Page 41 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

PREPARING THE TANK 39

COARSE GRAVEL PEA GRAVEL FINE-GRAINED GRIT GLASS BEADS YELLOW GRAVEL BLUE GRAVEL

is appropriate for the fish you intend to keep. The large stones Pea gravel, the most commonly used type, has a grain size of ⁄8 in (3–4 mm);
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of coarse-grained gravel, for example, will not be suitable for anything finer may reduce the efficiency of the undergravel filter. Coarser gravel
fish that habitually dig in the substrate, bury themselves in it, tends to trap uneaten food in the gaps between the stones. Glass beads and
dyed gravel provide attractive alternatives, but choose dyed gravel carefully,
or sift the stones in search of food. because strong colors may detract from the appearance of the fish.
When buying gravel, bear in mind that a layer of about
2 in (5 cm) is needed to create the filter bed, so allow roughly this will dissolve slowly and increase the water’s hardness. You
2 lb (1 kg) of gravel for every gallon (4 liters) of tank capacity. can test gravel by adding vinegar to a small sample. If it contains
Although aquarium gravel is usually prewashed, this does not limestone, the vinegar will fizz as it reacts with the calcium.
mean that it is necessarily clean enough for the tank. Rinse it
thoroughly to remove all traces of sediment; otherwise, you Rockwork and bogwood
may find that a muddy scum forms on the water when you With the gravel bed in place, you can begin to furnish the
fill the aquarium. It is also advisable to soak the gravel tank. Rockwork not only looks attractive but also provides
overnight in aquarium disinfectant, to reduce the likelihood egg-laying sites for a number of tropical species—especially
of introducing disease or parasites into the tank. cichlids, which favor slate. In addition, rockwork offers fish
If you intend to keep fish that require soft-water conditions, places to shelter, and more aggressive species may use it to
avoid gravel containing limestone (calcium carbonate), since mark out their territories.

3 Clean the gravel 4 Place the filter 5 Slope the gravel
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3
5
After soaking the gravel in aquarium Lay an undergravel filter directly on the Smooth out the gravel by hand, sloping it
disinfectant, pour it into a colander and aquarium floor. Place the airlift at the back, or upward to the back of the tank. This will
rinse it under a running faucet, stirring the else a power filter can be put in place later, make it easier to spot any buildup of mulm
gravel occasionally with your hand. with the gravel carefully tipped in beforehand. (decayed organic matter) at the front.

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