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PODCAST

The Aquarist"s Edge

Keeping home aquariums is an exciting and fulfilling hobby. This podcast about freshwater aquarium keeping aims to share news, information, guides, and interviews with those who share in this aquatic pursuit. It will appeal to beginners and those with moderate experience and expertise, as well as those who have been at it for a long time and are very knowledgeable. It will cover all aspects of fishkeeping and include interviews with well-known aquarists within South Africa.

kids & family pets & animals

All Episodes

17:01

Dear Agony Aunt (Your Fish Send In Their Complaints)

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/10/03

What would your fish say if they could send you a voice note? In this episode, a goldfish in a bowl, a betta in a vase, a nipped angelfish, a lonely neon and a few others write in to an aquarium agony aunt with the problems they face most often. It's a light-hearted look at the most common beginner aquarium mistakes, with honest, practical answers for new and experienced fish keepers alike. 💬 Join the conversation: If your fish could send a voice note to an agony aunt, what would it say? Share it

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30:23

Sand, Gravel or Aqua Soil? Choosing the Right Substrate

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/25

Did you choose the stuff on the bottom of your tank by colour? Most of us did, but your substrate affects your water chemistry, your plants, and whether fish like corydoras and eartheaters can feed the way they're built to. This episode compares gravel, sand, aqua soil, crushed coral, dirted tanks and bare-bottom tanks, matches each to the fish and shrimp that suit it, and works through some of the hobby's longest-running substrate debates. 💬 Join the conversation: Are you a sand, gravel or aqua

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14:59

10 Things Every Aquarist Wishes They Knew Sooner

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/20

Why did your first fish die within days of setting up the tank? It's called new tank syndrome, and it's just one of ten hard lessons this episode covers. Whether you're setting up your very first aquarium or you've been in the hobby for years, this one's built to catch something you didn't know you needed to hear. 💬 Join the conversation: What's the mistake you made early on in this hobby that you'd go back and fix if you could? Share your story in a review or find us on social media and tell us

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13:17

Cross-Breeding Aquarium Fish: What Actually Happens...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/12

Can you actually cross-breed aquarium fish, and would you even want to? This episode looks at where hybridisation really happens in the freshwater hobby, and what it means for the fish and the fishkeeper when it does. Art works through the two groups where crossing is most common — livebearers like platies and swordtails, which will hybridise without any encouragement at all, and cichlids, where mbuna cross in mixed tanks and fish like flowerhorns and blood parrot cichlids exist purely because of

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1:18

Apology for unedited upload - 12 September 2026

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/12

What a rookie error! This is a short apology to all those who happened to listen to the very raw unedited version of Series 3 Episode 31 earlier today...

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14:24

Which Aquarium Fish Can Actually Cross-Breed? (And...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/12

Can you actually cross-breed aquarium fish, and would you even want to? This episode looks at where hybridisation really happens in the freshwater hobby, and what it means for the fish and the fishkeeper when it does. Art works through the two groups where crossing is most common. He also covers the less-talked-about case of Corydoras catfish hybridising in mixed shoals, the genetics behind why some crosses produce healthy fry and others don't, and why hybrid cichlids are so often sterile. If you've

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13:17

Coldwater Tanks CAN Have Plants: Here's What Actually...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/09/06

Can you actually grow plants in a tank with no heater? In this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art breaks down why coldwater and goldfish tanks developed such a bad reputation for plants and which ones genuinely thrive in them. He works through the tough, unappetising options that survive both cold water and grazing fish, the "sacrificial" plants worth growing on purpose so goldfish have something to eat that isn't your centrepiece, and the lighting, substrate, and CO2 basics that actually determine

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13:53

The Most Important Questions To Ask Before Choosing...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/08/01

Choosing a new fish is one of the most exciting parts of freshwater fishkeeping but it is also where many long-term aquarium problems begin. In this episode Art explores the single most important question to ask before buying a fish, along with six practical checks covering adult size, aquarium suitability, compatibility, feeding, quarantine and long-term care. Whether you are stocking your first community aquarium or adding a new species to an established tank, this episode will help you make more

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13:11

5 Simple Changes For A Healthier Freshwater Aquarium

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/07/20

A healthier aquarium does not always require expensive equipment or complicated treatments. In this episode Art explores five simple adjustments that can improve water quality, reduce algae, support healthier fish and make aquarium maintenance easier. Learn how to improve feeding, lighting, water circulation, water changes and daily observation without disrupting the stability of your freshwater aquarium. These practical fishkeeping tips are ideal for beginner and intermediate aquarists who want

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13:01

No Aquariums Allowed? How to Be a Fishkeeper Without...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/07/15

What happens when you love aquarium keeping, but your landlord says no tanks? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, we explore how to negotiate aquarium restrictions responsibly, gain practical fishkeeping experience without owning a tank, and use virtual aquariums to develop useful planning and aquascaping skills. You’ll also discover how learning about the nitrogen cycle, fish compatibility, local water parameters, and aquarium equipment now can give you a major advantage when you eventually set

