The Aqua Essentials Blog

A delightful crypt for the planted aquarium...

2010-07-26T20:26:00.000+01:00

Crypts are fantastic aquatic plants and tend to cause little problems to the hobbyist. They are very adaptable to a wide range of water conditions and the species is very broad too.

One of our favourite crypts is crypt bullosa which is a greeny brown plant with slightly dimpled leaves. This makes it look a little different in your aqaurium and one of the reasons it's so attractive!

This particular plant looks delightful when planted in groups of 2 or 3 and looks even nicer if you plant it around rocks (something like mini landscape). This provides immediate impact and is very easy on the eye.

Hikari Saki - brings the best out of your koi...

2010-07-19T20:42:00.000+01:00

Hikari Sake is world renowned for the highest quality food available for koi. For the last 2 consecutive years the World Koi Championships has been won by a breeder using Hikari Saki!

So what's so special about it? Primarily the ingredients. Made from the very best ingredients that you could feed koi. If you want your koi to grow quickly use Saki Growth. If you want your fish to colour up, Use Saki Colour.

We have personal experience of using Saki Growth and the results are truly incredible and fish grow quicker than you believe.

What's more is we're offering these at 15% off the RRP. Doesn't get any better than that!

Mixed beach pebbles for aquariums

2010-07-13T20:45:00.000+01:00

Ever wanted a really natural look in your aquarium but just weren't sure where to find the right decor? We have natural beach pebbles that look incredible in an aquarium.

The bags of pebbles range is size from 4-15cm approximately are dark grey in colour and there are no sharp edges for fish to catch themselves on. What's more the 4kg bags are a real bargain at £6.99.

Other benefits are these pebbles won't effect your water parameters like pH. If you want to our range of other pebbles available follow this link.

What skimmer should I use for my marine tank?

2010-07-07T22:18:00.000+01:00

A question that is often asked for hobbyists who keep reef tanks. A protein skimmer is an important piece of equipment that should not be overlooked. Don't skrimp on it either or else it will come back and haunt you (and cost you more!).

Introducing the Red Sea C-Skim 1800. This skimmer is revolutionary as it contains all the characteristics of a commercial skimmer without the cost or the physical footprint. Extremely efficient and user friendly this skimmer is a breeze to use and maintain. And what's more is we're offering it with a free feed pump worth £79.99!!

You can view the skimmer here.

TMC AquaRay MultiControl 8 Output Dimming Controller

2010-07-02T20:49:00.000+01:00

Finally the wait is over for all TMC fans who use their LEDs. In the past their controllers only ever operated 1 light per controller. As many hobbyists were using multiple lights above their tanks (particularly marine hobbysists) it meant purchasing lots of controllers which was costly.

Now the TMC AquaRay MultiControl 8 Output Dimming Controller fixes all those issues. With 8 sockets you can control 8 different units and all controlled by just one plug!

You can visit our range of TMC lighting here.

How can I watch my fish feed?

2010-06-28T20:41:00.000+01:00

Everyone loves watching fish feed - there's something fascinating watching your favourite fish eat the food you have chosen. But all too often, the fish can be shy or easily frightened and therefore it's hard to see if they are eating the food or if other more confident fish are!

Let us introduce the Ocean Nutrition Fish Feeding Station. This device known as the 'feeding frenzy station' floats on the surface of your water and can be adhered to the side of the tank to keep it in place. All you do is place your favourite food in the feeding station and watch the fish eat away!

Why not try the Aquarian Colour Flake Food which will bring out the colour of your fish.

Tropica 1-2 Grow Aquarium Plants

2010-06-21T19:45:00.000+01:00

We can pretty much guarantee you have never seen anything like this before. The new style plants from Tropica which are guaranteed no algae, no snails and no pesticides. So how do they do it?

Tropica grow their plants in a special gel and this contains everything they need from a very early stage. The major benefit of these plants is that they do not need to be stored in water so from a retailers point of view, they are ideal (no deterioration) and from a consumers point of view, they arrive in perfect Tropica style condition.

We're currently stocking the entire range available from Tropica. If you're after stem plants, consider Tropica 1-2 Grow Alternanthera reineckii 'Purple' and if you're after a low growing foreground plant consider Tropica 1-2 Grow Glossostigma elatinoides.

For a limited time only we're offering these amazing plants at a discounted rate. Buy 2 or more and get a 10% discount at the check out by using the following code 1-2grow.

Why use an RO Unit in Aquariums?

2010-06-15T20:15:00.001+01:00

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Units are very useful pieces of equipment for hobbyists looking for complete control over the water they put into their tanks. Tap water contains lots of impurities and whilst this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it can cause problems for delicate fish like discus and marine tanks.

RO Units are simple to use and strip out impurities by water being passed through at least 2 filters. These filters remove the likes of nitrates, phosphates etc leaving your water in a pure form. This pure water then needs to be 'built up' and by that we means minerals need to be added back to the water to give it some stability. However you can use pure RO water for topping up tanks.

