Desktop help
Checker help
Watch how to use the TankFlare checker.
Choose the walkthrough for your screen size, then open the checker when you are ready to enter your tank setup and fish plan.
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Mobile walkthrough
Methodology
How the Checker Works
Cycle status
Uncycled tanks get a hard warning because new filters do not yet have enough beneficial bacteria to process fish waste. Cycling means building that bacteria colony so ammonia can be converted into nitrite, then nitrate.
Tank size
TankFlare compares your tank volume with each species' minimum tank requirement. Overstocking is risky for beginners because waste builds faster, aggression is harder to manage, and small mistakes can become serious quickly.
Filter flow
Turnover rate is calculated as filter gallons per hour divided by tank gallons. Around 8-10x turnover is a strong general target, with gentler flow preferred for slow-water species and stronger flow for river species.
Bioload
Bioload estimates the waste pressure from your plan using species bioload score times quantity. The capacity bar shows green at 0-65%, amber at 66-85%, and red at 86% or higher.
Compatibility
The checker compares temperament, size ratios, fin-nipping tendency, territorial behavior, schooling needs, and special care tags between species. It flags combinations where one fish may stress, injure, outcompete, or be eaten by another.
Risk levels
Recommended means the plan looks reasonable from the entered details. Risky means it may need changes, experience, or close monitoring. Not Recommended means TankFlare sees a strong reason to rethink the plan before buying fish.
Species matching
How the Species Finder Works
The finder ranks species across five scoring dimensions, then translates the result into plain labels that are easier to act on.
Tank size
Species score higher when their minimum tank size fits comfortably inside your tank rather than barely meeting the limit.
Water parameters
Temperature and pH are compared directly, while optional GH and KH score neutrally if you leave them blank so missing test results do not unfairly punish a species.
Care comfort
Beginner, moderate, and advanced comfort settings influence whether more delicate species are promoted or pushed down the results.
Stocking goal
Community, centerpiece, schooling, cleanup, and shrimp-friendly goals help the finder favor species that match the role you want in the tank.
Cycle status
Cycled tanks can show a wider set of options. Uncycled or uncertain tanks push sensitive species down and may label matches as wait-until-cycled choices.
Good match
The species fits the entered tank size, water, and care goal with no major beginner warning.
Possible with care
The species may work, but one or more inputs are close to the edge or need extra attention.
Wait until cycled
The species should not be an early addition while the tank is still biologically unstable.
AI guidance
What the Tank Advisor Can Help With
Good uses
Troubleshooting confusing tank symptoms, water chemistry questions, setup advice, cycling guidance, compatibility thinking, and general fish health context.
Not good for
Specific medication doses, emergency diagnosis, brand-specific treatment plans, saltwater aquarium questions, or replacing a qualified specialist.
Safety note
Every Advisor answer ends with a reminder that it is AI-generated and should be cross-checked with a specialist for health, disease, medication, or urgent livestock concerns.
Reference
Glossary
Bioload
The amount of waste pressure fish and invertebrates add to a tank.
Nitrogen Cycle
The bacteria-driven process that turns toxic ammonia into nitrite, then less-toxic nitrate.
Cycling
Establishing beneficial bacteria before fully stocking a tank.
Ammonia
A highly toxic waste compound from fish waste, leftover food, and decay.
Nitrite
A toxic middle step in the nitrogen cycle that can harm fish blood oxygen transport.
Nitrate
The final common nitrogen product, managed with plants, water changes, and maintenance.
GH (General Hardness)
A measure of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.
KH (Carbonate Hardness)
A measure of buffering capacity that helps stabilize pH.
pH
How acidic or alkaline the water is.
Turnover Rate
How many tank volumes your filter is rated to move per hour.
GPH
Gallons per hour, the usual rating printed on aquarium filters.
Schooling Fish
Fish that need a group of their own kind to feel secure and behave normally.
Centerpiece Fish
A larger or more visually dominant fish planned as the main focus of the tank.
Temperament
How peaceful, assertive, territorial, or aggressive a species tends to be.
Beginner Care
Hardier species with forgiving care needs and common foods.
Moderate Care
Species that need more stable water, more careful feeding, or more planning.
Advanced Care
Sensitive, specialized, or high-risk species best kept by experienced fishkeepers.