| The topic of freshwater aquarium substrate is often | | | | 4. If your fish like to dig into the substrate, do not |
| neglected by many who don't realize how important | | | | use large particle size gravel. This would be unfair to |
| it is in a freshwater aquarium set up. Seven pieces of | | | | them. If you have bottom dwellers then do not use |
| advice are given in this article to help ensure nothing | | | | sharp, rough edged gravel pieces. They can get |
| goes awry for you. | | | | injured. Find out about their behavior before you buy |
| Quite often the question of freshwater aquarium | | | | them. |
| substrate is not given enough attention when a new | | | | 5. Never place rocks on top of your substrate. |
| aquarium is being set up. It is more crucial than many | | | | Always bed them into the bottom of the tank and fill |
| folk realize. Here are just 7 tips pointing out what | | | | around it. This is more secure, especially if you have |
| could go wrong if certain advice is not taken. | | | | other rocks and decorations on top of them. And it |
| 1. Always wash your freshwater aquarium substrate | | | | may stop your fish from being crushed. |
| thoroughly with hot water before you use it in your | | | | 6. To take into account an under gravel filter you will |
| aquarium.And ensure that the tank itself has been | | | | need to have a depth of about 7 cms, give or take |
| thoroughly sterilized too.Beneficial bacteria need to | | | | a centimeter. If sand is used as a substrate then if |
| develop and thrive in the substrate ensuring the fish | | | | you are using an under gravel filter don't forget that |
| have a healthy environment and the nitrogen cycling | | | | it will probably need additional maintenance than usual. |
| process is facilitated. | | | | It will clog up more frequently. |
| 2. To give your aquascape a realistic look ensure the | | | | 7. When filling your tank, first of all place a piece of |
| level of substrate rises from the front to the back of | | | | brown paper over the gravel substrate. To stop the |
| the tank. In addition put some localized dips and rises | | | | substrate being greatly disturbed use a cup to pour |
| in it as you get in natural surroundings. Consider a | | | | the water into and it will flow gently onto the paper |
| combination of rocks, pots (to act as caves/shelter) | | | | when full. Continue filling until it is safe to remove the |
| and other decorations plus a range of different sized | | | | cup and the fill completes. Remove the brown paper |
| plants to complete the realism. | | | | carefully. This method stops you disturbing the |
| 3. Limestone in your gravel can cause your water to | | | | substrate layer. |
| harden and the pH to rise. Fish who prefer a less | | | | So now you have been given 7 tips regarding |
| alkaline environment and softer water could suffer as | | | | freshwater aquarium substrate. Take note of the |
| a result. To check that there is none, add a few | | | | advice given, carry these out actions and you will |
| drops of vinegar to a piece of gravel and if it fizzes | | | | have removed several potential problems you may |
| then there is limestone in it. | | | | have otherwise had. |