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Best HOB Protein Skimmer: AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 VS. CoralVue

John
The dissolution of organic compounds in the tank water for a long time would lead to the risk for your aquarium inhabitant and also some health problems for your fish. In order to maintain the water quality for the aquarium, you have to do some research and get the right tools. The best HOB protein skimmer is essential equipment that you should get to keep the healthy water condition and ensure your fish have a long happy life. To narrow your choices and make sure that you will get the right HOP skimmer for your tank, this post is the comparison between two HOB skimmer: AquaMaxx 1.5 VS. CoralVue BH-1000.

#1 Capacity and size

Capacity and size of the protein skimmer are the two factors that will determine whether it is thebest protein skimmers for your tank or not? Capacity is the most important specification to check for first to ensure the HOB protein skimmer will work as expected. AquaMaxx HOB comes with the rating range from 60 to 90 gallons tank, which makes it suitable for various aquarium sizes. And CoralVue is designed to serve for the tanks with capacities up to 100 gallons. Moreover, The size of the product is also important. You will not want to buy the skimmer and then realize that it is not fit with your tank. AquaMaxx dimensions are 7,5 x 3,5 x 17 inches. And CoralVue is a bit larger: 19,3 x 10,6 x 9,4 inches. Measure the space that you plan to place the new HOB skimmer and choosing the option will fit with this space.

#2 Efficient on cleaning process

The pump plays an important role that affects on how efficiency the HOB protein skimmer is. AquaMaxx is considered as one of the most useful model tanks to the powerful submersible Sicce pump. This pimp comes with a proprietary needle wheel impeller that makes it powerful and precise efficiency. If you are looking for the HOB protein skimmer that offers the great cleaning performance while still works quietly and does not bother you fish, the Coral Vue Octopus could be the ideal option for you. Moreover, it does not add heat to the aquarium and allow users can easily control the flow rate inside the tank.

#3 Durability and maintenance

AquaMaxx has designed that easy to clean due to the acrylic construction that is very lightweight. The weight makes it easy to handle and clean. However, there are some users complained that it is prone to leaks. CoralVue Octopus does allow heat to transfer to the tank so it removes the change to be overheated. Moreover, when it comes to cleaning, it allows you to separate a few parts and cleaning can proceed easily.

How often do crested geckos shed?

John
Shedding is an instinctive behavior of reptile life that needs to happen because it is constantly growing. Crested geckos are no exception. Normally, a crested gecko will shed their entire skin at once time. So how often do crested geckos shed? It depends on their age, when they are younger, they shed more frequently than when they get older. They also require some proper care during their shedding process since hydration and humidity are important factors for them to shed.

Why do crested geckos shed?

Crested geckos will shed their skin all their life. As mentions above, the aim of this process is to allow their bodies continuous growing. Besides, shedding also remove all the parasites and bacterial that have a risk to infest their old skin.

How often do crested geckos shed?

The younger crested geckos are growing faster, therefore they also shed their skin more frequency. The babies will shed about once a week or more. When they are juvenile, they can shed twice a month. And the times of shedding will decrease to once per month when they become adults.

How do you know when your geckos shed?

There is no defined schedule for crested geckos to shed. However, you can get to know the timing when your geckos prepare to shed their skin by some signal. Your gecko’s skin will dull and slowly turn to white before they shed. They also reduce activity levels and also may squint their eye because they will shed the eyelid skin.

How to help your geckos shed?

Although shedding skin is the natural part of gecko life and it is not a big problem for your pet. But this process also causes stress for them and also requires some care from their owner. You should give them a quiet, dark shelter place to her. Because creased geckos need to feel safe and secure during this time. Ensure that your pet does not be disturbed by the other environmental factors around them. Crested geckos also require high humidity levels during the shedding process. High humidity levels will help them shed easier and faster. Low humidity level makes their skin dry and adhere to the body. So investing in the best reptile humidifiers to make crested gecko shed easier is essential.

Should a beginner buying the best starter fish tank?

John
If you are starting your fishkeeping hobby, I’m sure there are many questions that appeared in your mind, they are getting hard to understand and became overwhelming: the aquarium size matters, the number of fish to keep, aquarium set-up cost, etc. The success of your fishkeeping hobby will depend mostly on your early choice. Buying the best starter fish tank will help you easier to maintain the aquatics environment.

What is the best starter fish tank?

The best aquarium starter kits are designed properly for the beginner set up their new aquarium easier. These tanks are completed install will all the equipment, tool, and accessories need for a basic tank and take you less of labor.  The starter fish tank usually made of glass or acrylic and come will the combo of filters, heaters, pumps, substrate, test strips, lighting, water conditioner. Different types of starter tanks vary slightly on their set up part such as some decoration stuff. But basically, these things are the most needed equipment in a starter fish tank. Including these entire things also mean that these tanks commonly come in costly price tags, much more than you buying a normal tank.