The new TMC RO units purify water at different rates - the smaller one's allow for 190L of water per 24 hours, and the largest up to 380L. The advanced systems also contain a TDS meter which monitors performance. You can view the range here.

Minerals for water of reverse osmosis and for soft tap water

2010-06-01T21:09:00.000+01:00

In a marine aquarium reverse osmosis water is used for topping up evaporated water. The only snag with RO water is that it removes everything from the water including valuable minerals.

With Tropic Marin Re-Mineral Marine the water of reverse osmosis gets back all its beneficial natural minerals and substances and at the same time the alkalinity is raised and stabilized.

Many remineralisers only add certain minerals back into the water (such as calcium) where as Tropic Marin Re-Mineral Marine adds everything that nature would expect in the sea in terms of trace elements.

See the range here.

Keeping your pond oxygenated in the summer

2010-05-20T21:23:00.001+01:00

As temperatures slowly rise and your koi become more active, oxygen levels drop. This means that your fish have to work harder to breath. Making sure you have good water surface movement is essential to maintain oxygen levels.

The Superfish Pond Air pumps make sure your oxygen levels in your pond remain consistent regardless of how warm it gets!

See the range here.

Nishikoi Pond Foos Sticks

2010-05-12T20:42:00.000+01:00

Nishikoi pond products are a well established brand which are recognised as a market leading in koi food. It only made sense that we expanded our range into this side of the market. We're listing 2 different types of their food at the moment, their Pond Sticks and Pond Cocktail.

Pond sticks are ideal for growth, immune system and are ideal for beginners as they are a good way to see how much fish can actually eay.

Pond Cocktail is a mix of flake and pellets which means if you have koi of different sizes, this food satisfies them all. It's also good for growth, fish immune system.

You can see them here.

Juwel Aquarium Spares

2010-05-05T21:18:00.000+01:00

Sometimes you just need some spares for your Juwel aquariums and we at Aqua Essentials have begun stocking them.

The most popular is the Juwel rubber socket which tends to break down over time. Without a well functioning rubber socket, the power head of your filter will wobble about and become noisy.

Find it here along with other Juwel spares.

Kong Dog Toys @ Aqua Essentials

2010-04-28T21:23:00.000+01:00

Kong dog toys have finally arrived at Aqua Essentials and it's the first of many new editions outside of our usual aquarium range.

Dogs are another passion of ours and it only makes sense to expand into other ranges that we are also passionate about. So why did we choose Kong? Kong is a brand known for reliability and their toys are tough - we all know how hard dogs can be on their toys and there is nothing more frustrating buying one, only 5 minutes later to find it ruined. You won't get this with a Kong.

We've a small range of Kong toys suitable for dogs of all sizes and strengths. Keep an eye out for the range as it will expand quickly. See what we have here.

Aquarium Plant Nutrients

2010-04-22T21:09:00.000+01:00

Do you aquarium plants sometimes not grow as you would like them to? Well maybe we just have the answer.

When you run a high tech planted tank and you're dosing what you consider all that you should be, but you're just not getting the results you expect, it may be that your plants need just a little bit extra.

AE Design Aqua Phos and Aqua Nitro provide a boost of macro nutrients when plants are showing signs of stunted growth and/or yellowing leaves.

You can see the bottles which are avilable in 250, 500 and 1000ml bottles.

Aqua Nitro
Aqua Phos

8 in 1 Shampoos

2010-04-19T20:26:00.000+01:00

Aqua Essentials continues to branch out into the pet market and the latest introduction into our shop is shampoo for dogs. The pet market, in particular the dog market continues to grow as the demand for high quality pet products prevails.

8 in 1 shampoos are a premier product that cover dogs with a variety of skin complaints or special fur conditions. For example Tea Tree, Pearl White, Herbal and Calming Oatmeal to name but a few. Each have their own special ingredients to get the very best out of your dogs.

You can view the range here.

Classica T8 Over Tank Luminaires

2010-04-14T21:51:00.000+01:00

These luminaires are seriously good value for money - they don't just look nice, they're easy on your budget.

Luminaires are a great way to add lighting to your aquarium. Quite often aquariums don't have the most attractive hoods or sufficient lighting and this is where the classica luminaires come into play. They're modern, stylish and streamline so perfect for the aquarium of today.

Available in 5 different sizes, they sit on the top of any aquarium very easily and come with the wonderful Classica Natural Daylights which have a delightful colour output.

You can see the range here.

Root Tabs in a planted aquarium

2010-04-08T20:29:00.000+01:00

While adding liquid fertilisers to your planted aquarium is essential for good healthy plant growth, so is adding root tabs to your aquarium.

Plants absorb nutrients through their leaves and their roots and this is particularly important with plants such as Echinodorus that are heavy root feeders. If you want to see really spectacular results the addition of root tabs will make the difference.

All root tabs are very easy to insert into the substrate, some are only the size of a one penny piece and you simply pop them into the root ball of your plant. Typically you should do this every 2 months or so, depending on how quickly your plants grow.

