Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

You heard them talk about their dream saltwater fish in the last episode. Now Ben, Charles, and Amy are discussing their dream freshwater fish! Many of these are rare fish that they’ve never seen before, but some are fish that deserve a whole tank devoted to them. What’s your dream fish? Comment on our Facebook page or send an e-mail to podcast@watercolorsaquariumgallery.com

We just talked about our dream tanks. In the next couple of episodes we’ll be talking about our dream fish! This week it’s all about saltwater. A dream fish could be one you’ve always wanted to keep, or if you ask Charles sometimes it’s a fish you wish existed.  What’s your dream fish? Head over to the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Facebook page to join the discussion...

This week our team got the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Alisha Davidson, an expert in non indigenous species and their spread. The discussion covers how an organism winds up on watch lists, and where to find the lists. Most importantly, this episode focuses on the impact the aquarium hobby has on wild waterways and the simple ways we can all reduce our responsibility. Questions for Dr. Davidso...

Ben, Charles, and Amy get a little personal in this edition of the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast. This week, they’re discussing their dream tanks and what it would take to achieve them. Some of these are nearly 1000 gallon reef systems, some are as small as 20 gallons. A dream tank could be the setup you’re investing in right now, or something you know you’ll never do but...

This week Ben, Charles, and Amy bring to the table their favorite fish that are easy to breed.  Whether you can “Just Add Water” or let the fish take care of each other, this list covers some of the best fish to start your breeding career off with success. Of course they can’t keep it to just five… Below is a list of the fish they selected for their lists, as well as a coup...

This week: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss one of everyone’s favorite groups of fish. Sharks can be incredibly rewarding aquarium fish if chosen carefully. This episode covers what makes a shark acceptable for aquariums and the species recommended here at Water Colors. The book referenced in this episode is Aquarium Sharks and Rays by Scott Michael

Lighting can be one of the most overwhelming aquarium purchases. It’s difficult to know exactly what lights are best for an aquarium just by looking at the box, and lights are often the most expensive boxes you buy for the tank. In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss how light spectrums and intensity are measured. They also offer up some recommendations for lighting based off of what...

In this episode, Ben, Charles, and Amy talk about their favorite aquarium products. These are the filters, lights, additives, tools and more that make our hobby that much easier and more successful.

Ben, Charles, and Amy return to form in another top five list week. This time they discuss the aquarium plants that they believe don’t get the attention they deserve. Whether they’re classics that can be used differently, a perfect alternative for a more common plant, or relatively unknown, there’s a plant in this episode for nearly every aquascape.

If you’re a regular customer at Water Colors, you probably have a love hate relationship with our quarantine procedures. Each of our saltwater fish is quarantined for at least four weeks and treated for any possible parasite. Our staff is dedicated to selling only the most healthy fish possible. We strongly believe that this is the way that every aquarium shop should be operating. The decisi...

If you’ve ever considered breeding fish for fun or profit, you have probably considered selling to other hobbyists or fish stores. If you’re an experienced breeder, you may have wondered what goes into the value of your fish, and why it’s so much different than what you see on store shelves. In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy get into some of the details of why fish cost what...

Bettas may be the most beloved group of fish on the planet. If you’re listening to this episode, chances are you’ve kept one if not many in your lifetime. While the domestic strains of Betta splendens are undoubtedly an aquarium staple, the wild species can be just as rewarding to keep, and in some ways less problematic. In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss bettas of all shap...

Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss the broad subject of filtration. They explain the three types of filtration and why you need them, the nitrogen cycle, what a filter does, and (perhaps more importantly) what a filter does not do. Getting the right filtration for your tank can make maintenance easier. In this episode, they share their favorite types of filters and how they use them to keep their aquar...

In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy have a conversation on a hotly debated subject in the aquarium hobby. Should we be buying wild caught, captive bred, tank raised, or larval reared fish? What is the difference, and what is the best for our hobby as well as for our planet? While it may seem obvious that a fish in a tank is one less in the wild, the issue is as complex as any other in conservat...

In this episode: Ben gets the opportunity to geek out on one of his favorite groups of fish. Killifish are some of the most diverse and adaptable organisms on the planet, found in nearly every type of freshwater ecosystem and on nearly every continent. If you’ve never considered keeping killifish before, give this episode a try. There’s a killi for every method of aquarium keeping, you...

It’s easier than ever to find information, but how do we know who to trust? In the misinformation age, it can be difficult to differentiate fact from opinion. Whether a source is in person, online, or even printed there are some telltale signs that something may not be correct. During this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss their tips and tricks for assessing information and its credibil...

In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss the most majestic and one of the most misunderstood groups of saltwater fish. Angelfish come in all sizes and if you’re into reef keeping, chances are there’s a species of angel that will work in your tank

In this week’s episode of the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast: Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss one of the more controversial subjects in the aquarium hobby. Genetically modified fish can be hybrids, transgenic, or selectively bred. Let us know how you feel on the subject! Check out Water Colors Aquarium Gallery on YouTube, and as always, #keepthosehandswet

This episode is a good one for anyone considering a saltwater setup. Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss the subject of the saltwater cleanup crew. A clean up crew is the team of invertebrates and fish that can make aquarium maintenance that much easier, but they aren’t all always needed. They share their favorite helpers and those who’ve been less than helpful, as well as some tips to preve...

In this episode, Ben, Charles, and Amy attempt to answer the huge question: “How do I start an aquarium?” In the process, they discuss their best time saving and budget saving options for many different types of aquariums, as well as how to start up some of the more specialized systems. Whether you’re just starting your first tank, making the jump to saltwater, or just want to ta...

Another Top Five list from Water Colors. Ben, Charles, and Amy discuss their top five underrated saltwater fish. Whether they’ll fit in any reef or deserve a tank all to themselves, these fish deserve a bigger place in the reefkeeping hobby. If you’ve never kept a reef tank before, they focus on some fish that would be the perfect start to your saltwater hobby.

This time Ben, Charles, and Amy talk about the saltwater fish they hope never to see at Water Colors. There’s some debate over why a fish doesn’t belong in a reef tank, but there are certainly some they can all agree on! If you’re interested in this subject, don’t forget to listen to our first episode to hear the freshwater version. Let us know which fish are on your list....

In this episode of the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast, Charles gets to flex his research muscles. He, Ben, and Amy share what they know about clownfish. From their genetic history, to the quirks and stories that make them some of the most beloved aquarium fish. For those of you who’ve heard enough about a certain famous clown, hear them out. They discuss all of the different clades an...

In this episode Ben, Charles, and Amy tackle the tricky subject of testing. This may seem like a dry subject, but it illustrates the difference in their aquarium keeping styles and philosophies. From cycling your tank to managing SPS corals, they get into what situations testing is useful for and how to go about it.  Let us know what you do to test your water. Don’t forget to subscribe and c...

In this episode: Ben, Charles, and Amy made lists of the 5 aquarium fish that don’t get enough love. These are the fish we’re really excited to talk about, but don’t hear too many other people mention. Let us know which fish you think are underrated!