Hints & Tips For Best Results
13
from your aquarium specialist if either of these
problems arise.
Chemical (Carbon cartridge)
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 to be removed.
• Remove carbon if treating fish with medication.
• Replace every 6 – 8 weeks as the carbons
absorption capacity will have depleted.
• Rinse well before placing in the aquarium. (In
tap water)
Mechanical/Biological Filtration ( Black
filter sponge)
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 benefi-
cial bacteria.
LIVE PLANTS
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.
LIGHTING
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 and may cause excess
algae growth .
FILTER MEDIA
Biological Filtration (Ceramic noodles)
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 nitrify
-
ing bacteria. (Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas).
These nitrifying bacteria need substrate with a
high surface area to adhere to such as ceramic
noodles.
• 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 supplements.
• Over time this media can block up or break
down so it is important to monitor it. Seek advice
