Using rocks in an aquarium design is a superb choice. By choosing the right kind of rocks, preparing them and then arranging them into a natural look, your aquarium will look less like a fish tank and more like the kind of environment that your fish came from. This not only makes your aquarium design look great but will also make your fish feel more relax and at home.
Your Aquarium Design Rocks What you need to know here is that not all rocks are created equal. You can just take any rock from beside a river or the beach and plunk it into your fish tank because it may not be suitable. You need to fish test them to ensure that they do not harm the aquatic life in your fish tank. The kind of rocks that you can safely use in your fish tank largely depends on the species of fish and plant life that you already have or are planning to breed. If what you have is a freshwater aquarium, then the rocks you use for your aquarium design should be inert rocks. These are rocks that will not alter the chemical balance of your fish tank and is the safest choice. Some of the types of inert rocks include basalt, obsidian, coal, quartz, sandstone and shale. If your plan is in fact to raise the pH level of your fish tank or maybe to increase the hardness of the water than you may want to select calcareous rocks for your aquarium design. These include chalk, limestone and marble. Calcareous rocks will help alter the pH level as well as water hardness without you having to resort to chemicals. Testing Your Aquarium Design Rocks Here is an easy way for you to test to see if the rocks that you have chosen for your aquarium design is suitable. All you need is a bucket of your fish tank water, a test kit and your rocks. First, test and jot down the pH, hardness, nitrates and phosphates levels of your aquarium water. Next, place the rocks into the bucket of water and allow it to sit for about a week. After the week is over, test the water one more time and compare your findings. You will find a slight change in reading but if the change is not much, then the rocks should in all likelihood be safe for your fish tank and can be used in your aquarium design. You can also do a quick test by using vinegar. All you need to do is drip a few drops of vinegar on the rocks. If there is foaming, then the rocks are calcareous and should not be used in your fish tank unless you intentionally want to alter the chemical composition of your water. Preparing Your Aquarium Design Rocks After selecting the right type of rocks that you plan to use in your aquarium design, before adding them into your fish tank you would need to disinfect them first. Simply put, you would need to kill off any pathogens that may be breeding on the rock surface and cracks. To do this, vigorously brush the entire rock and rinse it properly to wash off any loose particles. Do not use any detergent for this, just plain water. After that, place it under direct sunlight for a couple of days to allow the sun ultra violet light to kill off any remaining pathogens. Your rocks are now ready for your aquarium design and will make a great addition to the ecosystem in your fish tank.
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The best part of setting up and keeping an African Cichlid Aquarium for me is creating a natural environment for the fish. The most common African Cichlids are the Mbuna (pronounced um-boo-na) that come from the African Rift Lake of Lake Malawi. Visible from space, Lake Malawi is about 354 miles long and about 46 miles wide. The lake is naturally rocky on it’s shores, providing plenty of nooks, crannies, hidey-holes and caves for the cichlids that call it home. When aquascaping your aquarium there are three main ingredients that provide an environment cichlids approve of as well as providing great curb appeal for the viewer. Substrate is the layer of gravel or another material which acts as the “earth” in your aquarium. There are a number of options that you can purchase from your local fish store or big-box pet store, like PetSmart but when aquascaping an African Cichlid Aquarium you want to keep several things in mind. Hardscape is the hard elements of your aquarium. Generally these are the rocks or other solid decorations that you aquascape your aquarium with. African Cichlid tanks should have a very rocky hardscape. Before you hardscape your African Cichlid aquarium, there some things you need to think about. Softscape elements are those that are living, were living or are artificially reproduced. Examples include living plants, driftwood or “fake” plants and wood elements. African Cichlids are hard on living plants, but there are some they won’t destroy. Creating a realistic aquascape using softscape elements for your cichlids takes some thought though. Creating Curb Appeal Once you have your substrate, hardscape and softscape figured out, the next step is to add the hard and soft elements to your aquarium in a way that pleases the eye and provides a good environment for your fish. Just like a flower bed or other landscaping you may have in your front or back yard, placement is key. I’ve found that the most pleasing aquascapes for African Cichlid aquariums is to decorate from the back to the front of the tank. Place the bigger and taller pieces of your hard and soft scape to the back and bring all of the elements down to the substrate level at the front of the tank. Image source: http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aquarium-aquascaping/200111-aquascaping-african-cichlids-125g-tank.html
Aquarium catfish are popular choices for many home aquarium enthusiasts. The catfish is unique in appearance and characteristics from other fish in the sea. Catfish have what appear to be whiskers on either side of their mouth, hence the name. Catfish are the only scale-free fish, and they have the ability to release a stinging protein when they feel threatened or irritated.
Armored catfish are the most common aquarium catfish. The armored catfish is well- suited for the home aquarium because it is smaller than other catfish varieties. Because catfish thrive under certain conditions, it is recommended that you decide whether or not to include catfish in your aquarium before you purchase and set up your tank. Armored catfish are bottom feeders, so they do best when you use a soft base material in your aquarium. Catfish also like to hide, so make sure they have plenty of nooks and crannies to scuttle away to for comfort and security. Aquarium catfish don't require much above what you are providing to the other fish in your tank. Since they eat off the bottom, you might want to try a fish food that sinks to the floor of the aquarium. As with other freshwater aquarium fish, catfish do well with water temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, with a neutral pH balance. Depending on the species, catfish have been known to be a bit goofy and entertaining. All catfish are not created equal, but they usually offer up some fun for the aquarium owner. Some aquarium catfish will enjoy hanging out in a group, others prefer to be left alone. Regardless of personality type, catfish are good aquarium inhabitants because they prefer dwelling in the corners and caves that other fishes don't frequent. Catfish get along quite well with other community fish, the only exception being cichlids, who tend to be territorial and thus cause problems. Before adding catfish to your aquarium, make sure they aren't moving in with fish that are too much smaller in size. Catfish generally well behave, but they may attack and eat small fish in the tank. Also remember that catfish are nocturnal. They do better when they are fed at night or at least late in the day so you will want to adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. Armored catfish are a delightful and fun addition to any home aquarium. They are sure to provide you with years of both enjoyment and entertainment, as long as you keep their watery environment healthy and clean. |
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