🐟 BuildToDoGood Aquarium

Aquarium calculators and reviews that don't try to sell you a $400 sump if you just want a healthy 20-gallon community tank.

Most aquarium content online is one of two things. Either it's beginner-trap "best fish for beginners" lists pushing fish that aren't actually beginner-friendly (looking at you, mollies). Or it's reef-tank gear porn priced for people who already have $3000 to spend on a hobby. Neither helps the person setting up their first real tank.

The tools here are for the second tank. The one where you stopped killing fish and started actually understanding water chemistry. Stocking calculators that account for adult size, not store size. Heater wattage for your room temperature. Dosing math for the planted tank you're starting. Water-change schedules tied to actual nitrate loads, not "10% weekly because the internet said so."

Tools

Tank Volume Calculator Real volume with substrate, rocks, hardscape, and water line subtracted. The number that actually matters for dosing. Heater Wattage Calculator soon 5 watts per gallon is wrong. Calculate based on tank volume, target temp, and ambient room temp. Freshwater Stocking Calculator soon Adult-size based, with schooling minimums, temperament conflict checks, and territory math for cichlids. CO2 Bubble Rate Calculator soon Target bubble rate by tank volume, light level, and plant load. With pH/KH-derived CO2 PPM lookup.

Honest reviews coming

First review: heater testing. Eheim Jager vs. Fluval E vs. Cobalt Neotherm vs. an unbranded $20 Amazon model. Running each in identical 20-gallon test tanks with logged temperature readings for 30 days. Honest results, including which one died first.

Plain note about money: Some links are affiliate links (eBay Partner Network mostly). Small commission if you buy. Your price doesn't change. The reviews are based on actually running the equipment, not on what came in a PR kit.