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The Journal

The Journal

Field notes from YoloLife: species we keep, tanks we build, and the routines that keep them healthy.

A planted rainforest terrarium with front ventilation, mesh top and clean layered substrate
How-To2026.076 min read

Rainforest Terrarium Setup: Humidity, Ventilation, UVB and Substrate

A rainforest terrarium is not a wet glass box. Humidity without airflow is how respiratory infections start. Here are the target numbers for humidity, ventilation, UVB and substrate...

An accessible aquarium cabinet with sump, biological media and canister filtration
Beginner2026.076 min read

Aquarium Filtration Basics: Flow, Media and Cleaning Without Crashing Your Cycle

A filter does three jobs, not one. Here are the turnover numbers that actually work, the order media should sit in, and the cleaning rule that stops people...

A Dubai home aquarium set up for temperature checks and top-off maintenance
Beginner2026.076 min read

Aquarium Maintenance in Dubai: Heat, Evaporation and a Weekly Rhythm That Works

In Dubai the room is part of the aquarium. Summer heat, air-conditioning cycles, desalinated tap water and rapid evaporation all change the maintenance plan. Here is what actually...

A planted aquascape with CO2 diffuser and balanced LED lighting
How-To2026.075 min read

Planted Tank Lighting and CO2: How to Get Growth Without Algae

Algae is not caused by light. It is caused by light that outruns carbon and nutrients. Here are the photoperiod, CO2 and dosing numbers that keep the three...

A healthy arowana swimming in a long covered aquarium
Advanced2026.075 min read

Arowana Care Guide: Tank Size, Water Parameters, Diet and Tank Mates

An arowana is a 60-120 cm surface predator that lives 15-20 years and jumps hard enough to kill itself. The tank, the lid and the diet have to...

A newly planted aquarium with test kit and notebook before livestock is added
Beginner2026.078 min read

How to Cycle a New Aquarium: The First 30 Days, Day by Day

A new tank is ready for fish when ammonia and nitrite both read 0 ppm within 24 hours of a 2 ppm ammonia dose. Here is the day-by-day...