Category: Aquarium book

BIG Expo Event Coming Up

Sustainable Reefs and I decided on my setting up two 10-gal tanks for their big event in Charlotte, NC on May 2, 2026.  One tank shows the standard ‘Walstad Method’ with a soil underlayer as described in my Ecology of the Planted Aquarium.  The other is described in my article ‘Potted Plants for Breeding Fish,’ which is freely available here on my website.  Hopefully, the plants will get somewhat established to withstand the car ride to Charlotte.  Photos show the progression so far.  Work in progress…  I am awaiting on my local glass cutters to provide the glass lids. 

The Expo organizers are wonderfully dedicated to hobbyist education via their major events, which are attended by 1,000s of people with free tickets provided to schools, universities, home-school organizations, etc.  Events feature both the marine world of beautiful, cultured corals and the freshwater world of fish, shrimp, and plants.  Vendors of all kinds including me and a fish veterinarian! I will have—as I did last year in Raleigh—a table for selling my books.  Only this time I will also have the two tanks and can talk about their setup, plants, and their cost.  Tanks will be auctioned off at the event. 

March 29, 2026. Tank (left) for breeding fish set up 2 days ago; ‘Walstad Method’ tank (right) set up just hours ago.
April 4, 2026. Fish breeder tank (left) now contains a few guppies; other tank some Neocaridina shrimp. All plants taken from my other tanks, so they are in the desired submerged form. Counting on them to grow fast!

Selling My Guppies

Since 2017, I have been writing about breeding guppies. Finally, I have a stock of select older breeders from 4 different “families” that are producing progeny worth selling. Members of the families are from different matings. To avoid inbreeding, none of the pairings are between full siblings. These guppies have a lifespan 2-3 times better than when I started, and in my humble opinion, are gorgeous. Granted, it is easy to talk about how great your guppies are, but will they do okay in the hands of others?? After selling my guppies to a local aquarium store, the owner praised them with the following comment, “Your guppies don’t die.” Below is a video of one breeder family (4 females and 3 males).

My Rainbow guppies in a 10 gal with no filter or aeration. Just plants. These guppies are breeders selected for their beauty and longevity.

New Fourth Edition (2023)

I am thrilled to announce launch of the 4th edition (2023) of ‘Ecology of the Planted Aquarium’.  Print version (paperback, 228 pages) and eBook versions are now available from my distributors (BTPS) or this website’s shop page.  Amazon is carrying the Kindle version, and as of 5/16/2023, the paperback is available on all Amazon websites, both in the USA and overseas. (Note: Amazon-printed book has a different cover, but material inside is the same!) New edition has the same low-tech, low-maintenance approach of previous editions, plus new material based on science, experience, and hobbyist input. 

New Fourth Edition (2023) of Ecology of the Planted Aquarium

Czech Version of Ecology of the Planted Aquarium

Czech translation of ‘Ecology of the Planted Aquarium’

I am thrilled to announce a Czech translation of Ecology of the Planted Aquarium.  It is a high-quality printed book now (2017) available for sale to the people of the Czech Republic.  (This is the fourth published translation of my book. Others were German, Italian, and Polish.)

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