Knowledge base
Care Guides
Practical advice from Elle and Louis on planted tanks, aquascaping, reptile husbandry, and the fish that keep us up at night.
Whether you're setting up your first aquarium or fine-tuning a bioactive terrarium, these guides are written from real hands-on experience. No fluff — just the information you actually need.
Your First Planted Tank: A Beginner's Complete Setup Guide
Everything you need to know to set up a thriving planted aquarium from scratch — substrate, lighting, plants, and cycling explained simply.
Elle Jordaan · 8 min read
Betta Fish Care Guide: How to Keep a Siamese Fighting Fish Properly
Bettas are beautiful, intelligent, and deeply misunderstood. They don't belong in bowls or vases. Here's how to keep one the right way — and why it matters.
Elle Jordaan · 9 min read
Puffer Fish Care Guide: Figure 8, Pea Puffers, and Green Spotted Puffers
Puffers are intelligent, personable, and endlessly entertaining — but they're not community fish. Everything you need to know about the three most popular puffer species.
Louis Jordaan · 12 min read
Leopard Gecko Care Guide: Everything a New Owner Needs to Know
Leopard geckos are one of the best reptiles for beginners. Here's how to set up their enclosure, feed them correctly, and keep them healthy long-term.
Elle Jordaan · 10 min read
African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care Guide: The Underrated Cousin of the Leopard Gecko
Fat-tailed geckos are calmer, more secretive, and need higher humidity than leopard geckos. Here's everything you need to keep one thriving.
Elle Jordaan · 8 min read
Crested Gecko Care Guide: The Complete Guide to Keeping Correlophus ciliatus
Crested geckos are arboreal, room-temperature friendly, and can thrive on a prepared diet. Here's how to keep one properly — from enclosure to feeding to handling.
Elle Jordaan · 9 min read
Aquascaping Basics: Hardscape, Layout, and the Art of Negative Space
Great aquascapes are built before a single plant goes in. Learn how to plan your hardscape, choose the right stones and wood, and use negative space effectively.
Elle Jordaan · 7 min read
Goldfish Care Guide: How to Keep Goldfish and Orandas Properly
Goldfish are not beginner fish — they're long-lived, heavy-feeding, and need far more space than most people realise. Here's how to keep common goldfish and fancy varieties like Orandas the right way.
Elle Jordaan · 12 min read
Freshwater Shrimp Care Guide: Cherry, Blue Velvet, and 24 Karat Gold Shrimp
Neocaridina shrimp are hardy, endlessly fascinating, and one of the best clean-up crews in the hobby. Here's how to keep Cherry, Blue Velvet, and 24 Karat Gold shrimp thriving in your planted tank.
Elle Jordaan · 11 min read