| p>The decision has been made and the tank has | | | | of tests. One way is to put lots of drops of vinegar |
| been bought and kept in its place of honour. The | | | | on the rocks or the gravel that you plan to place in |
| question now arises what exactly is it that you need | | | | the tank. If it creates some foam or fizz or has an |
| to put in this tank to allow an ecosystem of sorts to | | | | unexpected reaction, you should not use it. This is |
| flourish. | | | | because it contains calcium that affects the water. |
| The substrate is essential to the tank and comes | | | | A second way is to place the substrate material in a |
| right at the beginning, or in this case right at the | | | | bucket of water that is to be used in your |
| bottom of the tank. While deciding between small | | | | freshwater aquarium and run a test for pH balance |
| and large sized substrates, there are several things to | | | | and hardness. Let the material be in the bucket for a |
| keep in mind but do remember that the smaller stuff | | | | week and if you see no major change then this is |
| is more liked by the fish. Sand and small rocks are a | | | | usable. |
| cheap if not free part of small substrate and easy to | | | | A variety of testing kits are available online or at pet |
| get. They also help dressing up the tank. But if your | | | | stores. You must know which ones are needed and |
| fish pick this stuff up and keep it in their mouth, | | | | which just a waste of your money. |
| which they tend to do with the smaller substrate, | | | | Unusual pH levels lead to stress for your fish and |
| expect irritation in their mouth. | | | | their death so a pH Levels Test Kit is a must. If you |
| Rocks, pebbles and things like these form the | | | | observe pH 'drifting' or unexpected changes, check |
| medium-sized substrate and is often seen in tanks. | | | | the Carbonate Hardness (KH) levels of the water. |
| Big substrate means things like river rocks- rarely to | | | | Ammonia levels need to be high during the |
| be seen in freshwater tanks. Sometimes a bottom | | | | freshwater aquarium setup period and not later but |
| layer of big substrate gives the tank a grand look but | | | | this can happen due to dirty water, filters, medicines |
| this can trap food particles that float down - | | | | or even overstocking of the tank. That's why an |
| contaminating the water and potentially hurting the | | | | Ammonia Test Kit is necessary. |
| fish. | | | | Make sure that the nitrite levels are less than 1.0. |
| Before you add any new substrates, consider the | | | | Nitrite is a toxic byproduct left after organic waste |
| affect they can have on the water. Crushed coral | | | | breaks down. |
| has the potential to increase the Ph levels in water. | | | | While nitrate is a medium-level poison for fish, high |
| Substrate can also affect the fish in other ways. | | | | levels can still be damaging and it needs to be |
| Certain substrates are to be avoided in your | | | | maintained at or below 300 ppm (parts per million). |
| freshwater aquarium setup as they damage the | | | | In a freshwater aquarium setup most owners have |
| water. These include dolomite. geodes, granite, lava | | | | several things they would like to plug in. Considering |
| rock, limestone, onyx, quartz, sandstone, shells and | | | | that this involves a mix of water and electricity, |
| slate. | | | | invest in a power strip that is waterproof and offers |
| To figure out if other things that you would like to | | | | protection against surges. |
| add to the tank - which may not have been | | | | For more great information on setup freshwater |
| purchased for it specifically - you should run a couple | | | | aquarium. |