Help Guides

The Charterhouse Aquatics Help Guides Blog provides comprehensive and practical advice on maintaining aquariums, offering expert tips, step-by-step guides, and product reviews to ensure a healthy and thriving aquatic environment for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Maintaining Your Freshwater Aquarium for Long-Term Success

Maintaining Your Freshwater Aquarium for Long-Term Success

Setting up your freshwater aquarium is only the beginning. To ensure a thriving, beautiful, and healthy environment for your aquatic life, consistent maintenance is key. Regular care helps prevent algae,...

Setting Up Your Freshwater Aquarium: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting Up Your Freshwater Aquarium: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting a freshwater aquarium is an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you’re creating a peaceful community tank or a lush aquascape, getting the setup right from day one is key...

Selecting the Ideal Freshwater Aquarium for Your Needs

Selecting the Ideal Freshwater Aquarium for Your Needs

Starting a freshwater aquarium is an exciting venture—but selecting the right tank is crucial to long-term success. With so many sizes, styles, and features available, how do you know which...

Maintaining Your Freshwater Filter for Optimal Performance

Maintaining Your Freshwater Filter for Optimal Performance

An aquarium filter is the heart of your tank’s ecosystem—running 24/7 to remove waste, circulate water, and house beneficial bacteria. But even the best filter can lose efficiency without regular...

Setting Up Your Freshwater Filter: A Step-by-Step Guide
Freshwater-filtration

Setting Up Your Freshwater Filter: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re starting your first aquarium or upgrading your setup, properly installing your freshwater filter is a crucial step toward creating a clean and stable aquatic environment. This guide will...

Troubleshooting Common Freshwater Filter Issues

Troubleshooting Common Freshwater Filter Issues

A reliable filter is vital for any freshwater aquarium, but like all equipment, even the best models can sometimes encounter problems. When your filter isn’t performing as expected, water quality...

Choosing the Right Freshwater Filter for Your Aquarium
Freshwater-filtration

Choosing the Right Freshwater Filter for Your Aquarium

A proper filtration system is the cornerstone of a healthy and thriving freshwater aquarium. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, selecting the right filter is crucial not only...

Ideal Temperature Ranges for Freshwater & Marine Species
Advice

Ideal Temperature Ranges for Freshwater & Marine Species

One of the most critical aspects of aquarium care—whether for freshwater or marine systems—is maintaining a stable and species-appropriate temperature. Each fish, plant, coral, or invertebrate thrives within a specific...

Maintaining & Troubleshooting Your Aquarium Heating & Cooling Equipment
Advice

Maintaining & Troubleshooting Your Aquarium Heating & Cooling Equipment

In any aquarium—freshwater or marine—stable temperature is critical. Whether you’re using a heater to warm tropical fish or a chiller to keep corals cool, maintaining your temperature equipment is essential...

Effective Cooling Methods for Freshwater & Marine Aquariums
Advice

Effective Cooling Methods for Freshwater & Marine Aquariums

Maintaining stable water temperature is crucial in both freshwater and marine aquariums. While heating is essential in colder months, overheating is just as dangerous, especially during summer or when using...

Choosing the Right Heater for Your Aquarium (Freshwater & Marine)
Advice

Choosing the Right Heater for Your Aquarium (Freshwater & Marine)

A stable temperature is vital for the health and comfort of your aquarium inhabitants. Whether you keep tropical freshwater fish or sensitive marine corals, the right heater ensures consistency—especially in...

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Aquarium Lighting System
Advice

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Aquarium Lighting System

A reliable lighting system is crucial to the success of any freshwater aquarium—especially planted tanks. While choosing the right light is the first step, proper maintenance and timely troubleshooting ensure...

Setting and Maintaining an Optimal Lighting Schedule
Freshwater-Lighting

Setting and Maintaining an Optimal Lighting Schedule

Lighting isn’t just about how bright or colourful your aquarium looks—it’s about how long your tank is illuminated each day. An effective lighting schedule helps support plant growth, promotes natural...

Choosing the Right Light Spectrum and Intensity for Your Aquarium
Advice

Choosing the Right Light Spectrum and Intensity for Your Aquarium

Lighting in an aquarium is about much more than just making your tank look good. The spectrum and intensity of light you choose can have a significant effect on the...

Understanding Different Types of Freshwater Aquarium Lighting
Advice

Understanding Different Types of Freshwater Aquarium Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important (and often overlooked) components of a freshwater aquarium. Whether you’re keeping a simple community tank or a thriving aquascape, the type of lighting...

Aquarium Pumps – Product & Feature Guides
Pumps

Aquarium Pumps – Product & Feature Guides

Aquarium pumps aren’t one-size-fits-all. From small internal pumps to smart, app-controlled circulation systems, the right pump depends on your aquarium type, size, and specific needs. This guide breaks down popular...

