The Green Journal

Expert Low Tech Fish Care Guides

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team

Explore our collection of low tech fish care guides and practical articles.

Planted Tank Basics featured article

Beginner Guides

Planted Tank Basics

A beginner-friendly guide to starting a low-tech planted aquarium, covering the holy trinity of light, substrate, and nutrients.

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Knowledge Journey

Take Action After Reading

Turn article insights into decisions with calculators, fish pages, and a quick personalized quiz flow.

Calculator

"Why Is My Fish Dying?" Diagnostic Tool

Don't panic — most fish illnesses are treatable if caught early. Select the exact symptoms your fish is showing and our diagnostic engine will identify the most likely cause, whether it's Ich, Dropsy, ammonia poisoning, or a parasite — and walk you through exactly what to do right now to save them.

Calculator

Ammonia Toxicity Calculator (Free NH3)

Enter your test kit reading (TAN), pH, and temperature — get an instant SAFE or LETHAL verdict for Free Ammonia (NH3). Built for API Master Kit users, cichlid tanks, reef setups, and fish breeders.

Calculator

Annual Fish Keeping Cost Calculator

Estimate the true annual cost of your aquarium by entering tank volume, heater wattage, filter and light power, heater runtime, and local electricity rate. Get a practical itemized breakdown for heating, filtration, lighting, water, and routine consumables before you set up, upgrade, or troubleshoot a tank.

Fish Guide

African Butterflyfish

Complete African Butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) care guide. Learn optimal tank size (30-40+ gal), water parameters (pH 6.0-7.5, 75-86°F), surface feeding, breeding simulation, and compatible tank mates.

Fish Guide

African Cichlid

Complete African Cichlid (Mbuna/Peacock/Haplochromis) care guide. Learn optimal tank size (55-75+ gal), water parameters (pH 7.8-8.6, 75-82°F), Rift Lake setup, diet, and species compatibility.

Fish Guide

African Leaf Fish

Complete African Leaf Fish (Ctenopoma acutirostre / Leopard Bushfish) care guide. Learn optimal tank size (40-55+ gal), water parameters (pH 6.5-7.5, 75-82°F), carnivorous diet, and compatible tank mates.