What is the best substrate for an aquarium? Aquariums large and small: decoration

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What is the best substrate for an aquarium? How much is needed? How to siphon and clean the soil in the aquarium? The answers to all these questions, which are important for the full existence of the "inhabitants" of the aquarium, will be discussed in this article. Let's build the right aquarium with our own hands, taking into account all the nuances of nutrient soil and its laying.

Which soil is best for an aquarium is the first question of a person starting to breed fish

Very often at the initial stage of arranging a “fish house” the question arises: what kind of soil is best for an aquarium? Although later it loses its relevance and ceases to be actively discussed. However, as time passes, the mistakes made at the beginning make themselves felt, and as a result, large-scale corrections begin.

The main purpose of our article will be the nuances of the selection, preparation and placement of soil filler. In addition, decorating and cleaning the bottom of the aquarium are important circumstances in this matter.

Initially, it is worth noting that the black primer for the aquarium is the most important part of its configuration. Together with elements such as backgrounds, lighting and additional decorative elements, it gives a noticeable uniqueness to the placement. At the same time, being a substrate, the soil provides conditions for the existence of a whole complex of microorganisms and plants.

At the same time, the nutrient substrate for the aquarium works as a primitive filtering mechanism. Microscopic suspensions that pollute the water settle in it, which significantly expands its functions.

Before buying the aforementioned filler, it is worth deciding on the goals, as well as the general vision of the "underwater kingdom". In addition, you need to navigate the key aspects of the choice.

Aspects of choosing aquarium soil

• Presence of living plants.
• Suggested species of fish and crustaceans.
• Main colors.
• Aquarium soil volumes.

Main characteristics of aquarium soil

Both a small aquarium and its large analogue must be “decorated” with different colors. Usually the owners themselves select decorations. But despite this, many experts tend to choose a dark substrate that allows a good view of the contents of the aquarium.

If we talk about the expected thickness of the layer, then it depends on the parameters of the aquarium, as well as on the number of living and non-living objects. Therefore, the approach to solvingthe question of which soil is best for an aquarium is strictly individual.

It should be borne in mind that for aquarium plants and fish, the soil will have a significant difference. As mentioned above, representatives of the flora use it as a substrate for rooting and subsequent nutrition. Given this, it should be not only a decorative component, but also life-supporting.

If you believe the general rules for arranging aquariums, then the soil should be fine or medium-grained, taking into account the power of root systems. For underdeveloped plants, sand can be used, and for highly developed plants, a coarse-grained fraction.

In addition, the nutritional value of the soil should also be considered, since for plants and fish the right aquarium is a place that allows them to receive nutrients. Peat, clay, as well as special preparations purchased at pet stores are sometimes placed in the soil.

Pay attention! If you choose which soil is best for an aquarium, then when buying it, you need to study the material from which it is made and the color scheme. The best option for an aquarium would be a natural, unpainted finish.

It is also desirable to find out the chemical composition and origin of the soil before purchasing it. The presence of limestone will provoke the release of carbonate, which will significantly increase the hardness of the water. Its presence is evidenced by the release of gas bubbles.

Aquarium soil groups

1. Natural soils - sand, crushed stone, gravel, pebbles. They can be used where small burrowers are kept.fish species and plants with weak root systems.
2. Soils obtained by processing natural materials mechanically or chemically. They meet almost all requirements and are available in a variety of colours. Despite this, their bright coloration interferes with the natural perception of the aquarium.
3. Artificial soils - glass or plastic balls made using a special technology. They are absolutely harmless, but they can only be used where there will be single plants. In addition, they are completely unsuitable for keeping burrowing fish.

Since porosity is one of the most important characteristics of the substrate, fine sand with a particle size of less than 1 mm is unlikely to be useful. Everything is due to the fact that in such a filler metabolic processes are disturbed due to the rapid caking of the material. This, in turn, leads to plant root rot.

Besides, the biological balance that should "visit" the aquarium at home is very unstable. In this situation, even shellfish and fish loosening the soil do not help.

Sand, having a particle size of 2 to 4 mm, will be an excellent and easily accessible substrate. Sufficient porosity affects metabolic processes, which remain intact for a long time.

This option is quite suitable for most plants with both strong and weak root systems. In addition, it has increased permeability to newly formed roots.

You can also note the success of small pebbles,particles of which vary from 4 to 8 mm. The level of its caking is much less than that of sand, but the formation of silt is very slow. This type of soil is more suitable for large plants with a strong root system.

Large pebbles and gravel will decorate a small aquarium rather than a large one. In any case, the amount of such soil should be significant in order to somehow differ against the general background. In addition, pebbles and gravel are not used as an independent substrate.

It is worth noting that all the above-mentioned natural soils are connected by a common origin - these are small particles of granite. Their mass distribution argues for accessibility for aquarium lovers. Moreover, the color parameters of such soils range from light gray to red shades.

Among artificial substrates, expanded clay is considered the most common. It has excellent porosity and low weight, which makes it indispensable for fish lovers and flower growers. During plant transplantation, this type of soil practically does not injure the root systems.

Together with the above advantages, the inside of expanded clay is an anaerobic flora - oxygen-free microorganisms. They purify the water from numerous organic compounds that appear in the aquarium over time.

To determine how much soil is needed in the aquarium, you should take into account its individual parameters. Among them, the dimensions of the "house for fish" are noted, as well as the occupancy of live andlifeless components.

Soil preparation

If there is an aquarium of 200 liters, then before laying the ground, its bottom must be prepared. This is especially true of the aquarium soil, which is collected "on the street". Mandatory rinsing and boiling are the main procedures to prevent infection.