The benefits that a starter fish tank brings to beginner

Investing in starter fish tanks will be the better choice than the other options of fish tanks. Because they are plays the role of a manager for your fish. Instead of buying one by one fish tank equipment, you will need researching about each of them to choose the best, how do they work, how to install them, are these things matching with your tanks or not, etc. The best starter fish tanks will solve all this matter for you. Moreover, some starter tanks are pre-assembled already, mean that you will not lean to install them, take you a lot of them and may lead to some mistakes that should not have been made. Besides, the starter fish tank usually made by reliable manufacturers, who have many years of experience in producing fish tanks. Fish tanks produced by them will have high-quality materials and do not need high maintenance. They also give you a good warranty for a longer time. 

Best Aquarium Heaters: Fluval E VS. Cobalt Aquatics heater

John
Keeping an aquarium is a unique challenge and requires lots of research in comparison to owning a cat or a dog. There are some certain things you need to think about when deciding to keep an aquarium. One of these things is hoe to maintain consistent water temperature in your aquarium? This is when the heater comes in the handle. In order to narrow your choice and help you get the best aquarium heaters, this post is going for detail of two heaters: Fluval E Electronic Heater VS. Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm Heater.

#1 Capability and Power

People often use the best aquarium thermometers combine with a heater. The heater capability will determine the ability of heating and maintaining the desired temperature in your aquarium. In the general rule, you will need 3-5 watts for a gallon of water. Make sure that you do not choose the heater with too much or too low power for your tank. Fluval E is available at some different wattage: 50,100,200 and 300 watts. You can choose the appreciated device for your tank. It can accommodate temperature within the range of 68F to 93F. While the Cobalt heater is available at 25,50,75,150,200 and 300 watts. And the temperature range is from 66F to 96F.

#2 High accuracy temperature

Fluval F allows the user to set the temperature accuracy in 0,5F degrees. It uses the microprocessor with the dual sensors and shows the temperature in real-time in the LCD display. It also comes with the alert system, which will warn you if the temperature rises up or go down for +/-2F from the temperature range that you set before. Cobalt also has the ability to maintain water temperature within 0,5F. The display will show both the current temperature and temperature range that you set.

#3 Safety Features

The safety features are what should be contained in the heater, you will want to know if the heater is perfectly doing its job or not. The safety features will allow you not need to constantly monitor the heater or keep an eye on it all day. Fluval E comes with safety shut off functions, which will automatically turn the heat off when the water level gets too low and alarm you if the water flow is to low. Cobalt heater has integrated thermal protection, which will turn the heater off if the temperature goes out of the safety levels. Beside, Cobalt heater is also completely submersible and shatterproof.

Best Guinea Pig Bedding: Vitakraft bedding VS. Healthy Pet CritterCare

John
In the wild, guinea pigs live on the ground in grassy habitats. When be kept as pets, they also require the bedding that is soft, comfortable, and safe as what they have in natural. Without the bedding to burrow, tunnel, nest, rest and hide, the guinea pigs cannot be healthy and thrive in captivity. However, choosing the best guinea pig bedding will take your time to figure out the benefits and drawbacks of each type of bedding. In order to help you save your time and make the right decision, this post will dwindle your choice by the comparison between Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Bedding VS. Healthy Pet CritterCare Pet Bedding.

#1 Material

Whatever bedding option you are choosing, you have to ensure that the material of this bedding is safe, non-toxic and cause no harmful for your guinea pigs. The guinea pig bedding also should be soft enough. The tough bedding can cause damage to your guinea pigs’ feet and eyes. CritterCare bedding made of biodegradable wood pulp that is environmentally friendly. Due to its all-natural material, it is completely non-toxic and safe for your guinea pigs. This premium-quality is also very soft; ensure the comfort for your pets. Vitakraft bedding is made from 100% recycled, non-toxic, unbleached paper, which means it totally safe for your guinea pigs. It’s completely biodegradable; this is a great choice if you want something environmentally friendly.

#2 Highly absorbent and low in dust

This might be the most important when choosing bedding for guinea pigs because the poor hygiene cage can result in a lot of problems for your pets. The cage that contains much of dust can cause urinary tract infection, respiratory illnesses for the guinea pigs. Moreover, guinea pigs will feel uncomfortable if they have a lie and stand on a floor that is drenched by their own urine. Therefore, choosing an absorbent and low in dust bedding for guinea pigs is important. The advantage of Crittercare is that it can expand to twice its original size in the package and absorbs up to 3 times the liquids than its weight. Due to that, the bed will remain dry, damp free, and always keep your pets warm. However, this bedding can become sticky if it absorbs too much urine. One more excellent feature of this bedding is the dust-free nature; this will ensure there is no respiratory problem when using this bedding. If you are looking for the bedding that maximum absorbency then you should look over Vitakraft bedding. It is also can absorb liquid up to 3 times its weight. Not only this, and it comes in a 99,5% dust-free feature, you will need to concern about allergies or respiratory problems.

