Mark Valderrama

Mark is the founder of Aquarium Store Depot. He started in the aquarium hobby at the age of 11 and along the way worked at local fish stores. He has kept freshwater tanks, ponds, and reef tanks for over 25 years. His site was created to share his knowledge and unique teaching style on a larger scale. He has worked on making aquarium and pond keeping approachable. Mark has been featured in two books about aquarium keeping - both best sellers on Amazon. Each year, he continues to help his readers and clients with knowledge, professional builds, and troubleshooting. He maintains the content of this site with a strong Editorial Process and provides a practical and real-life review process on all products reviewed and tested.

Honest Blogging about Aquarium Keeping.

How to Care For A Pet Seahorse: Essential Tips for a Thriving Aquarium

by Mark Valderrama

Creating a captivating pet seahorse aquarium in your home requires knowledge and commitment. If you have the right information about caring for these fascinating creatures, then they can become an amazing centerpiece of any room! For starters, it’s important to select healthy and well-suited seahorses that are tailored to thrive in an aquarium environment. You must also ensure ideal water conditions so that their unique behaviors will be seen at its best. With dedication and effort put into taking care of them, there’s no doubt your pet seahorses will blossom with life!

View full article →

Top 10 Types Of Fish Tanks You Can Keep (And What Aquariums You Can Buy)

by Mark Valderrama

Are you setting up a new aquarium? If so, this guide is just for you! Relax, get comfortable, and read along to learn about 10 popular types of fish tanks you can set up and some important information about the different sizes, shapes, and materials to choose from.

View full article →

How Big Do Betta Fish Get (And How Fast Do They Grow)

by Mark Valderrama

In the aquarium hobby, betta fish is as old as the hills. And no wonder people love it so much that they always keep at least one in their aquarium. Out of many fascinating reasons why betta fish became so popular; one is their amazing size!

View full article →

Betta Fish Water – Which Is Best (And How To Treat It)

by Mark Valderrama

Most people know that fish can’t live without water, but not many know why. Out of water, a fish is unable to breathe and slowly suffocates. However, fish can also die if kept in water that isn’t suitable for them long-term.

View full article →

How To Acclimate Betta Fish (2 Methods Explained)

by Mark Valderrama

Are you planning on adding a new betta fish to your tank? Acclimating your new pet properly is very important to make the process as comfortable as possible and prevent unwanted problems like spreading diseases or introducing pests to your aquarium.

View full article →

The 5 Best Betta Fish Toys (And Other Alternatives)

by Mark Valderrama

While this sounds good as a practice, the thing is that a betta needs more than water and a container. This is where Betta Fish Toys can come into play. These toys can be used to provide some entertainment and enrichment for your fish. However, what’s the Best Betta Fish Toys available?

View full article →

Do Betta Fish Need a Filter? (They Don’t – And Here’s Why)

by Mark Valderrama

I get this email or message a lot through my email or YouTube channel. Hobbyists, usually brand new, often tell me about their betta fish and their issues. Often, it stems from poor conditions or a question that all centers around the topic of this blog post.

Do Betta Fish Need A Filter?

View full article →

Is My Betta Fish Dying? (5 Signs)

by Mark Valderrama

It’s never easy losing a pet, but having a fish die after a very short period of time has unfortunately become normalized. The truth is that most species of fish in the aquarium hobby can live for years on end given proper conditions. When those conditions aren’t met, hobbyists end up with a tank full of dead fish. Betta fish husbandry is no different.

View full article →

Types Of Aquarium Moss – 15 Great Choices For Your Tank

by Mark Valderrama

Have you ever considered growing moss in your fish tank or aquarium? These lush aquatic plants look amazing in an aquascape and provide a number of benefits to the health of your tank. Oh, and they’re also great fun to grow!

View full article →

A Comprehensive Guide to Crystal Red Shrimp Care and Breeding

by Mark Valderrama

Ready to explore a magical world? Let’s journey into the realm of Crystal Red Shrimp, these incredibly vibrant freshwater invertebrates that are sure to fascinate aquarists. We’ll uncover their unique history, amazing colors and learn how best to care for them so they can thrive in captivity! Get ready. Let us begin!

View full article →

Betta Fish Tumor: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

by Mark Valderrama

For betta fish owners, taking good care of their lively and colorful pet is a responsibility that brings joy. One of the scariest experiences I have come across as a Betta Fish owner is seeing my elderly Betta with a white growth on their body.

View full article →

750+ Goldfish Names (Unique Ideals For your Fish)

by Mark Valderrama

Picking a name for your pet can be challenging, and for a goldfish, even more so. It’s hard to get to know your pet’s personality over the first few days of having them, but understanding a fish’s personality might take years! So, how can you pick the right name for your goldfish when they’re a complete stranger?

View full article →