Store purchases do not need to be boiled, but they must be rinsed and poured over with boiling water. The use of soap or other cleaning products is excluded here, since subsequently it will be very difficult to wash chemical impurities out of the soil. At the very least, it will take a lot of effort and time that can be used for other useful actions.

These procedures are fundamental. If you have properly processed and prepared the soil for the aquarium, the price for it, even if it was significant, will subsequently no longer matter to you. It is worth noting that there is no need to wait for the complete drying of the future “stone bottom”, since the wet state is natural for it.

Placing the soil in the aquarium

If you follow the recommendations of experienced aquarists, then the soil should be laid in three layers. Moreover, the content and nature of the placement must correspond to a certain sequence.

The bottom layer should consist of gravel that is enriched with laterite iron or clay. Its thickness should be between 3 and 5 cm and include fertilizer balls. In addition, there may be a mixture of trace elements that do not contain phosphates and nitrites, which are so detrimental to plants andfish.

It is advisable to focus on iron in the soil mixture, which is present in chelated form. Otherwise, it will simply be unavailable for nutrition to representatives of flora and fauna. In addition, ferrous sulfate, which is usually used to fertilize garden bushes, will not work, as it will significantly reduce the acidity of the water.

If heating cables are used, they are also laid in this layer. They should not be located directly on the bottom, because uneven heating leads to cracking of the glass, and the aquarium at home can quickly deteriorate. In addition, sand and clay in this case will be inappropriate - they will also heat up unevenly.

The middle layer should contain soil with peat impurities, which makes up 15-25% of the total volume of the bottom soil. Its thickness can be no more than 2-3 cm, since an excess of peat-enriched soil can provoke a rotting process. If there is a large amount of organic matter in the ground, then it can be supplemented with sand.

In addition to everything, the middle layer can be filled with trace elements and clay balls. However, this requires careful preparation of peat and land. As a matter of fact, such a rule holds for each layer.

The top layer should be fine gravel mixed with sand. About 5 cm of such soil prevents clouding of the water due to contact of peat with the ground. This is where aquarium stones are used, which can be purchased at the same pet store.

If there are snails or fish digging in the ground in the aquarium, thenyou need to grow plants in pots or increase the thickness of the top layer. This will prevent significant damage to their root systems.

It is worth noting that usually the soil in the aquarium is placed unevenly. Although it can be distributed in such a way that it will look like a slide that rises to the back wall. This bottom covering option can visually give the aquarium volume and a more dramatic appearance.

Most beginner aquarists lay out various patterns from the ground. Since they gradually move under the action of water, these compositions are short-lived. Of course, this is not so scary, but the overall look of the aquarium may still deteriorate.

The final procedures that will make the 200 liter aquarium flawless will be the installation of decor, pouring water and planting plants. This must be taken care of in advance so as not to "slow down" the overall process of arrangement.

Design and decoration

For modern aquaristics, one laying of soil will not be enough. After all, only a professionally designed aquarium can harmoniously fit into the interior and delight its observers for an infinitely long time. Therefore, the more responsible the approach to decorating it, the more it will be able to bring joy to people around.

As mentioned above, for a full-fledged "entry" into the interior of the room, you need to choose the right not only the ground, but also the background with decorative elements.

The role of scenery is no less important than the representatives of flora and fauna that fillaquarium. If the answer to the question of which soil is better for an aquarium has already been written down earlier, then you need to talk about the design in more detail. This is because the decor will be able to disguise the equipment installed inside the aquarium.

Types of bottom and glass decoration

• Driftwood from different types of wood (alder, mango, mopani).
• Colorful stones.
• Sea corals and shells.
• Pebbles, black quartz, coral sand.
• Plastic and living plants.
• Aquarium backgrounds in the form of film on glass.
• Various items (castles, shipwrecks, arches, volcanoes, statues).

Aquarium soil care

After the main points regarding the quantity and quality of the bottom soil have been resolved, we should move on to the question of how to siphon the soil in the aquarium. Simply put, how to remove accumulated mud sediment from its bottom.

Of course, there are special devices called aquarium siphons, which are analogous to ordinary hoses. They are elongated flasks and flexible tubes with a length of 1.6 to 2 m and a diameter of up to 2 cm. These components are connected through special holes, representing a hose with increased dimensions.

After installing the above-mentioned cleaning structure, it plunges into the aquarium and reads its activities. Due to the periodic suction of air, the water from the aquarium begins to pour out, and the most polluted areas of the soil become clean. Some aquarists, while searching for an answer to the question of how to clean the soil inaquarium, can use conventional medical syringes.

While the siphon moves from place to place, its outer end can be clamped, thereby preventing excessive loss of water. Modern versions of cleaning devices are already equipped with taps for adjusting the pressure, so it is easier to “clean” the aquarium with them.

During cleaning, lower the end of the hose from which dirt comes out below the water level of the aquarium itself. This must be done so that the dirt is not poured back.

In addition to the above-mentioned siphon option, there are other designs for cleaning. Most often, these are electric pumps equipped with special fabric bags that filter water. However, here you need to take into account that stones for the aquarium can get there, so it is recommended to use them as carefully as possible.

The preference of a siphon over a conventional hose is also confirmed by the presence of “soil seething” processes during cleaning. Although, on the other hand, the dirt is much lighter than the soil filler, and it should come out unhindered.

Conclusion

Quality soil allows you to give the aquarium the look of a natural reservoir, creating a unique color background for its inhabitants. However, in addition to performing decorative functions, it maintains biological balance, determining the composition and properties of water. In addition, millions of microorganisms "work" in it, providing natural purification of the surrounding air.