Root tabs are not a replacement for a complete substrate, but they certainly help.

Should I use a UV unit in my pond?

2010-04-05T20:11:00.000+01:00

The pond season has already begun and now is indeed the time to install, purchase or turn on your UV unit.

A UV unit is a simple device and absolutely essential for any pond user. The main purpose is to control green water which occurs when sunlight shines on a pond. Algae forms relatively quickly and green water, although harmless to koi will quickly fill the entire pond in a short period of time (can be 24 hours).

The way a UV unit works is by clumping green algae into large enough particles so that it becomes trapped in your filter. Your pea green water quickly becomes crystal clear. It's worth noting that a UV filter will not remove other types of algae from your water such as beard or black algae.

Installation is straight forward and it can be attached in line and preferably close to your filter. It needs electricty to function so bare that in mind too.

We sell a range of UV filters which can be found here.

How much to feed your goldfish?

2010-03-29T20:32:00.003+01:00

We get lots of questions of questions all of the time, and one of the more common one's is:

"How much do I feed my goldfish?"

The simple answer is feed enough for your fish to consume in a couple of minutes, and anything after that is over feeding. There is always the temptation to give your fish more but they just don't need it. Yes they may always look hungry but looks are deceiving.

"What sort of food should I feed my goldfish?"

A variety of foods such as flake and pellets are available on the market and it's important to provide your fish what they perfer. For example if your goldfish suffers from bloat by gulping at the surface, then it's recommended to feed sinking pellets - this will help avoid them gulping air which gets trapped in their bowls, causing them to float.

It's also important to feed your goldfish a high quality food - the more goodness it contains, the more their colours will come through. Feed them a low quality food and their standard of health deteriorates. For just a few pounds every 6 months you can feed a fantastic food for £3. The leading goldfish brand is Hikari and you will get wonderful results with any of their food.

Fluidised Sand Bed Filter

2010-03-22T19:45:00.001Z

Suitable for both freshwater and marine aquariums, these sand bed filters although traditional are effective at removing phosphate. Positioning of these filters is very flexible which means this is another added benefit of it. You can place them in your tank, outside your tank (like a hang on filter) or in your sump.

Planted aquariums which suffer from high levels of phosphate result in excess algae growth and these filters will make short work of any issues.

The largest of the 3 models can filter up to 1500L of water and the smallest is suitable for 600L.

View them here.

Hikari Wheat Germ Mini 500g

2010-03-17T21:30:00.000Z

It's getting to that time of year where koi are beginning to show some movement - the water is getting warmer so now is a good time to start feeding them a wheat germ based food. When water temperatures are low like now (sub 10 degrees), it's important that koi can pass the food they are eating easily.

Hikari Wheat Germ Mini is palatable and easily digested so it's absolutely perfect for March. Feed according to fish activity and probably only one a day until the weather warms up a little.

Seachem Gold Buffer

2010-03-12T20:42:00.001Z

We're now stocking this larger bottle of Gold buffer (1kg) and it's perfect for those with large tanks.

Maintaining the right water parameters for goldfish is paramount for their health and well being. Gold buffer does just what you would expect, it buffers your water between 7.2-7.8. Another major benefit of this buffer is that it's non phosphate so won't cause any algae problems.

Ammonia Alert

2010-03-08T20:18:00.001Z

Sometimes it's easier when you are alerted as to whether you have ammonia in your fish tank. In fact, the sooner you are alerted, the quicker you can rectify the situation and save your fish.

Ammonia is one of the biggest killers in tropical fish and it's caused by filters which are immature (i.e. it haven't fully cycled). Unless ammonia (which is toxic to fish) is removed from your water, it will kill your fish within 24-48 hours.

The seachem ammonia alert is a visual indication of your ammonia levels in your aquarium. The 2 new styles we have on offer are geared towards younger hobbyists (Barry Cuda & Ruby Barb) but they operate in the same manner as the more common style.

The colour changes if there is excess ammonia in your water, and if it changes, it's your cue to react, perform a water change, stop feeding and address why your ammonia levels have peaked.

See the permanent tests here.

Rotala Rotundifolia

2010-03-04T20:22:00.000Z

This stunning mid ground plant is now available. One of our favourite plants because of the shape of the leaves and how well it pearls when CO2 is injected.

This plant will cause few problems for any hobbyist. A nutritious substrate will only help improve growth.

You can view this plant here.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

2010-03-01T20:35:00.000Z

We've got some of the most exciting deals around at the moment and just knew you would love the great news.

We've opened a Buy 1 Get 1 Free category where you will find wonderful deals.

No tricks, just great deals.

See them here.

Caribsea Eco-Complete Cichlid Ivory Coast Sand - 20Ib

2010-02-22T19:57:00.000Z

Although a relatively established substrate for cichlids, this product is new to us.

This sand never needs rinsing so it saves you time.

It's mineralogically complete - you won't need to add buffers to the water ever again!

Biologically complete - this substrate will cycle your aquarium quicker.

See it here.

