The Tank Guide University

Where curiosity meets science.

The Tank Guide University is the research backbone behind everything we publish. Every tool, guide, and story on this site begins its life here—in a collection of articles, lecture notes, and research papers from working scientists, educators, and aquatic institutions.

This page doesn't replace those experts. Instead, it helps you move through their work with purpose. Think of it like a study hall: follow a topic, pause to apply what you learn to your own tank, then come back and go deeper. Over time, these cycles of reading, testing, and observing turn aquarium "tips" into real understanding you can rely on.

As you work through these study areas, you'll see how they connect back to our Gear Guide, Cycling Coach, and Stocking Advisor—all built on the same foundation of responsible, science-based aquarium keeping.

Water Chemistry

Water chemistry is the language your aquarium speaks every day. pH, KH, GH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all describe how comfortable—or stressed—your fish and plants feel. When you understand how these pieces fit together, test kits stop being intimidating and start becoming a clear health report.

Begin by learning the chemistry of your tap water. Notice how pH and hardness shift once you add substrate, wood, rocks, and fish. As you explore the university resources in this section, pay attention to the patterns they describe—especially how ammonia appears, how quickly it converts, and how buffering stabilizes pH.

Compare what you read with your own measurements. Use the Cycling Coach to track ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate during the nitrogen cycle, then use your Daily Tank Journal to monitor how your water stabilizes over time. The more you observe, the more predictable your aquarium becomes.

Filtration

Filtration isn't just about running a filter—it's about understanding how mechanical, biological, and chemical stages work together to keep your aquarium stable. When you can identify which stage is doing what, routine maintenance becomes calm and predictable rather than reactive.

The studies in this section explain how filter bodies, media layering, and flow rates influence water quality. As you read, imagine how water moves through your own setup: where it enters, how slowly it passes through media, and how often each layer should be rinsed or replaced.

Pair these foundational concepts with our Gear Guide and upcoming filtration videos in the Media Library, so you can build a maintenance routine that matches your tank size, fish, and personal schedule.

Fish Care & Maintenance

Set up your equipment, keep observation logs, and follow stocking steps that protect fish as your system matures. These classroom resources translate professional aquaculture practices into home-scale routines.

Health & Biosecurity

Health and biosecurity go beyond treating sick fish—they focus on preventing disease before it spreads. Quarantine tanks, sanitation workflows, and disinfection practices may sound advanced, but they're simply systems that keep pathogens from moving between tanks, nets, and new arrivals.

As you read through these professional resources, notice how experts think about contamination: where risk enters, how microorganisms survive on equipment, and how something as simple as a shared bucket can introduce disease. Then scale these ideas down into realistic home routines: a small quarantine tote, a dedicated net per tank, or a bleach-and-dechlorination cycle for shared tools.

When combined with regular testing and thoughtful stocking, biosecurity becomes one of the most powerful skills in the hobby—keeping your aquarium healthier and more stable over time.

Aquascaping & Aquatic Plants

Compare submerged, emergent, and floating species to design living structures that stabilize freshwater habitats.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tank Guide University is a curated collection of aquarium research from universities like Duke, Penn State, and UF/IFAS Extension. Instead of scattered blog posts, you'll find peer-reviewed studies and classroom resources that explain water chemistry, filtration, fish health, and aquatic plant care. These materials form the research foundation behind our Cycling Coach, Stocking Advisor, and Gear Guide.

No. Pick one topic that matches where you are right now—like water chemistry if you're cycling a new tank, or health and biosecurity if you're planning a quarantine setup. Read a few articles, test what you learned in your aquarium, then come back when you're ready for the next topic. Learning aquarium science works best in small, focused sessions rather than cramming everything at once.

Yes. All linked resources are publicly available through university extension programs, educational outreach sites, and academic institutions. These materials were originally created for students, farmers, and educators—and they're free for anyone who wants to learn responsible aquarium keeping.

Start with the Water Chemistry section to understand pH, ammonia, and the nitrogen cycle. Read one or two articles from Duke University or UF/IFAS Extension, then use our Cycling Coach to track your own tank's cycle in real time. Once your water is stable, explore the Filtration and Fish Care sections to build maintenance routines. Pair your reading with hands-on testing—the best learning happens when you connect research to your actual aquarium.

Yes. Many resources in the Teaching & Classroom Study section were specifically designed for K-12 educators. Penn State's Freshwater Aquarium Lesson Plan includes observation worksheets and cycling timelines perfect for family projects or homeschool science units. Start with hands-on activities—testing water, sketching fish behavior, tracking temperature—then use the university articles to explain the "why" behind what kids observe.

Every tool on The Tank Guide is built on research from this University collection. The Cycling Coach uses nitrogen cycle studies to guide ammonia and nitrite tracking. The Stocking Advisor applies bioload research and species compatibility data. The Gear Guide recommends filters, test kits, and equipment based on filtration science and water chemistry principles. When you study here first, you'll understand why the tools recommend what they do—turning automated advice into real expertise you can rely on.

How to Use The Tank Guide University

You don't need to study everything at once. Pick the topic that matches where you are right now—cycling a new tank, solving an algae issue, planning a larger setup, or preparing a school lesson—and follow that path for a little while. Take notes, test your water, and adjust one habit at a time.

As you read through university research and classroom materials, you'll start noticing patterns: how ammonia appears and converts, how buffering stabilizes pH, how filter flow affects biological colonization. These aren't abstract concepts—they're descriptions of what's already happening in your tank right now.

Connect Your Learning to Action

When you're ready to apply what you've learned, explore our interactive tools and resources. Each one is built on the same university research you'll find in this collection:

Cycling Coach

Track your nitrogen cycle in real time with step-by-step guidance through ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate phases. Use this alongside the Water Chemistry and Filtration sections to understand why your readings change and what they mean for adding fish safely.

Stocking Advisor

Get science-backed stocking recommendations that consider bioload, behavior, and territory—not just "inches per gallon." Pair this with the Fish Care & Maintenance and Health & Biosecurity sections to plan quarantine periods and monitor compatibility as your community grows.

Gear Guide

Find research-supported recommendations for filters, test kits, lighting, and maintenance tools. Cross-reference these picks with the Filtration and Water Chemistry studies so you know which equipment matches your tank size, fish, and testing routine.

Media Library

Watch videos and visual guides showing these concepts in action—water testing techniques, filter maintenance, plant trimming, and observation skills. Use these alongside written resources when you need to see the "how" in addition to understanding the "why."

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