Knowledge Base
Shirley Aquatics has a vast knowledge base to help you care for your aquatic life. Learn more about how to appropriately care for your aquatic life from our online articles and downloadable guides.
Knowledge Articles
Top 5 OASE pond products.
OASE are considered by many to be the last word in water gardening. Here are our Top 5 favourite OASE products we stock and use ourselves!
How often should I do Water Changes?
Like the majority of fishkeeping, there are lots of different opinions online about water changes. All we can do is tell you what works best for us in the form of questions regularly asked….
How to look after Pond Lilies?
Lilies are an attractive addition to any pond. They produce a beautiful flower and their pads offer great shade for your fish and wildlife, offering somewhere to hide from predators. The shading a lily provides can also help with the prevention of algae!
What is the best food to keep my Koi and Pond Fish healthy?
It’s important to keep your fish healthy and happy. In this article we give you our recommendation on which foods will help you do that.
How Good is the Triton Method?
Triton, does this live up to its godly name and produce the natural haven we all desire in our Reef Aquariums?
What is the best Rimless Aquarium?
Rimless aquariums have become extremely popular. Rimless aquariums use thicker glass on the back and sides. Here is our favourite.
Using Natural Sea Water in Reef Aquariums
Opinions generally fall into two categories, those that have seen dramatic improvement in their setup & those who are worried about pollution.
Fish and the winter time blues..aka..what food should I be feeding my pond fish?
Fish are cold-blooded, as the water temperature drops so does their metabolism. They swim around less, breathe less and eat less.
How can I get rid of Blanket weed in my pond?
Blanket weed or string Algae is a nightmare! It looks horrible, it traps debris and bacteria and can be lethal to fish like Sturgeon.
WINTER IS COMING!
As Winter approaches there are some important facts you need to know to keep your pond healthy through the next few months.
How do I feed frozen bloodworm to a fish?
If you, like so many others out there, have opted to feed your fish frozen bloodworm, then here is a helpful guide that advises not only the necessary steps, but also reasons as to why we recommend this food choice, and the risks that apply when following alternative methods.
What is the best thermostat for my Heat bulb?
Thermostats are the most important piece of equipment that you will purchase for your reptile. If used correctly, they will stop your vivarium from overheating and will keep the vivarium at a constant temperature. Selecting the right thermostat for your heat source is important to the lifespan of your bulb. There are a few different […]
What is the best heating for my Terrapin?
Terrapins have very specific requirements when it comes to their heating and lighting. They need a heat light which will reach approx. 40*C and a UV light to replicate sun light. Without both of these they will not be able to digest their food properly and absorb the nutrients they require. Both of these lights […]
What is the best food to feed a Crested Gecko?
As Crested Geckos are primarily fruit eaters, it is not always easy to replicate their exact diet in captivity. With their big eyes, velvety skin, docile nature and colour changing ability, they have fast become a favourite in the pet trade. They do enjoy livefoods too, crickets and locusts are a firm favourite of theirs. […]
What is the best calcium supplement for my reptile?
Baby Lizards: Calci dust twice a week and +D3 once a week. Adult Lizards: Calci dust once/twice a week and a calcium + D3 supplement only once a week. *The above would be for Insectivorous who get fed 3 times a week* For Omnivours a similar pattern should be used but lightly dust salad with […]
What is an alternative feed to Crickets?
A lot of people find that they do not like the sound Crickets make. They loudly chirp throughout the day and night, this chirping can usually be heard all around your house. Many people find it soothing but many find it annoying. Solutions to this can be to put them out of the house in […]
Koi Health-Why are my koi getting fat stomachs?
Koi do not have stomachs, just a digestive tract. The “fat belly “appearance is caused by feeding a poor quality food which is high in carbohydrates and poorly balanced ingredients. The fat builds up around the internal organs and can lead to health problems, such as heart attacks. Feed Saki Multiseason, a high quality, balanced […]
Koi Health- What do I feed young koi?
Koi up to one year old ( Tosai) have a high metabolic rate and can digest up to 65% protein content. Look for a quality food with 40% protein content (fish meal based) and supplement the diet with Silkworm Pupae, crushed up. The balance of the ingredients needs to be perfect, otherwise they will grow […]
Koi Health- How can I stop koi colours fading?
Koi cannot produce the colours themselves and need carotenoids( colourants) in their diet to help produce the colour. Hikari Gold and Saki Colour both contain Astaxanthin, a powerful colour enhancer, which will brighten up the orange/ red on your koi without affecting the whites. Poorer quality foods may make the whites appear creamy. Feed above […]
Koi Health- Why do my koi produce a lot of waste?
It is down to the balance and quality of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in the food. Koi struggle to digest protein without the correct carbohydrate profile. Therefore, they cannot digest the food as efficiently if it is incorrectly balanced. The addition of probiotics in the diet greatly reduces the amount of waste produced, as these […]
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