Aquafleur Echindorus Rubra

2010-02-18T21:02:00.000Z

This stunning plant arrived with us today and they are beauties! Strong green leaves with thick stems will make their transition into an underwater world very smooth.

Suitable for the mid ground this plant will grow to approximately 30cm in height.

See it here.

Pond Thermometer

2010-02-17T22:12:00.000Z

Ever wondered when it would be warm enough so you can start feeding your koi? Well now you can!

Aquafleur Pond Thermometer is simple, effective and viewable from above. Simply pop it into your pond and read the temperature - it's as easy as that.

You can view it here.

Seachem Purigen 2L

2010-02-16T20:04:00.000Z

Purigen has long been a popular media - it perform quite unique results:

Purigen controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds.

Not only that but it polishes your water like you've never seen before, almost like the water doesn't actually exist in your tank. It really is quite extraordinary.

Whilst we have always sold it in smaller sizes, now we have it avialable in the 2L version as a special order only.

You can see it here.

Hikari Sturgeon Mini 500g

2010-02-11T20:34:00.000Z

Did you know that sturgeons need feeding all year round? Even in the height of winter they still need to eat (unlike koi).

Sturgeons tend to resist new foods so you need to persevere in you are changing their diet. Always make sure you don't over feed and remove and uneaten food should it be left over.

The major benefit of 500g bags is that they are large enough to keep most sturgeons going for some time but not too bag so as they bag becomes stale.

You can see them here.

TMC Refillable CO2 Bottles

2010-02-11T20:27:00.000Z

We've just taken shipment of some very smart looking CO2 bottles from TMC. These bottles will be very in keeping with the modern hobbyists whose equipment is becoming more and more style conscious.

These bottles are refillable and will look great in your cabinet.

See them here.

More redmoor wood

2010-02-09T18:45:00.000Z

We've listed another 20 or so pieces of redmoor wood. As some of you may have seen in the last week PFK have shown a few tanks with this wonderful wood and as a result it's flavour of the month!

But hurry, they're going fast.

TMC Glassware

2010-02-08T21:09:00.000Z

Sometimes brands really hit the nail on the head when they launch a new product and TMC is no exception. A company better known for their marine products, they are now dipping their toe into freshwater aquariums but particularly those which are CO2 infused.

We're currently listing a range of their CO2 diffusers suitable from small to large tanks. Not only that but we also stock their bubble counters and non return valves.

See the range here.

More Redmoor Wood

2010-02-05T21:01:00.000Z

We've loaded up another dozen or so pieces of redmoor wood. It's really popular at the moment so if you see a piece you like, be quick as they aren't hanging around for long.

See the latest pieces here.

Deal of the Week

2010-02-04T19:32:00.001Z

We've got a terrific promotion on which you've just got to love. If you buy Ocean Nutrition Marine Pellets (this costs you £6.99) you get Ocean Nutrition Baby Brine Shrimp FREE!

This is an incredible deal considering the Baby Brine Shrimp costs £9.99.

We think this is a win win situation. Enjoy!!

See the deal here.

Redmoor Wood Mini

2010-02-02T19:17:00.000Z

We've added a huge selection of what we are calling Redmoor Wood Mini and they are perfect for small tanks and BiOrbs.

Very versatile as each piece has several sides to use to you'll always find one that suits you the most.

Make sure you give them a rinse before you pop them in your aquarium.

See them here.

Exo Terra Feeding Tongs

2010-02-01T19:37:00.000Z

These are superb tongs that on first glance look like they are just for feeding your exotic pets. However on closer inspection they are identical to all other tweesers so this means you can use them for your planted aquarium.

At roughly 10" long you'll find these tweesers a delight to us.

You can view them here.

2 more new plants

2010-01-28T19:52:00.000Z

Some more stunning plants have arrived from Aquafleur and as always the standard is high and the plants beautiful.

Echindorus Red Flame - a stunning plant with lovely red leaves. Perfect for beginner to experienced hobbyists.

Echindorus Chrileni - a midground plant with medium sized green leaves. Easy to grow and easy on the eye!

Anbias offer is back

2010-01-27T19:23:00.000Z

We're rolling this on for another week or so but these huge anubias are back on offer. 50% off the RRP for a huge and stunning plant.

These plants normally sell for £5 so it's a cracking deal.

See them here.

Classica Ocean Moon Light

2010-01-25T20:14:00.000Z

Ever wanted to watch your nocturnal fish at night? Well now you can...

We've taken on the Classica range of Ocean Moonlights which provide an ambient and relaxing blue light particularly suitable for night time viewing.

Suitable for coldwater, tropical and marine tanks, these lights are not only effective but are also economical to purchase.

You can view them here.

New Marine API products

2010-01-20T20:31:00.000Z

With API changing not only their image but also introducing a new range of products, we're delighted to announce what is now on offer.

API Eco Calcium Marine - Restores calcium essential for healthier, more colorful corals and reef invertebrates including snails, shrimp, crabs, clams, mollusks, as well as coralline algae.