How to care for your chickens in winter

John

They Don’t Need a Heater

People keep asking if they need to put in a heater in the chicken coop for winter warmth. The answer is simply no. They group together for warmth. Furthermore, don’t seal up the coop totally. Ventilation is vital to avoid moisture development.

Utilize Deep Litter to Keep Them Warm

A profound litter method is to simply allow chicken poop and bedding material to build up in the coop over the spring, summer, and fall so that by winter you have approximately a foot of all that material on the floor of the coop. This, in turn, will radiate its very own warmth, thereby keeping the coop warm.

They May Not Lay Unless You Supplement Light

Generally, supplemental light is required in the event that you need to keep your customers or family eggs throughout the entire winter. Nonetheless, there are a few drawbacks to supplementing light – it can get the birds stressed up and affect their laying life. Before doing this, consider the pros and cons.

Feed Them Corn in the Evening to Keep Them Warm All Night

Treating your chickens to a meal of cracked corn before bed gives them something to process all through the night and this keeps them warm. ?

Hang a Head of Cabbage for a Chicken Play Toy

Much the same as people, chickens can get somewhat exhausted and stir-crazy in the winter. My chickens seem to get a bunch of joy when I hang a head of cabbage on a string in the coop. It gives them something to peck at while it flies around.

Make Them a Nice Sunroom

In case you’re stressed over your female birds not having enough space in the coop, you can construct a sort of clear plastic cold frame or nursery style expansion to your coop. They will move into it and have more space on pleasant days, and you can sit back and relax realizing they aren’t too stressed and having a nice time.

Petroleum Jelly on Combs and Wattles Protects from Frostbite

In very cold regions, you may find that breeds with vast wattles and combs are inclined to frostbite. You can cover their wattles and combs with petroleum jelly to protect them.

Chickens Don’t Like Snow

When the temperature drops down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit range, I noticed chickens don’t usually go out in the snow. You can dissipate roughage or straw on the ground and this will make it more tasteful for them. I also found out that when the temperature is in the 30s, they don’t seem to have a problem going out.

Chickens Don’t Have to Be Put Inside in Bad Weather

Chickens are smart enough to know when they ought to be outside and when they don’t want to. Let it be their choice.

Roosts Are Key

Chickens gave the tendency to perch together and fluff themselves out. This also helps them to keep warm. It likewise keeps them off the ground if it is cold. Ensure you provide them with enough space to roost comfortably.
 

How To Properly Use Reptile Tank Heater?

John
For all reptiles, the appropriate temperature in the enclosure is one of the most essential requirements. Reptiles need the temperature to improve their internal body process and maintain a healthy immune system. The temperature in the tank should not be too hot as to overheat the reptiles. And also it should not be too cool so your reptiles won’t get enough amount of heat. Even though you got the perfect reptile tank heater, you also need to figure out how to properly use it.

Tips for using reptile tank heater

The best reptile heat mat should combine with some devices such as heat lamp or basking lamp to give the idea environment to your pưt. Placing the heating lamps at the end of the warmer side in your tank. Also placing lighting on this side to attract your reptiles to the warmer side by the white light. Therefore, your reptiles will tend to spend their time basking under the heater and UVB light. Providing a basking spot for your pets to allow them to lay on it and their entire body can be received heat. Give them a surface for basking, this surface should be large enough to contain all the reptile’s body and do not have any sharp corners that can damage your pets. Produce some sheltered places for them to hide away from the light when they get hot or stress. Using 2 thermometers in two opposite sides of the tank to ensure both the warmest spot and the cool spot is in the proper and optimum temperatures. It is better to get 2 types of heater: a daytime heater and night time heater. Depend on the seasons of the year; regulate the turning time of each heater. This will mimic the natural day and night cycle for your reptiles and help the to maintain their circadian rhythms. You should replace your heat lamps every 6 to 12 months depending on the types of lamps since after a few times of use, these lamps will be reduced the efficiency. Using the heat lamps with ceramic socket is always safer than the plastic ones since it cannot be melt even if the heat output is too hot.

What Are The Common Types Of Filter For Fish Tank?

