5
GB
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
de
fi
nitely no natural light. Longer light times will
accelerate algae growth in the aquarium and has
no bene
fi
t to plants or
fi
sh.
FILTER MEDIA
Biological Filtration (Filter Sponge)
Biological
fi
ltration 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 Nitrosomonas). These
nitrifying bacteria need substrate with a high
surface area to adhere to such as a sponge or
aquarium substrate (gravel).
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 /
fi
lter supplements like Aqua One Bio
Starter.
Over time this media can block up or break down
so it is important to monitor it.
Seek advice from your Aquarium Specialist if
either of these problems arise.
Mechanical/Chemical Filtration (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 need to be
removed.
Remove any carbon cartridge
fi
tted to your Filter if
treating
fi
sh 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 Filtration (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
fi
sh cannot breathe.
Decrease risk of disease outbreaks - there
are high numbers of bacteria associated with
suspended organic solids.
Can also act as a biological
fi
lter medium by
providing suf
fi
cient surface area to host bene
fi
cial
bacteria.
Hints & Tips For Best Results