Flow & Circulation Strategies for Aquariums
Advice

Flow & Circulation Strategies for Aquariums

Proper flow and circulation in your aquarium isn’t just about making the water move—it’s essential for a healthy, balanced environment. Whether you’re keeping tropical fish, shrimp, corals, or aquatic plants, understanding...

Aquarium Pump Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide
Advice

Aquarium Pump Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide

A healthy aquarium relies on good water circulation—and that means your aquarium pump needs to be working at its best. Whether you’re running a simple freshwater setup or a complex...

Beginner's Guide: What Does an Aquarium Pump Do?
Advice

Beginner's Guide: What Does an Aquarium Pump Do?

If you're new to fishkeeping, you've probably heard that you need a pump for your aquarium. But what exactly does an aquarium pump do, and why is it important? This...

Aquarium Substrate & Ornaments: How to Make Them Work Together
Advice

Aquarium Substrate & Ornaments: How to Make Them Work Together

Learn how to match your aquarium substrate with ornaments for a balanced, beautiful, and fish-friendly aquascape. Tips for gravel, sand, soil, and more.

🧒 Kid-Friendly Aquarium Decorations: Safe, Fun, and Full of Imagination
Advice

🧒 Kid-Friendly Aquarium Decorations: Safe, Fun, and Full of Imagination

Designing an aquarium for kids? Explore safe, colorful, and imaginative decorations that spark curiosity and create a magical underwater world for young aquarists.

Creating a Focal Point in Your Aquarium with Ornaments
decoration

Creating a Focal Point in Your Aquarium with Ornaments

Make your tank stand out with a stunning focal point! Learn how to use aquarium ornaments to draw attention, balance your layout, and enhance your aquascape.

Mixing Ornaments and Live Plants: How to Balance Beauty and Function
Advice

Mixing Ornaments and Live Plants: How to Balance Beauty and Function

Want a lush planted tank with stylish ornaments? Learn how to blend live plants with decorations to create a thriving, balanced, and eye-catching aquarium.

Aquarium Backgrounds: The Unsung Hero of Tank Design
Advice

Aquarium Backgrounds: The Unsung Hero of Tank Design

Want to take your aquarium to the next level? Learn how backgrounds enhance your tank’s depth, hide equipment, and complete your aquascape—plus the best types to choose.

🛠️ How to Secure Aquarium Ornaments Safely and Effectively
Advice

🛠️ How to Secure Aquarium Ornaments Safely and Effectively

Don’t let your décor shift or tip over! Learn how to safely secure aquarium ornaments to prevent damage, stress to fish, and layout disruptions.

Aquascaping Mistakes to Avoid When Using Ornaments
Advice

Aquascaping Mistakes to Avoid When Using Ornaments

Don’t let poor decoration choices ruin your aquarium! Learn the most common aquascaping mistakes involving ornaments—and how to avoid them for a balanced, healthy tank.

🧭 How to Choose the Right Size Ornaments for Your Aquarium
Advice

🧭 How to Choose the Right Size Ornaments for Your Aquarium

Struggling with aquarium décor proportions? Learn how to choose the perfect ornament size for your tank and fish, from nano setups to large aquascapes.

📅 Aquarium Decoration Tips by Season: How to Refresh Your Tank All Year Round
Advice

📅 Aquarium Decoration Tips by Season: How to Refresh Your Tank All Year Round

Keep your aquarium looking fresh year-round with seasonal decoration ideas. From spring florals to cozy winter caves, explore ways to style your tank by season.

🧊 Minimalist Aquascaping: How to Use Ornaments Sparingly but Effectively
Advice

🧊 Minimalist Aquascaping: How to Use Ornaments Sparingly but Effectively

Less is more in minimalist aquascaping. Learn how to decorate your aquarium with just a few well-chosen ornaments to create a clean, modern, and visually striking underwater space.

🧪 DIY Aquarium Decor: Safe Homemade Ornament Ideas for Creative Aquarists
Advice

🧪 DIY Aquarium Decor: Safe Homemade Ornament Ideas for Creative Aquarists

Want to personalise your tank? Discover how to make safe, fish-friendly DIY aquarium decorations using household items and non-toxic materials.

Beginner’s Guide to Decorating a Freshwater or Saltwater Aquarium
Advice

Beginner’s Guide to Decorating a Freshwater or Saltwater Aquarium

New to fishkeeping? Learn how to decorate your freshwater or saltwater aquarium step by step. Includes tips on choosing safe ornaments, layout ideas, and species-specific considerations.

🧜 Build a Fantasy Tank: Creative Themed Aquarium Decoration Ideas
Advice

🧜 Build a Fantasy Tank: Creative Themed Aquarium Decoration Ideas

Ready to turn your aquarium into an epic scene? Discover the best themed aquarium ornaments—from pirate ships to mythical ruins—and how to design your own fantasy tank!

🐠 Fish-Specific Ornament Recommendations: What Your Species Really Needs
Advice

🐠 Fish-Specific Ornament Recommendations: What Your Species Really Needs

Not all fish need the same type of decoration. Explore the best aquarium ornaments for bettas, cichlids, plecos, tetras, and more—tailored to their unique behaviours and needs.

