9
GB
Hints & Tips For Best Results
Once the water conditions and pH levels have been
corrected, live plants can be added to the aquarium.
Remember to empty some water from the aquarium
before adding anything to it.
REMEMBER LIVE PLANTS NEED TO BE FED!
An
aquarium safe plant fertiliser should be used.
No more than 8 hours of light each day and definitely
no natural light. Longer light times will accelerate algae
growth in the aquarium and has no benefit to plants or
fish.
Specialist light tubes are available through retailers
•
for saltwater and planted aquariums.
We recommend replacing the light globe once
•
every twelve months based on the light being on 8
hours a day as the spectrum of light changes over
time.
Biological Filtration (Ceramic Noodles/Bio Balls)
Biological filtration is a process where toxic nitrogen
compounds such as ammonia and nitrite (Fish waste)
are removed from the system via a breakdown process
carried out by nitrifying bacteria. (Nitrobacter and
Nitrosomas). These nitrifying bacteria need substrate
with a high surface area to adhere to such as Ceramic
noodles and Bio Balls.
When starting a new system it is important to
•
remember that bacteria takes time to develop and
grow.
You can speed up the process by ‘seeding’ the
•
system with commercially available bacterial
cultures / filter supplement.
Over time this media can block up or break down
•
so it is important to monitor it. Seek advice from
your Aquarium dealer if either of these problems
arise.
Live Plants
Lighting
Filter Media
This is the removal of dissolved organic and inorganic
substances through adsorption on a porous substrate
or by direct chemical removal. Dissolved organic
compounds are what turns the water a yellow-brown
colour or causes foaming at the surface of the aquarium
and should be removed.
Remove carbon if treating fish with medication.
•
Replace every 4 – 6 weeks as the carbons
•
absorption capacity will have depleted.
Rinse well before placing in the aquarium. (In tap
•
water).
Mechanical/Chemical filtration
(Carbon)
Mechanical/Biological filtration
(Filter Sponge/Wool)
This is the process whereby suspended solids or
particulate matter are removed from the water.
It is important to remove suspended solids not only to
improve clarity of the water but also to:
Avoid smothering the gills with solids such that fish
•
cannot breathe.
Decrease risk of disease outbreaks - there are high
•
numbers of bacteria associated with suspended
organic solids.
Protect the biological filter material from rapidly
•
becoming clogged.
Can also act as a biological filter medium by
•
providing sufficient surface area to host beneficial
bacteria.
