Page 53 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ROUTINE TASKS 51

Long-handled algal scrapers
are invaluable for keeping
the sides of the aquarium
free of algal growth,
enabling you to reach right
down to the base of the tank.
Magnetic scrapers use a short
handle on the outside of
the glass to control a scraper
blade on the inside.

Algal overgrowth
on aquarium plants
is unsightly and can
also prevent them from
photosynthesizing, which
will cause them to die back.
tank. Before refilling the tank, add a suitable amount of water Some algal growth can be
conditioner to the fresh water, and make sure that it is at beneficial to fish, because it
the same temperature as that within the tank, or the fish will forms part of the natural
diet of a number of species,
be stressed by the sudden change. Pour the water in slowly, including this Electric Blue.
taking care not to disturb the roots of the substrate plants.
If your tank has a biological filter, switch the power back Problems with algae
on as soon as possible, because the aerobic bacteria that Excessive algal growth may occur if the aquarium lights are
provide the basis for filtration will die if they do not receive left on for too long. It is especially likely if there are no plants
oxygenated water for some time. Should you need to replace in the tank, or if the plants in a new tank are not yet fully
the filter sponge, be sure to add a seed culture of bacteria. established, because plants naturally compete with algae for
Be prepared for an initial deterioration in water quality, since nitrates and other key growth compounds in the water.
the biological filter will not work efficiently again until the Without competition, algae spread more easily, not only
bacteria have colonized the surface of the new filter sponge. growing on the glass but also covering rockwork and other

PARTIAL WATER CHANGE

Cleaning the gravel while siphoning
water from the tank improves the
filter’s efficiency and ensures that
the gravel bed does not
become compacted. Save
the tank water that you
siphon into the bucket;
you will need this to
rinse the filter sponge.
1
2
Cleaning the filter sponge 1 Siphon out the water 2 Clean the gravel
Rinse out the sponge in water Place the bucket below the tank to ensure a good Take care not to uproot any substrate plants when
taken from the tank, to remove flow. Never suck water through the tube to start using a gravel cleaner. The water flow will not be
any debris that has collected. the flow—you could swallow harmful microbes. strong enough to suck gravel up the tube.

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