7 Tips On Freshwater Aquarium Substrate

The subject of freshwater aquarium substrate is often overlooked during the setting up of a fresh water aquarium. If the wrong choices are made then the effects can be devastating for the whole environment, including the fish. This article identifies 7 tips to ensure things will not go wrong.

Sometimes not enough attention is paid to the use of freshwater aquarium substrate in the aquarium set up process. It is more crucial than many folk realize. Here are just 7 tips pointing out what could go wrong if certain advice is not taken.

1. Always wash your freshwater aquarium substrate thoroughly with hot water before you use it in your aquarium.And ensure that the tank itself has been thoroughly sterilized too.Beneficial bacteria need to develop and thrive in the substrate ensuring the fish have a healthy environment and the nitrogen cycling process is facilitated.

2. For realism always slope your substrate from back to front and make it irregular as it would be in the natural habitat. Consider a combination of rocks, pots (to act as caves/shelter) and other decorations plus a range of different sized plants to complete the realism.

3. Limestone in your gravel can cause your water to harden and the pH to rise. This could be detrimental to the health of those fish species who prefer soft water and lower ph. To check that there is none, add a few drops of vinegar to a piece of gravel and if it fizzes then there is limestone in it.

4. If your fish like to dig into the substrate, do not use large particle size gravel. This would be unfair to them. If you have bottom dwellers then do not use sharp, rough edged gravel pieces. They can get injured. Find out about their behavior before you buy them.

5. Never place rocks on top of your substrate. Always bed them into the bottom of the tank and fill around it. This is more secure, especially if you have other rocks and decorations on top of them. And it may stop your fish from being crushed.

6. If an undergravel filter is to be used make sure you have at least 6 to 8 cms of depth to your substrate. Remember that if you are using sand then the undergravel filter will need more maintenance attention than normal. It will clog up more frequently.

7. When filling your tank, first of all place a piece of brown paper over the gravel substrate. Place a cup in the middle and start to fill the cup so that it gently overflows onto the paper. Continue filling until it is safe to remove the cup and the fill completes. Remove the brown paper carefully. This method stops you disturbing the substrate layer.

So now you have been given 7 tips regarding freshwater aquarium substrate. Take note of the advice given, carry these out actions and you will have removed several potential problems you may have otherwise had.

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