Page 43 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

PREPARING THE TANK 41

FUN FURNISHINGS
There is an almost endless variety of fun objects that can
add a sense of playfulness to your tank. Some are stand-
alone ornaments, while others can be connected to an
airline to serve as airstones. What to include is a matter
of personal choice, but use only items designed for use in
aquariums, because others may
contain chemicals that are
toxic to fish.

An airstone attached to
the airline from a pump
produces an attractive
column of bubbles. The
airstone can be disguised
by placing a plant in Ornate decorations can
front of it. The coarser be hard to clean if algae
develop on their surface
the airstone used, the
larger the bubbles.
need open swimming space, just as they would have in the
pools they inhabit in the wild. Conversely, doradid catfish
(see pp.118–119), which live in rocky streams, require plenty
of hiding places in their aquarium, so you should arrange
the rockwork into cavelike retreats. A few fish have very
specific requirements. Some African cichlids, such as Signatus
(see p.155), spawn in snail shells, and you will have
to include these in the tank if you want the fish
to breed. The cleaned shells of large edible snails,
as sold in gourmet shops, are ideal.
Assembling the components
Keep to your overall plan for the tank as
you assemble the rest of the components.
Position the heater unit toward the
back of the tank so that it is both
inconspicuous and accessible for
maintenance. (Most tank hoods
also have holes at the rear, through
which you can run power cables to
heating and filtration equipment.)
Convection currents in
the water distribute heat
throughout the aquarium;
warmed water rises toward

A clean terracotta flowerpot on
its side forms a ready-made cave
where shy fish can shelter. Some of
the smaller catfish and cichlids, such
as this Pearl Cichlid (see p.139),
may even spawn inside flowerpots.

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