API Eco Iodine Marine - The unique, slow release formula restores iodine levels depleted by protein skimming and natural aquarium processes.

API Eco Strontium Marine - A natural source of strontium which is derived from marine plant extracts.

API Natural Trace Marine - Replenishes the trace element balance in marine and reef aquariums.

Anubias Nana at 50% off

2010-01-18T19:20:00.000Z

What a wonderful deal we have for you at the moment. Aquafleur are growing the largest Anubias Nana's you've probably ever seen. They are literally growing out of their pots and we've never seen anything quite like it.

It gets better though...

Normal retail is £4.99 and we have them on sale at £2.49

We're calling this the deal of the week! Click here to see this wonderful plant.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

2010-01-11T19:57:00.000Z

We're delighted to announce that we are now selling this wonderful foreground plant by the pot. At £2.99 these delightful plant will look great in any planted aquarium.

The size of the leaves make it one of the smallest in the world and providing you give it plenty of CO2 and a quality fertiliser this plant will flourish.

You can see this plant here

New Plants

2010-01-07T19:25:00.001Z

We've just taken stock of some wonderful plants from Aquafleur. The quality is amazing and they plants are huge!

Echindorus Radicans

Echindorus Rose

Micromanthemum Umbrosum

These plants are suitable for beginners and up - they're easy to grow and develop into beautiful plants which we know you won't be disappointed in.

Snow

2010-01-06T22:00:00.000Z

Well the snow certainly arrived for us today - all 8" of it. We were the only business on our industrial estate as everyone else decided to stay home.

Even though our parcel collection was cancelled and our royal mail collection was also cancelled we decided to take the packages to our sorting office instead.

There's dedication :)

2010

2010-01-01T16:59:00.000Z

Happy New Year Everyone!!

We're very much looking forward to 2010 as we have lots planned (as usual!). New ranges of products and also branching out into other areas that we haven't moved into yet.

We would also like to thank everyone who supported us over the last year and look forward to provide the same high standards this year.

nanoreefblog.com

2009-12-30T13:49:00.003Z

One of our customers kindly sent us a link to a rather neat blog which we thought some may be interested in:

www.nanoreefblog.com

Looks good! Enjoy.

Brown Algae

2009-12-28T22:38:00.000Z

We're often trouble shooting for people with algae worries so thought a quick summary of one we were recently asked about, Brown Algae.

It's normally found within new aquariums where filters are not mature and ammonia is found (NH4). Its easily removed with a cloth (but don't rub it too hard). There are some algae eaters that enjoy grazing on it such as Otocinclus.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T09:47:00.002Z

We hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and didn't eat and drink too much. Aqua Essentials was busier than expected yesterday with a flurry of sales making the most of the 10% sale.

With Boxing Day one of the busiest shopping days for retail shops, we hope everyone has a successful day.

Christmas Sale

2009-12-24T18:08:00.002Z

As it's Christmas time, we thought it was time to be a little festive. We want to thank all of our customers for their support and we're having a 10% sale but only until 31st December.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

Aqua Nourish Set

2009-12-23T10:50:00.004Z

We've got 3 of the best fertilisers that we manufacture and we've bundled them together. Not only that but we're also selling them at 35% off the RRP when you buy the set - a seriously good deal.

So what's so good about the fertilisers? We're more than aware of the competition and we've never been a 'Me Too' business so we don't sell bog standard goods either. Aqua Nourish and Nourish+ are fertilisers designed to be dosed daily. It's easy to forget about when to dose your fertilisers but we figured if you feed your fish daily, then you can add your ferts at the same time. Not only that but a steady flow of ferts is better for your plants than a weekly dose that depletes over time. The combination provides your plants with everything that they need so once you have these you can relax. A high calibre formulation of ingredients is paramount and this is what these bottles provide. A 500ml bottle will last a 20G tank 100 days so from a cost point of view it's extremely economical (that's 4pence per bottle per day).

Aqua Carbon is a liquid carbon source that doubles up as an algaecide. This product has become enormously popular in the last year or so and the results speak for themselves.

Why don't you give it a try and see what it's all about by clicking here.

What Postal Strike...?

2009-10-28T20:13:00.001Z

Royal Mail have decided to strike again causing huge disruption to thousands of small businesses throughout the UK. However, we at Aqua Essentials will not be effected!!

As long as you opt for either Track & Trace or Express Delivery at the check out, your mail will arrive on time.

We think this is great news for all.

Lots more new products

2009-09-09T21:47:00.002+01:00

Well we've been having lots of new products recently from fish food to reptile products.

Aqua Essentials continually evolves so that we bring you the very latest and most exciting products and lines available.

Some of the new products we have had are:

ETI - a major player in electrical testing products which monitor ph, light intensity, salt and water softness. All digital, all reliable. See them here.

Complete Coldwater Aquariums - a range of excellent aquariums that are complete making them ideal for anyone wishing to take their first steps into a coldwater aquarium. They also make perfect presents and you can view them here.

Sumatra Wood - we have taken more pictures of this wonderful wood so you can choose the exact piece you want. A great price too. See here for more info.

