Practical Fishkeeping Spring 2016

The Spring issue of Practical Fishkeeping magazine comes with a FREE 24-page pull-out pond guide. Plus new cichlids and plants to buy in the shops, tiny Boraras for your nano tank, L-numbers in their natural habitat, colourful crayfish, a novel new approach to reefkeeping and much more...

Our fish of the month are the tiny Boraras. Peaceful, colourful and with easily met demands, it’s amazing that these aren’t the most popular nano fish on the planet.

Discover three truly gorgeous cichlids and two new plants you can expect to see gracing the tanks of specialist stores right now.
We explain how to keep and breed it the beautiful Beckford’s pencilfish and meet an aquarist who travels the world and builds tanks based on where he’s been. Meanwhile, we take you on a trip to the Xingu — home to many of the most popular L-number plecs.
Many people consider crayfish as something for their plate, but we explain why these characterful crustaceans make highly interesting pets.
Tank looking a bit tired? Freshen up your aquarium with some simple maintenance and you’ll soon regain its ‘wow’ factor. Follow our spring cleaning guide or, if your planted set-up is looking tired or overgrown, it could be time to consider a re-scape. We show you how to go about it.
Can less decor lead to more impact? Nathan Hill thinks so, and he’s determined to make the point by holding back on his own set-up. You can see how he gets on in the latest issue of PFK.
Build a wet and dry filter for your freshwater aquarium for under £12 in our step by step guide.

We look at a novel technique in reefkeeping that's changing the way we look at tank maintenance. But how does the Triton method work? Plus a spotlight on detritus eaters for the marine aquarium and a reader's reef set-up.
We compare 20 pH test kits with prices from £5.99 to over £300, review some of the latest new gear on the market and visit shops in Southampton and Cambridgeshire.
And in the centre of the magazine you can find your free 24-page guide to building, stocking and maintaining your garden pond.
All this and much more in the Spring 2016 issue of PFK.