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Discover the fish tank filter system that’s right for your aquarium. Learn about mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration at Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to safely handle your aquatic life to avoid toxin & bacterial exposure. Find aquatic life care supplies at your neighborhood Petco pet care center.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Wondering why you may need CO2 in your fish aquarium? Learn the basics from a Petco aquatics specialist.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Choosing the right substrate for your aquarium is important and provides an area for beneficial bacteria to grow which keeps your aquatic environment safe.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Search Petco to learn about blackwater fish aquariums. We want to help you decide what lifestyle is best for your unique fish.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
It is possible the tank has not cycled properly which results in high ammonia and nitrite levels which can kill fish. Allow the tank to run, without fish, for at least 4-6 weeks. During this time, use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing every few days. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. What you are looking for is to have ammonia and nitrites at 0 ppm and nitrates at 20ppm or less. pH can hover around 7 for most community fish. Avoid large, rapid swings in pH though. What is happening in the tank during this time is that beneficial bacteria are populating the gravel/substrate and the filter. These bacterial populations are responsible for the Nitrogen Cycle. This cycle breaks down wastes from fish, uneaten food and plant matter into by-products that are filtered out or dissipate. You can "cycle" a tank with fish, however this increases the risk of loss. Once your tank has cycled, you can add fish. You will still need to monitor water chemistry a
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! You can probably extend it to one month if you are doing water changes that often. I would recommend you extend it to 3 weeks first. If that goes well then extend it to 4 weeks to see how it goes. You can then decide how long you can let it go before cleaning. Best of luck!
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Anything less than a 100 gallon tank would be insufficient for koi of your sizes. They can be fed as you feed outdoors. Filtration would be critical to maintain water quality. A combination of mechanical, biological and chemicals filtration would be required.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out. If is a good idea to fast for 1-2 days prior to shipment, this decreased feces and will help to keep the ammonia down. Typically clear bags are utilized with about 50% water, and 50% air/oxygen used. A local pet store might be able to assist, as they get shipment in (so have older bags and boxes, which need to be disinfected) and hopefully the skills to ship. Check with the airline also, box needs to be well labelled "LIE ANIMALS" and "THIS END UP". Sometimes a health certificate for interstate travel is needed, so contact airline and State of Utah, veterinarian. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
I'm sorry you are having difficulties with your aquarium. There are several issues that should be dealt with right now. They are water chemistry, aquarium size and choice/number of fish. Any new aquarium should be set up and, ideally, run empty for several weeks (usually 4-6 weeks). This is so beneficial bacteria have an opportunity to populate the substrate and filter. These bacteria are necessary to break down wastes that fish will produce. The technical phrase for this is "establishing the Nitrogen cycle". These bacteria will break down wastes into ammonia then nitrites then nitrates. Nitrates can then dissipate or be absorbed/used by live plants. In high enough concentrations, ammonia and nitrites are toxic and can kill fish. Cycling a tank with fish is possible but it increases the risk of loss. Water chemistry should be checked every few days using a liquid home test kit. A water sample can be submitted for testing , but is not as convenient as testing yourself. Most pet sto
Updated on August 12th, 2025