Naturesoil - we now have the brown Naturesoil in which has been in high demand. Naturesoil is the ultimate soil for growing aquarium plants and it also sets the perfect water parameters. We wouldn't use anything else. See it here.

New Aquariums

2009-08-26T14:03:00.004+01:00

We've just launched a whole new range of aquariums designed for children and young people. Their bright and stylish designs make them very eye catching.

Ideal birthday and Christmas presents we're sure children will love them.

View the range here.

JBL CO2 systems

2009-08-21T21:05:00.002+01:00

We are now listing all of the JBL CO2 systems. This means that no matter what your budget we have a system to suit. Some of them are for disposable bottles systems and others for refillable bottles.

You can view them here

Redmoor Wood

2009-08-17T20:09:00.001+01:00

We've had a stack load of redmoor wood delivered and we've put a bunch of it on the site. There's plenty of nano pieces, small, medium and large so no matter what size your tank who have some beautiful pieces available.

Redmoor wood is also perfect for vivariums.

Click here for the new stock.

Unipac Gravels

2009-08-10T19:28:00.005+01:00

We've taken close up pictures of all the Unipac gravels which we now stock. This is an improvement over what was available and its been a great success already.

We have also added a large number of reptile products to our inventory and have a super selection for anyone who keeps an exotic pet.

Unipac new gravels

Sumatra Driftwood Individual Pieces

2009-08-10T19:27:00.002+01:00

We've now taken pictures of Sumatra driftwood so that means you get the actual piece you want. We're still selling the pieces in which you don't see what you're buying but we know how some people like a certain piece.

Enjoy.

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=414_11_238_349

Juwel Aquariums

2009-08-10T19:25:00.003+01:00

We have now listed all teh high light Juwel aquariums. This means that you can now purchase any one of the entire range at the click of a button. Our deliveries of these aquariums and cabinets arrive every Wednesday and they are a collection only product.

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=414_193_433

TMC Aqua Gro CO2 System

2009-08-10T19:22:00.002+01:00

We're delighted to announce the arrival of the TMC Aqua Gro CO2 system. Designed for a wide range of skills from beginners to experienced. The set comes complete with everything you need to get you going into the world of pressurised CO2.

Replacement bottles are also available at £6.99 each.

See here for more details http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=tmc+aqua+gro&x=0&y=0

New Postage Rates

2009-07-27T15:07:00.002+01:00

We're delighted to be announcing that we are reducing our minimum postage cost from £4.95 to £3.95. This means that we're one of the cheapest shops for postage now and not only that we still deliver the quickest.

Enjoy.

Exo Terra Vivariums

2009-07-15T21:22:00.001+01:00

We're now listing Exo Terra vivariums on our website. Due to their fragile nature we cannot send these in the post so we are encouraging customers to buy online and collect from our warehouse.

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=394_430

5 Piece Tool Set

2009-07-07T19:38:00.002+01:00

We've taken stock of some excellent tool sets. It comes with 5 tools in total which are all 11" in length:

Straight Scissors
Curved Scissors
Straight Tweesers
Curved Tweesers
Spatula

All for £39.99 and what's more is that they come with a zip case so you can keep them all neat and tidy. One of our best products of the year without any doubt.

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1586

Ponds and more...

2009-06-26T10:17:00.002+01:00

We are now stocking pond equipment. This has come from our market research in which our customer wanted us to stock a wider range of products and koi was top of their list.

Amongst equipment we are also stocking water conditioners, medication, food and the koi themselves. However, koi will only be available for collection only.

See our range here

http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=393

Reptiles

2009-06-26T10:14:00.004+01:00

We're delighted to announce that Reptile products are now part of our inventory.

The reptile market (or exotic pet) is one of the fastest growing markets within the pet category. They have overtaken tropicals and are soon catching marines which is quite phenomenal. This can only be put down to wonderfully designed products, excellent packaging and the desire for people to own pets which they can handle.

You can see our reptile range by following this link http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=394

More Aquafleur Plants

2009-05-08T14:42:00.003+01:00

We've been increasing our range of Aquafleur plants all the time and in fact it's every week that new one's arrive. What's so great about them is the quality is superb but not only that the price is very good too.

In the economic climate we live in today, there's nothing better than feeling like you're getting a good deal and we believe Aquafluer really fulfil that role. Healthy affordable plants are what will keep this wonderful hobby ticking over nicely.

Aquafleur plants

2009-04-03T20:48:00.002+01:00

Aquafleur - the aquarium plant growers in from the Netherlands are becoming a hit with Aqua Essentials. Considerably cheaper than other brands their choice is broad and the standard is high. We look forward to expanding our range with these wonderful plants.

More Marine Products

2009-04-03T20:44:00.003+01:00

Well they keep coming!! Aqua Essentials continues to increase our stock range and we have even a wider range of marine products. From salts to food to hydrometers we're bringing you the most popular products to allow you to keep your marine tanks in the very best condition.