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15:48

5 Most Common Fish Diseases and How To Treat Them

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/07/10

In today's episode of The Aquarist's Edge, Art explores the five most common fish diseases every freshwater aquarist eventually faces: white spot (ich), fin rot, fungal infections, velvet, and dropsy. He explains exactly how to identify and treat each one. Whether you're struggling with a tank suddenly covered in white spots or worried about ragged fins, this episode is packed with clear treatment plans you can use straight away. Learn what's really happening to your fish, from the protective slime

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17:31

Aquarium Burnout Is Real - How To Recover Without...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/07/04

Has the aquarium that once helped you relax started to feel like another source of stress? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art explores aquarium burnout, fishkeeping guilt and the cycle that can turn an enjoyable hobby into an overwhelming maintenance burden. You’ll learn why aquarium motivation fades, how perfectionism and decision fatigue affect fish keepers, and how to create a realistic recovery plan without immediately dismantling your tank. Healso discusses simplifying multiple

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17:08

Aquarium Perfectionism: How to Stop Comparing Your...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/06/27

A healthy aquarium does not need to look like a flawless social media post. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art examines how aquarium perfectionism develops, why online aquascapes can create unrealistic expectations, and how constant adjustments may affect both your enjoyment and your fish. You’ll learn how to separate responsible aquarium care from anxiety-driven maintenance, evaluate your tank using fish welfare and stability rather than appearance alone, and set realistic standards for

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15:02

Why Guppies Are So Fun to Keep - Colour, Personality,...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/05/02

Guppies are more than “beginner fish"! They’re colourful, interactive, and endlessly entertaining in a home freshwater aquarium. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art shares why guppies are so fun to keep, from their bold personalities and constantly-on-the-move behaviour to the way lighting and tank design make their colours explode. He also covers the reality of guppy breeding and fry, smart stocking and tank setup tips, and simple troubleshooting for common guppy problems like fin damage

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14:11

How to Build a Low-Stress Aquarium: A Stable,...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/04/11

Want a freshwater aquarium that stays stable, looks great, and doesn’t turn into a weekly stress project? In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down exactly how to build a low-stress aquarium setup. An aquarium that’s forgiving, low-maintenance, and reliable even when life gets busy. You’ll learn how to pick the right tank size for stability, simplify filtration, choose hardy fish and easy plants, set a sensible lighting schedule, and create a routine you’ll actually stick to.

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14:58

The Joy And The Stress Of Aquariums

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/04/03

Keeping a freshwater aquarium at home can be one of the most calming, rewarding hobbies; until a heater fails, algae takes over, or the guilt of fish loss hits hard. In this thoughtful episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art reflects on the real positives and negatives of home aquariums: stress relief, routine, learning, ethics, hidden costs, and how to keep the hobby enjoyable without chasing perfection. You’ll walk away with practical ways to simplify your setup, reduce anxiety, and build a tank that

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17:50

The Filter Isn’t a Box: How Flow, Oxygen & Biofilm...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/03/20

Your aquarium filter is a living habitat where biofilm, oxygen, and water flow decide how stable (or fragile) your freshwater tank becomes. In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art breaks down what actually happens inside sponge filters, canister filters, and hang-on-back filters, and why upgrading a filter can sometimes make a tank worse if the habitat shifts. You’ll learn how filter flow rate, surface agitation, and filter media choices shape your biological filtration, water clarity, and

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17:08

10 Proven Ways To Make Your Aquarium Healthier

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/03/14

In this episode of The Aquarist’s Edge, Art shares 10 proven ways to make your freshwater aquarium healthier. If you’re dealing with cloudy water, algae flare-ups, stressed fish, or “mystery” health issues, this episode will help you stabilise your tank and prevent problems before they start - practical fishkeeping advice, clear science, and realistic routines you can follow even when life gets busy. You’ll learn how to improve freshwater fish health, protect your biological filtration, manage

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14:35

The Phase Where Most Aquarists Quit

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/03/07

Many aquarists don’t leave the hobby at the beginning of their aquarium journey. They leave during the stage when their aquarium suddenly becomes difficult to manage. Algae outbreaks, plant melt, unstable water conditions, and constant adjustments can make even a promising tank feel frustrating and discouraging. In this episode Art explores the phase where many aquarists consider giving up. He shares why this stage happens, what is actually going on inside the aquarium ecosystem, and how hobbyists

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20:16

Fishkeeping & Neurodiversity: Why Aquariums Calm...

The Aquarist"s Edge ·

2026/02/14

Art explores a question many hobbyists quietly relate to: why do so many home aquarists seem to be neurodivergent, including people with ADHD traits, autistic traits, anxiety traits, and strong systems-thinking? Is this reality or simply perception? The episode looks at the science-meets-hobby reasons aquariums can feel uniquely regulating: predictable routines, measurable cause-and-effect, soothing sensory input, and the deep satisfaction of observation and pattern recognition. You’ll also hear

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75 results

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