Post by jackpike on Mar 28, 2007 18:54:06 GMT -1
| Substrate material |
| Substrate material used in an aquarium may serve a purpose. Either forming part of the filtration in a under gravel filter system, Too maintain high pH in a hard-water aquarium or serves as a rooting medium for growing plants in a planted aquarium. Gravel and sand substrates can also be used for just decorative reasons which serves no other purpose. Gravel is available in a range of sizes from 'pea' gravel to fine (2-3mm) size. It is also available in many colours and textures. Pea-sized gravel is probably the most commonly used. larger sizes of gravel can allow debris to fall between the stones where it will decay and affect water quality. For planted tanks, it is often advantageous to use a finer grade of lime-free gravel. Coral gravel can be used to help maintain high pH in hard-water setups. But coral gravel usually has sharp-edges that may damage the bodies of fish, to avoid this place the gravel in a filter or use coral sand instead. Sand is also available in different grades and colours. Lime-free silica sand will not change the water chemistry in an aquarium. It will often be sold graded and pre-washed, although it is advisable to give it an additional wash before using it in an aquarium. Sand is particularly useful for tanks containing bottom feeders with delicate barbels such as Corydoras catfish. It is generally easy to keep clean as debris remains on top of the sand. If you use a under-gravel filtration system then do not use sand as the substrate because sand compacts down and blocks the under-gravel filter. Special substrates are sold for use in planted tanks. Some substrates can be used alone. While others are designed to be mixed with gravel or sand, They are usually rich in iron and other nutrients and trace elements required by plants. There are also situations where it may be preferable not to use substrates because the tank needs to be easy to clean. Such as fry-rearing tanks and quarantine tanks. |
| Recommended uses for substrate materials |
| General community tank - Natural pea-gravel or silica sand Planted tank - Fine lime-free gravel and/or nutrient substrate additive Soft water fishes - Lime-free gravel or silica sand Cichlids from hard water - Natural gravel, silica sand or coral sand Breeding tanks - No substrate or thin layer of sand Quarantine tanks - No substrate |