How to Clean and Maintain Aquarium Ornaments Without Harming Your Tank
Advice

How to Clean and Maintain Aquarium Ornaments Without Harming Your Tank

Keep your aquarium looking its best! Learn how to clean aquarium ornaments safely without disturbing water chemistry or stressing your fish.

🐟 Best Hiding Spots: Ornaments That Support Fish Behavior and Reduce Stress
Advice

🐟 Best Hiding Spots: Ornaments That Support Fish Behavior and Reduce Stress

Discover the best aquarium ornaments that provide essential hiding spots for your fish. Learn how caves, driftwood, and decorations help reduce stress and promote natural behavior.

How to Create Depth and Dimension Using Aquarium Ornaments
Advice

How to Create Depth and Dimension Using Aquarium Ornaments

Want to make your aquarium look bigger and more dynamic? Learn how to use ornaments and aquascaping techniques to add depth and visual interest to your tank.

Natural vs Themed Aquarium Ornaments: Which Is Right for Your Tank?
Top 10 Aquarium Ornaments Every Aquarist Should Own

Top 10 Aquarium Ornaments Every Aquarist Should Own

Discover the top 10 aquarium ornaments that combine function and style to enhance your tank’s beauty and your fish’s wellbeing.

Transform Your Tank: The Ultimate Guide to Aquarium Ornaments
Advice

Transform Your Tank: The Ultimate Guide to Aquarium Ornaments

Discover how aquarium ornaments can enhance your fish tank's beauty, create hiding spots for your aquatic pets, and improve tank health. Explore top ornament ideas with Charterhouse Aquatics.

Top-Rated External Canister Filters for Freshwater Aquariums (2025 Guide)
eheim external filter

Top-Rated External Canister Filters for Freshwater Aquariums (2025 Guide)

Selecting the right external filter is crucial for maintaining a healthy and clear freshwater aquarium. External canister filters are favoured for their efficiency, large media capacity, and ease of maintenance....

Eheim External Filter – Technical Help Guide
eheim external filter

Eheim External Filter – Technical Help Guide

Whether you’re using an Eheim Classic, eXperience, or Professionel 4+ model, this guide will walk you through everything from setup and maintenance to troubleshooting and optimizing performance.

The Ultimate Help Guide to Fluval External Filters

The Ultimate Help Guide to Fluval External Filters

Fluval external filters are among the most reliable and widely used canister filters in the aquarium hobby. Known for their power, quiet operation, and ease of maintenance, Fluval filters are...

Discover Red Sea Aquatics: Innovation for Reef Enthusiasts
Aquariums

Discover Red Sea Aquatics: Innovation for Reef Enthusiasts

At Charterhouse Aquatics, we proudly stock one of the most respected names in marine aquarium care: Red Sea Aquatics. With decades of expertise, Red Sea offers reef hobbyists everything from...

Top 10 Must-Have Christmas Gifts for Aquarium Enthusiasts from Charterhouse Aquatics
Advice

Top 10 Must-Have Christmas Gifts for Aquarium Enthusiasts from Charterhouse Aquatics

The holiday season is the perfect time to delight the aquarist in your life with gifts that enhance their aquatic hobby. Charterhouse Aquatics offers a curated selection of products suitable...

10 Reasons to Use Aquarium Phosphate Remover
Launches

10 Reasons to Use Aquarium Phosphate Remover

Looking to keep your aquarium sparkling and algae-free? Phosphate remover is the secret weapon you need! Excess phosphates can lead to unwanted algae blooms, murky water, and an unbalanced tank...

10 Reasons to Use Aquarium Activated Carbon

10 Reasons to Use Aquarium Activated Carbon

If you’re looking to keep your aquarium fresh, clean, and healthy, activated carbon is a must-have! This powerhouse filter media helps purify the water, reduce odors, and maintain a pristine...

The 10 Best Fish for your first Tropical Aquarium
Why Tropical Fish Keeping is the Best Hobby for Beginners
Advice

Why Tropical Fish Keeping is the Best Hobby for Beginners

Diving into the world of tropical fishkeeping is an exciting adventure! Whether you’re a newbie or just looking to refresh your skills, this guide will help you get started on...

Revolutionize Your Fishkeeping with Seneye Aquarium Monitoring Systems

Revolutionize Your Fishkeeping with Seneye Aquarium Monitoring Systems

Hey there, fellow fish enthusiasts! If you’re serious about maintaining a healthy and vibrant aquarium, you know how crucial it is to keep a close eye on water conditions. That’s...

Discover the Sleek Elegance of Aquael Glossy ST Aquariums
Launches

Discover the Sleek Elegance of Aquael Glossy ST Aquariums

Hey there, aquarium enthusiasts! If you’re looking to upgrade your tank or start a new one with a touch of modern elegance, let me introduce you to the Aquael Glossy...

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