s a devastating scenario, but one that can be easily prevented with the right equipment.  An aquarium heater controller is an essential device that ensures your tank’s temperature remains stable, protecting your fish from potentially fatal temperature fluctuations. In […]

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Last update: August 15, 2024

The best aquarium fish nets for your fish tank (Over 30 tested!)

5 different aquarium nets that I reviewed for this guide

It doesn’t matter whether you have a fish bowl, tank or pond – a net is one of the most important tools any fish keeper can have. You don’t realize how important it is until you don’t have one. I use my fish net for the following: Fishing out uneaten food (to prevent stinky fish […]

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Last update: November 21, 2023

What Is pH and How to Easily Test It in Your Aquarium?

Measuring the pH of fish tank with a pH test kit

If you think back to high school science, you might remember talk of water pH. I remember smugly telling my teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, “I will never need to know this when I am older.” Well, it looks like Mrs. Kennedy had the last laugh – pH is something that I now regularly monitor in my […]

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Last update: August 15, 2024

Brown Algae in Fish Tank & How to Get Rid of It

brown algae in planted aquarium

It happens all of a sudden… Without warning… One day your tank is crystal clear. The next it is a brown slimy mess. If you have ever owned a fish tank then you will know it all too well. I am talking about, of course, brown algae. That dreaded brown, slimy substance that, if left […]

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Last update: October 30, 2023

Bristle Worms: The Creepy Creature Hiding In Your Aquarium

Bristle worm resting on live rock in reef aquarium

Did you just catch a glimpse of what looked like an underwater centipede? Do you own a saltwater aquarium? If you answered yes to both of these questions then it’s likely your tank is playing home to bristle worms. When it comes to bristle worms, the community is divided. Some believe they form an important […]