Before those who have just decided to start an aquarium , many questions inevitably arise. One of the most important in the arrangement of a small piece of water ecosystem in the house or apartment: what is the best soil to choose for the aquarium? After all, the soil gives not only aesthetic beauty, but also plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of the necessary conditions for the life of fish and marine microorganisms.
Types of soil for aquariums
The best soil for the aquarium can be selected, based on your own capabilities, aesthetic views, as well as on what kinds of fish you plan to breed. In general, all types of soil by origin are divided into three groups: from natural material, soils obtained by chemical or mechanical processing of natural material, and those that consist entirely of artificial elements. It is easier and more accessible to get natural types of soil, as they can be collected independently. It can be pebbles, small gravel, rock fragments, shells, which are independently found on the banks of the river or in ravines and quarries will not be difficult. A major role in the use of such a soil is played by its thorough purification. It is recommended first to hold the natural soil in an acid solution (eg, table vinegar) for 30 minutes, and then rinse under running water. Some owners of aquariums also use boiling of soil. The choice of natural soil depends on your ability to collect and purchase, but it should be noted that deciding which soil for the aquarium is better for plants, it is worth paying attention to the ground, consisting of gravel of volcanic origin, which emits a large amount of mineral substances that contribute to water growth and strengthening of the root system. With other soils, it will be necessary to use special bait for the first time.
Chemically processed and synthetic soils can be easily purchased at a pet store. They benefit from natural soil with their diverse color range, and also because such soil will not accurately emit harmful substances into the water, but the useful properties of such a soil are zero, therefore, all additional mineral substances necessary for creating the aquarium ecosystem will have to be introduced additionally .
In addition to origin, the soils are also different in size. If the soil particles do not exceed 1 mm in diameter, then before you the sand. Such a primer looks homogeneous and very aesthetic, but on the bottom it lies on a dense layer, which can lead to the formation of anoxic regions and potentially harmful gases for fish. Ground more than 5 mm in diameter is called pebbles. Such a soil well passes water, and with it, food particles, as well as waste products of fish, which leads to rapid damage to water. The most optimal particle size for most aquariums is 5-7 mm. It is this pebble of this size that makes it possible to freely circulate water and, at the same time, lie down sufficiently tightly so that the overwhelming amount of fodder and fish waste settles on the surface of the soil layer.
Use of soil in the aquarium
It is also worth paying attention to the appearance of the soil, its color. Now you can buy soils of almost any color, which allows you to create unusual design solutions for aquariums. However, it is worth noting that too light, white, gray and beige,
Optimal thickness of the ground layer for the aquarium is 5-7 cm. A layer of greater thickness will create a strong pressure on the glass of the walls and the bottom, and the thinner will lie not tight enough. The soil can be laid in a dense even layer, but, if desired, you can create an interesting relief of the bottom, using larger stones, snags and special clay decorations for the aquarium, so-called terraces. If it is planned to breed fish that feed from the bottom, it is worth placing the soil somewhat at an angle: a thicker layer at the back wall, a thinner layer at the front.