Seachem Aquavitro

2009-03-18T20:48:00.002Z

Aqua Essentials have been trading for 5 years and we have always focused on planted aquariums but we have to move with the times. We're delighted and excited to announce that we are now stocking marine products - we've started with Seachem as it's a wonderful brand that has never disappointed, but in particular Seachem Aquavitro.

Aquavitro is a line of goods that aim to offer high end users a choice and is in no way replacing Seachem's Reef line of goods. This means that Seachem now offer two fantastic lines for reef enthusiasts.

We'll be expanding our reef range rapidly and look forward to dealing with a new type of customer.

You can view the new range here http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=347_348&zenid=cjitscj8k2bd3sbg8nf0r68bl5

BiOrbs Are Here

2009-03-14T10:01:00.004Z

Well we've finally got round to stocking biOrbs (about time too I hear you cry!). Most of you are probably more than aware of biOrbs and today they're making a bigger impact than most people believe. As people are so busy these days there has been a definite pattern with customers purchasing smaller tanks as they don't have or don't want to spend hours every week maintaining their tank.

biOrbs really come into their own because not only are they relatively small (largest of 60L), they're ever so easy to maintain. Due to their unique filtration which keeps the water super clean, their size also enables quick and easy water changes. Some of the new models come with LED lighting which means there are cool options for lighting at night making the tank look as if moonlight is shining in.

Other major benefits are the wide range of accessories and maintenance tools which keep your tank running smoothly as possible. So now Aqua Essentials stock them all :)

2008-12-21T16:52:00.005Z

Tropica Plants

2008-11-22T18:07:00.002Z

We've now got the entire range of Tropica Plants on our site. This means that there is not one plant that we cannot get hold of. Although there are some which have a minimum order of 5 plants, this will be reduced shortly as our capability to store more plants expands. Watch this space!

JBL Silicate Test Set SiO2

2008-11-22T18:03:00.002Z

JBL have launched a new product which tests for Silicate. It identifies the cause of diatoms which grow when levels of silicic acid (silicates) increase.

It costs £12.99 is available here

Aquafim

2008-11-11T20:37:00.003Z

Aquafim is a new product in the UK and they are convenient form of fertilising for those with busy lives. Aquafim substrate is non-soluble and does not release unwanted substances into the water. Once in use, controlled quantities of fertiliser are released day after day from the material between the water change intervals. Thanks to the constant release there are no “concentration peaks” and no over-fertilisation, which has a positive effect on plant and animal life.

Available in 4 different sizes for various size tanks.

New Site

2008-09-28T19:35:00.000+01:00

It's been a long time coming but we have a new site! We've worked hard after listening what our customers actually wanted from an eCommerce site and we're pretty happy with the result. There's the option of taking a survey, where we deliver (worldwide), cool graphics and generally more interactive.

We hope you like it :)

UP Aquarium Products

2008-08-23T23:12:00.002+01:00

We're delighted to announce that we're stocking a really great range of new products previously not seen in the UK before. It's a brand called UP and their products are very well priced. There's tweesers, scissors, diffusers, bubble counter and check valve, Red Bee GH Builder, Red Bee Shrimp Food.

Check them out - I think you'll like them

Cal Aqua UK Distributor

2008-08-12T21:58:00.003+01:00

Aqua Essentials are now the UK distributor for all Cal Aqua products. Currently their range consists of Lily Pipes, Inline Reactors and Drop Checkers. Any shops interested in their products can email info@aquaessentials.co.uk. In the meantime we hope to be approaching as many shops as possible to raise brand awareness.

Cal Aqua 17mm Inline Diffuser

2008-08-12T21:51:00.003+01:00

We're delighted to announce that we are now stocking the new Cal Aqua 17mm inline reactor. We've had the 13mm in stock for some time and it's proved to be a popular product. So a bit of encouragement to Cal Aqua and they have brought out the bigger version.

Ferplast back in

2008-07-23T22:02:00.002+01:00

We've just had a shipment of Ferplast goods and are now stocking some of their new lines.

Ferplast large, medium and small rocks - ideal for aquascaping

Ferplast 3 & 5 way valves - these are ideal for controlling multiple airlines (useful in shrimp tanks)

Ferplast Glass Thermometer - ideal for accurate measurement of temperature (up to 0.5 degrees)

Ferplast Bluballs - perfect for adding to large internal filters or external filters for increasing bacterial colonisation thus improving water quality.

Ebita Breed

2008-07-21T21:04:00.004+01:00

Ebita Breed is a new product in the UK but is well established in Asia and is commonly used with crystal red shrimp breeders. 2 types are currently available

Quatro - vegetarian product

Hinomaru Bento - contains Phospholipid (essential constituent for ovarian maturation and is known as the energy to utilize for growth induction and molting).

We're rather impressed with the CRS reaction to the food and we're also the distributors of this product.

