Freshwater

50
Part I: Aquarium Basics
Adding substrate to your system
Before adding gravel to a freshwater system, clean it thoroughly by rinsing it
under fresh water. As you clean, carefully check for and remove defects such
as extremely large clumps, foreign matter, and sharp pieces in the gravel.
The amount of substrate required for a freshwater tank varies not only with
the size of the aquarium, but with the type of filtration used as well:
If you have an undergravel filter, you need a 2- to 3-inch layer of substrate
in order to create a proper bacterial bed.
If you’re not using an undergravel filter, use only an inch of substrate to
cover the bottom of the tank.
If you plan on using live plants, you may need to add a bit more substrate
to make sure that the plants stay anchored and do not float up to
the top of the tank.
On average, a standard, rectangular aquarium needs about a pound and a half
of substrate per gallon of water. It should be obvious that this rule doesn’t
work for a tank two inches wide and eighteen feet tall. You’d end up with a
column of gravel that would look great as a pillar on your front porch. Use
common sense when adding gravel depending on your tank’s shape.
Slope the gravel by making it slightly higher in the back, so that debris will
tumble down and collect toward the front glass. This makes it easier to
vacuum up and keep clean. A few well placed rocks or plants will help to keep
the slope from flattening out as it slowly slides forward.
Rocks, Wood, and Artificial Plants
Using rocks, wood, and artificial plants is a great way to add a natural-looking
environment to your aquarium. Normal, everyday rocks that come from a
quarry are generally used for freshwater setups. Rocks and hardwoods also
provide hiding and spawning areas for your fish, and artificial plastic or silk
plants can easily be found at most retail pet stores to add that realistic touch
to your aquarium
Rocks for freshwater tanks
Rocks can help break up the total bottom space into individual territories.
Establishing territories often prevents fighting among fish. Squabbles often
break out during spawning or feeding times. Some individual fish may also be
more aggressive than others, so it never hurts to have a few rocks in your
aquarium that can provide shelter if needed.