Canberra Aquarium

29/07/2026

Be there or be square

09/07/2026

While cycling a can bear substantial similarities to freshwater cycling, such as its necessity and process, it harbors a few key differences. For example, often takes longer and requires further testing of the water parameters, such as salinity. Both kinds of tanks must be fully cycled before the addition of fish in order to ensure a successful ecosystem. 

To start your cycle, you first have to introduce bacteria into your system. You can achieve this via adding live rock or live sand. Some commercial sources even offer bottled bacteria, however the state of said bacteria can be questionable, therefore, /sand is generally preferred. Many aquarists have their own strategies for adding ammonia to their tank, in order to kickstart the cycle. Some choose to add chopped fish pieces, fish food or even a dead prawn. 

After the addition of ammonia, continuous monitoring of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels through testing is necessary. When the cycle is working effectively, there should be an ammonia spike, which transfers to nitrite, and then finally nitrate. You can observe these changes through water tests, or alternatively, bring your water in store to be tested. These changes take place roughly ten or twelve days into the start of your tank, but don’t be discouraged if it takes longer. 

Cycling requires both patience and research, and can be the hardest part of establishing a marine system. If you encounter any problems or trouble, feel free to come down and ask our workers for any advice

01/07/2026

is the pivotal first step in setting up an , and lays the groundwork for your to flourish. It can be difficult to understand and overwhelming for anyone, but with patience and research you’ll be a pro in no time. For anyone interested in further information, don't hesitate to come in for advice.

13/06/2026

Live rock is a cornerstone of biofiltration for many **ers, providing a kickstart to dramatically accelerate the cycling of new tanks as well as introduce thriving colonies of beneficial bacteria to help filter and balance water parameters.

Struggling to cycle a tank is a battle that any aquarist can relate to, regardless of experience and strategy. However, adding water and substrate from an already-cycled tank can give the cycle a kick start. Live rocks are a wide-scope alternative to this strategy. By introducing already flourishing bacteria, you can fast track your tanks cycling, as well as provide it with improved biofiltration. 

While can introduce small pests, they also introduce a plethora of different creatures such as tiny corals, macroalgae, small sponges and to balance out your ecosystem and prevent issues. Hitchhikers like small crabs, starfish and shrimp (as seen above) can also come in from Live rocks, providing a petite and individually unique eco-diversity. Many re**ers additionally choose Live rock for its distinctive appearance and aesthetic, often featuring colourful algae, which furthermore competes with and prevents pests from taking hold. 

Live rock supplies a wide biological range of helpful additions for both cycling and stabilising a system, as well as introducing fascinating and unique micro-life to your tank and providing distinctive appearances. It’s the perfect choice for any aquarist setting up a tank, in need of help to stabilise a tank, or looking to add biodiversity to an established system.

As always, feel free to ask any further questions to our staff in store, or check out our new selection of liverock sourced from the reef. Note the many different crabs that came in with the last shipment, this variety is testament to the health of the liverock that make it to and which we always have in stock.

05/06/2026

Looking for a hardy fish that’s full of colour and personality? are one of the most popular picks for freshwater systems. With a stunning range of appearances featuring short or long fins, a patchwork of colours or a simple elegant white, their versatility means that no matter an aquarist's preferences, there’s a betta for them. can be kept in nano tanks, or in larger community tanks - although they can be picky with their tankmates, so make sure to research, or alternatively ask us what the best picks for your tank are. For those who can’t get enough of Bettas, but don’t want dozens of different systems, you can even keep multiple together in a group called a ‘sorority’. So if you’re in the market for a centerpiece with a charming personality and showstopping appearance, come check out our new assortment of both female and male betta fish while stocks last.

04/06/2026

Some quality are due out this Saturday
Due out;


small and eating well
Scopaz
Tomini tang
Chromis bluegreen
Purple blenny
Engineer gobies watch them transition from free swimming to eel like digging machines "Engineers"
Talbot's damsels
Melanurus and other wrasse

Etc

All quarantined and feeding well only

03/06/2026

For both new and expert re**ers, a major choice when buying corals is whether to purchase wild caught, or frags. Wild are that have been extracted from natural reefs and shipped to wholesalers. are coral fragments that have been carefully cut and removed from a larger colony to be grown individually.

Some environmentally conscientious re**ers prefer to abstain from wild caught corals in order to preserve the world's reefs, preferring instead to use frags that haven’t been obtained from wild populations. Since these wild caught corals are sourced from nature, they are far more likely to bring nasty hitchhikers into home aquariums, such as acropora eating flatworms, various kinds of bristleworms and mantis shrimps. Additionally, since these corals have been grown in the wild, they frequently die or struggle in home . This can be both disheartening and expensive for aquarists. One of the main disadvantages is a lack of long-term colour retention. For example, a newly purchased wild coral may be bright pink, but disappointingly fade to brown in a home aquarium.

Frags provide a cost effective option to re**ers, with the cheapest frags ranging between $20-$25, meaning they won’t break the bank. Frags have a vastly superior survival right, as they are propagated and cultured in home aquariums, meaning they adapt much faster to your aquarium. Wild corals can appear non-cohesive with the rest of your tank, due to slow growth. Frags will alternatively display a natural growth into your tank, developing into the scaping much faster, despite their small size. Since coral frags originate from a larger parental colony, they don’t affect native coral populations, making them the more sustainable choice. Coral frags also provide far more personalisation to a tank, letting every re**er design and cultivate a scape individual to them.

While wild caught corals can provide unique appearances, ultimately their expensive and delicate nature make them a risky pick, even for experienced re**ers. Frags are far more sustainable, better adjusted to home aquariums, and cheaper - making them accessible and retainable for any **er

29/05/2026

Hair algae can form on plants and substrate in any size tank, and quickly suffocate said plants - and in extreme cases, fish too. Ergo its name, hair algae is a long, stringy species of freshwater algae that can take over a tank in an incredibly short amount of time, recognisable by its texture and long green strands that form mats.

As is with most problems, in order to deal with hair algae you first have to address the root cause. Algae is primarily caused by imbalances in a tank's ecosystem, such as improper/excessive lighting, a surplus of nutrients or unstable CO2 levels. Testing your water for nutrient levels can provide a helpful insight to the wellbeing of your tank and potential causes of algae. Alternatively, you can bring in water for a free water test and advice.

Adjusting light levels in your tank can help decrease the spread of hair algae; for example, minimising your lighting time from 8 - 6 hours, or in extreme infestations, a three day blackout can be necessary. Manual removal can be performed by twisting a fork, skewer, or your fingers inside your tank in order to attach and remove the strands. Some aquarists prefer to use clean up crews to eat their hair algae, such as Shrimp, Mollies, or Siamese algae eaters. However the clean up crew method is unreliable, and they aren’t guaranteed to consume the hair algae, and won’t address the root cause.

Hair algae blooms can be distressing for any aquarist, but with the right knowledge and approach, it can be easily handled and controlled. As always, if you need further support, don’t hesitate to come in for advice

10/05/2026

Wishing you a happy mother's day!

Come check out these new and
Healthiest livestock in town

26/04/2026