Quick test – Step 1

In an aquarium with fish and plants from Asia you can expect constant action from your vivid and vivacious barbs. Quiet gouramis provide some contrast. These fish species also feel better in somewhat harder water. Keep the varying plant groups in the back third of the aquarium, but ensure the red and fine leaved plants have plenty of light. Decorative stones and roots are special eye-catchers in these aquariums.

Rainbow fish and many barb species are lively but also peaceful. Many fish species from Asia, West Africa, Central and South America can be kept together if they harmonize among each other. Dense planting, combined with decorative roots and larger stones gives the aquarium an individual note. Be sure to leave enough free space between decoration elements. This allows fast swimmers to live as they want to.

Keep fast-growing young Koi and goldfish in an appropriately large aquarium. A heater is unnecessary as they tolerate low temperatures with no problem, yet they will achieve full vitality at temperatures above 21°C (70°F). Edge decoration can be made from lime rock slabs, as the resulting harder water does not harm the fish. Goldfish and Koi like to dig, so keep plants in groups, and protect their roots with large rocks. Only hardy plants will survive in this coldwater aquarium, as these fish enjoy nibbling at the leaves.

An aquarium for African Killi fish is planted at the edges with a variety of plant species. This, along with decorative rocks and roots provides shelter for the fish. Male Killis are brilliantly colored and are known to perform fascinating mating rituals.

The splendidly colored, lively, Lake Malawi fish are always a popular choice for aquarists. Ensure the water is medium-hard, the rock constructions have plenty of caves, passageways, and shelters − to help them avoid injury − and introduce the fish to the aquarium all at one time if possible. A group that has lived together for long periods often won't tolerate newcomers, and will attack. Choose only hardy plants because some of these fish like to dine on soft leaves.

A marine water aquarium provides a living environment for fish, manifold invertebrates and magnificent ornamental algae. A fascinating variety of crustaceans, tube worms, anemones, corals and many other organisms makes sure that it will never get boring. Live rock allows to set up varying and colorful reefs where you can discover something new every day.

In this community aquarium with livebearing fish there is always something going on. Baby fish can hide and escape their parents' appetite in densely growing fine leaved plants. These must be selected according to the hardness of the available water.

Massive rock constructions made of lime rock largely contribute to the optical appearance of this aquarium. They provide innumerous crevices and holes through which the fish can swim behind and reappear in another location. With proper fish choice, threatening behavior and fights are harmless. The submissive fish can disappear between the rocks. Robust plants that grow on the rocks provide a contrast to the brightly colored rock and are attractively eye-catching.

Being an aquatic biotope in your garden, the pond provides new living space for animals and plants that often have already become scarce in nature. Numerous animal species and the splendid colors of lush green, blooming plants make the pond a leisure center at home. Thus, the pond becomes a beautiful attraction in your garden, and an invaluable ecosystem for plants and animals.

Large numbers of colorful fish from the huge Amazon region of South America can be kept together quite well in community aquariums of slightly higher temperatures. Choose fish of similar size so larger fish won't consider the smaller ones prey. Soft, to a maximum of medium-hard water is best for these aquariums. Partially dense groups of plants should be left with sufficient space in between for shoals and territorial species to mark their range.

Fish from West Africa live in the bank zones of rivers and standing water. Constructions from stone slabs located at the sides of the aquarium provide spawning caves for the cichlids and crevices for plants to grow directly on the rock. Empty coconut shells are also readily accepted as spawning caves. A characin shoal becomes very active in the middle water zones. Ensure soft to medium-hard water.