Equipment Guide Archives - Fish Keeping My

Do You Need a UV Sterilizer? The Science of Killing Bacteria with Light

Equipment Guide, Fish Health / Disease, Latest / admin

Disclaimer: Based on disinfection methods outlined in the scientific review “Infectious diseases in aquarium ornamental pet fish.” You see them in high-end fish shops. Glowing tubes hidden inside filters. They claim to give you “Crystal Clear Water” and “Disease Free Fish.” They are UV Sterilizers (Ultraviolet). According to veterinary science, UV radiation is highly effective […]

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The 15-Day Rule: How to Quarantine New Fish Like a Pro (Without Expensive Gear)

Equipment Guide, Fish Health / Disease, Latest, Scientific Reviews / admin

Disclaimer: Based on the preventive measures outlined in the scientific review “Infectious diseases in aquarium ornamental pet fish.” You go to the shop. You buy a beautiful new Neon Tetra. You bring it home, float the bag, and release it into your main tank. Three days later, your new Tetra has white spots. Five days

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White LED vs. WRGB: Do You Really Need to Spend RM300?

Aquascaping, Beginner Guide, Equipment Guide, Plants / Chris

A beginner walks in, points at a RM30 Sobo LED and a RM300 Chihiros WRGB, and asks: “Boss, both also light. Why this one 10 times more expensive? Will the fish die if I use the cheap one?” The short answer is: No, the fish won’t care. The long answer is: Your red plants will

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Freshwater vs. Saltwater Aquarium: The Honest Cost in Malaysia

Beginner Guide, Equipment Guide, Latest, Reality Checks / admin

We have all been there. You are at the Local Fish Shop (LFS). You walk past the Guppies and Tetras. Then, you see the blue glow. You see the coral. You see “Nemo.” You look at the price tag on the Clownfish: RM25. You think: “Hey, that’s cheap! I can afford that. Maybe I should

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Do You Need a Heater for Betta Fish in Malaysia?

Bettas, Equipment Guide, Latest, Malaysian Guide / Chris

If you join any international Betta fish group on Facebook, the first thing they will scream at you is: “Where is your heater? Bettas are tropical fish! They need 78°F (26°C)!” They are not wrong. Bettas are tropical fish.But here is the thing: We live in the tropics. In Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor, our

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The Malaysian Heat Guide: Do You Need a Chiller or Just a Fan?

Beginner Guide, Equipment Guide, Latest, Malaysian Guide / Chris

If you read aquarium guides from the USA or UK, they always say: “Step 1: Buy a Heater.”If you live in Kuala Lumpur or Penang, please ignore that advice. Our problem isn’t the cold; it’s the heat.The average water temperature in a Malaysian home (without air-con) sits between 29°C and 31°C. If you add a

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How to Keep Your Aquarium Cool in Malaysia (Fan vs. Chiller Guide)

Beginner Guide, Equipment Guide, Latest / admin

If you read aquarium guides from the UK or USA, they spend paragraphs talking about “Heaters.”In Malaysia, we laugh at that. Our tap water comes out at 28°C. By 2:00 PM, your tank water can easily hit 31°C or 32°C.While your Discus might think this is a spa day, your expensive Crystal Red Shrimps and

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