ADA Do!Aqua Products

2008-07-21T20:53:00.003+01:00

We've got a whole stack of new ADA Do!Aqua products in stock and these products are rather rare - normally only available In Japan. We have scissors (small and medium), tweesers (all sizes), bubble counters, diffusers. The quality is superb and we're sure you'll absolutely love them

More Cichlid products

2008-07-08T21:57:00.003+01:00

We're continuing to expand our cichlid range of products. We've got more Seachem products that help create the ideal water conditions for all Cichlids - in fact it's pretty much their entire range. We've also got a range of Hikari cichlid foods and Ocean Nutrition pellets and flakes to satisfy the fussiest pallet.

We've decided to stock Tropical Fish Magazine for a few months to test the water and see what you guys think if it. It's an interesting mag - not quite up to the same standard as PFK in terms of photograhy but many of the articles are well written and informative. Check it out here.

Nerite Snails

2008-06-30T21:33:00.003+01:00

After a very long wait we now have nerite snails back in. One of the best algae eaters around they will eat all day long and consume huge amounts of algae. They don't harm plants either and nor do they reproduce in freshwater so you will never be over populated with them.

We have 3 different types available: Porcupine Nerite, Ruby Nerite, & Zebra Nerite Snails.

Seachem Cichlid Range

2008-06-21T17:44:00.003+01:00

Yep we're now stocking the Cichlid range of liquid conditioners from Seachem. I've been asked quite often if I would ever consider stocking their range and up until now decided not to. But things change and I'm always keen to provide customers with what they want without straying too much from what Aqua Essentials is all about (and no we won't ever do marines!!)

The Seachem Cichild range is pretty diverse and will be expanded shortly. The conditioners are perfect for Central & Southern American Cichilds to get the tank water just how they like it. We also offer trace mixes for them too making sure you keep them in tip top conditions.

Have a look here when you get the chance

Tropica Bulbs

2008-06-17T21:13:00.004+01:00

Now don't let me lead you down the wrong path - we're not talking about about light tubes...it's plants or bulb plants in particular! Tropica have a small range of rather lovely bulbs that are now available to purchase on our site. Really they're only for big tanks due to the size they grow - Tropica call them 'solitary plants'. All bulbs are special orders but if you order by Sunday, we would expect them to arrive with us by Wednesday and that applies all year round.

Mosura CRS Specialty Food

2008-06-16T20:25:00.004+01:00

CRS can be fussy shrimp to feed and we've tried all sorts at Aqua Essentials. Everyone knows how important good health is to shrimp particularly if you're looking to breed them and improve the present strains. Commercially we sell A Grade but 'in the back room' we have SS that are doing ok, but reproducing rather slowly.
So now we're got Mosura CRS Speciality Shrimp Food and they do seem rather partial to it. In a short space of time, they rush towards the green 'flakes' and then squabble over who gets what. We've only been feeding them it for 10 days now so we don't know if it will help reproduction but time will tell. One thing I can say for sure is how much they love it. So far it's definitely their favourite food.

I would be very interested to hear what other people feed their CRS and how their breeding schemes are going. We are also distributors for this product and if anyone is interested in selling them from a retail perspective, drop us an email.

Fluval Externals

2008-06-12T22:27:00.006+01:00

The wonderful Fluval 105, 205, 305 & 405 external filters are now in stock with us. Stylish design backed up by solid engineering, these filters are now big players in the 'External Filter World'. The modular design allows for quick and easy maintenance while flexible filter media chambers permit maximum versatility for basic to custom filter media configurations.

Fluval 05 external canister filters offer quick, trouble-free maintenance features. These include instant priming, lift-lock clamps that provide easy access to the unit and an Aqua-Stop feature that stops the water flow without the need to disconnect hoses. Backed by a 3-year guarantee.

We're also carrying their range of media which help remove excess nitrates & phosphates and we're also stocking their carbon to help polish your water. We don't advise that you leave carbon in your filter for too long as it will strip your aquarium of trace elements required for plant growth.

Arcadia J5 Tubes

2008-06-02T20:19:00.003+01:00

We now have the Juwel J5 tubes in stock - they are T5s but designed specifically for the new Juwel tanks which use the powerful T5 tubes. The J5 Plant Pro lamps use the same phosphors as the current T5 Plant Pro, providing superior plant growth, while enhanching the colours of fish and plants.

2008-05-30T20:40:00.004+01:00

Today we also received our long awaited Cal Aqua drop checker - a unique design with two drop checkers in one. The top one actually changes colour according to the C02 content in your aquarium and the bottom one contains a liquid that remains green and is the target colour. You adjust your C02 levels accordingly.

2008-05-30T20:36:00.002+01:00

Finally the new Tropica plants have arrived and they are corkers. Sadly we didn't get as many as we hoped for but this is understandable due to the fact they're new plants and everyone wants them!

2008-05-25T22:42:00.001+01:00

With the new Tropica plants that have recently become available, we're excited to announce that they are due in stock with us on the 28th May 2008. Watch our site after 2pm to see them live on the site.

2008-05-25T10:52:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the new Aqua Essentials blog. We're hoping this will allow us to connect with our customers a little more and improve overall service. We also welcome anyone to post their thoughts & ideas.