John
In order to take care of fish and ensure them live a healthy happy life, you have to feed them and clean up the mess that they left behind include their waste, leftover food, algae and dirt built up in the fish tank. But you cannot completely clean the tank without a best filter for fish tank. Choosing the right fish tank filter can be difficult if you do not understand anything about the different types of them, what are the features of each type, their advantages and disadvantages. So in this post, you will learn all you need to know about types of best fish tank filters that most common and available on the market:

Canister filters

The canister filter provides on all fronts of functions: mechanical, chemical and biological. Canister filter is kept at the outside of the tank make it easier when cleaning but there is also a problem if you do not have space outside since Canister filter is much larger than other filters. This type of filter is one of the most effective and powerful devices in comparison with the other types. However, great power and flexibility also come with lots of complications when install and maintain. It is also quite expensive.

Hang on back filter (HOB)

This type of filer is very common due to its reasonable price. As the name suggests, HOB filter usually hangs on the back of the tank. They are external but less bulky than Canister filters so it does not tank you much space to set up. It also does not tank the space inside where your fish live. There is the down point that this HOB filter might be the poor chemical filtration and less efficient than other devices.

Sponge filter

This type of filter is mechanical and biological filter. Air pumps or power heads can power it. Sponge filter very effective will the small tank. It does not produce strong current and safe for your fish. But the drawback is that you have to replace or clean the sponge to remove the bacteria. It is not difficult tank to clean but you need to do this work regularly.

Wet/dry filter

It is known as the best biological filtration. If you are keeping a large tank or a saltwater fish tank, this filter is absolutely suitable for your tank. It increases the amount of beneficial bacteria and effective to waste treatment.  But it is not easy to install and take more cost to setup this filter

Checklist new owners should know before going to a dog pet shop near me

John
If you are a new owner of a god, ensure that you know how to properly care for your pet. That meant you should learn about basic dog care and what your dog needs to be happy and healthy. Basically, every dog will need proper nutrition, a regular visit to the vet, health monitoring, some accessories, doing exercise, and affection. Before you bring your dog home you should give them: quality food for a dog, a bed or doghouse, toys, grooming supplies, etc. These things can easily find at any dog pet shop near me.

#1 Dog food

Researching about some dog food companies that are known as using high-quality ingredients and formulates foods that include nutrition and well balanced. Purchasing on high-quality food is necessary and you should not skimp on it. Besides, you can use the same brand of food with the breeder (where you get your dog) was feeding them for a few first weeks and slowly changing. This is will ensure that your dog’s stomach cannot be upset.

#2 Food ad water bowls/dishes

There are lots of types of food and water bowls for dogs available in dog shop near me. However, we recommend you to use the tip-proof, stainless steel materials bowls because they are the most durability and value.

#3 Collar and ID tag

Absolutely, you don’t want to lose your dog for any reason. The best way to prevent this happen is buying for your dog a fit well collar and an ID tag. In this tag, write your dog’s name, your address and phone number.

#4 Dog bed

Dog prefers o have a cozy warm place to snuggle up and take a rest. When buying a bed for your dog, ensure you choose the right size bed that can accommodate your dog’s size even when they grow. Some dogs will chew their bed so it is better to choose something with durable material.

#5 Dog toys

All puppies tend to active and they need mental stimulation. Toys also a best way for you to play and connect with your dog. Choosing the toys that suit your dog’s age. Spending your free time to play with your pet.

#6 Grooming supplies

You should have some basic grooming supplies at home such as shampoo, a comb, a brush, nail clippers. These things are essential products when you bathing your dog at home.

Different types of the best aquarium thermometers

John
Are you caring about the water temperature in your tank and want to equip a heater for your aquarium? It is good but not enough, nothing can ensure the accuracy of temperature than a thermometer. Especially if you are keeping a tropical fish or any marine fish that needs warm water. A cheap heater with an inaccuracy adjustment can kill your fish. Buying the best aquarium thermometer is very important to show you exactly the water temperature. This article will get you to know about the different types of thermometer.

#1 Stick-On Aquarium Thermometers

As the name suggests, the stick-on thermometers have a sticky back and stuck on the outside of the aquarium. By this place, reading the temperature on this device seems to be very easy. It is also the most popular thermometer with any fish-keeper. There is the down point is that the temperature that they read sometimes be influenced by room temperature. Do not place them by the side of the heater, direct sunlight, fireplace.

#2 Floating glass thermometer

With this type of thermometers, you have to submerge them fully below the water. Since they float in the tank, it may get hard for you to read the temperature. To solve this problem, some manufacturers design them with a wide variety of colors, so you will more easy to know when the temperature runs out of the safety zone. This device made of glass, so it is considerably more fragile than the other types of thermometer. This also leads to the possibility of booking the thermometer and may be harmful to your fish.

 #3 Digital Aquarium Thermometer

The last type of thermometer I would like to share with you is a digital thermometer. This is the most expensive thermometer at all but also the most accurate thermometer as well. It is totally not influenced by the temperature surrounding. The digital aquarium thermometers are considered as the best aquarium thermometers. There are two kinds of digital aquarium thermometer: Wireless connected and a thermometer with a suction.