The diversity of the underwater world as well as the available equipment and arrangement materials give aquarists endless possibilities. We’ll gladly advise you on how to use this potential and enjoy the beauty of the aquatic world.
When deciding to set up a freshwater aquarium, you’ll face many important choices. Each decision you make, will lead you to a completely different path and experiences. This diversity can fascinate, but it can also feel frustrating. How to get through this and not get lost? Just follow us!
Suitable placement and aquarium
When looking for a proper place for your underwater kingdom, make sure the place is not directly exposed to the sun. This way you will keep the glass clean, without the excess algae appearing. Consider whether the chosen location is in the aisle and whether the aquarium may be at risk of damage.
The next step is to choose the size of the tank. You can decide on one of the standard kits. These are usually 60×30 cm aquariums; 80×35 cm; 100×40 cm; 120×50 cm; 150×60 cm. Cubes usually come in 20×20 cm; 30×30 cm and 40×40 cm. If you want to adjust the tank to the selected place (and it is not one of the sizes listed above), you can order a custom made aquarium. However, remember that it is more difficult to fit the cover to an aquarium of not standard dimension. Such aquarium usually get set up as open, free-standing tanks.
Aquascape & fish
When you decide on your preferred size of the aquarium, take some time to think about the plants, decorations and fish you would like to keep. Even though, you can put fish in your aquarium only after the interior is settled and parameters are stable, you should firstly think about the cast. Some fish need a sandy substrate, while the others like to dig up decorations. Amongst many beautiful species you will find social, territorial and predatory fish. Everything varies, depending on species. Some fish need dense plants with lots of places to hide and others need a lot of space to swim around. These who prefer soft water (some stones can raise water hardness) and those that can accept even hard water. It is important to select the size and number of fish for the tank. Remember that large fish not only need a large aquarium, but also optically reduce the general arrangement. If you want to calculate the maximum number of fish in your tank, remember that 1 cm of fish per 1 liter of aquarium is a conventional value and applies to mature fish in its maximum size it can reach. Capacity of the tank you own, means its size after subtracting the substrate, roots, stones and plants that you plan to have. The optimal solution will be to plan the cast for approximately half of the available capacity. Each cast should include a clean up crew and decorative fish.
Treat the aquascape as a living picture of nature and make it interesting. Using roots or stones, try to create specific points to drag attention and small elements to complement it. Avoid stacking symmetrically and too linear compositions. Your arrangement will look natural, if you really take care of details. Pebbles or pieces of roots scattered on the sand will give it charm. Same as mixed plants growing in the same place.
Materials selection
When searching for materials, focus on the natural ones. You can find a suitable stone or root in the forest, by a river or by the sea. However, remember that not all of the finds are suitable for an aquarium. If you want to be sure, choose proven sources and stores with interior design materials. The most popular roots are Red Moor, Driftwood, Iron Wood, Mangrove or Pine Swamp. Recommended stones are Dragon Stone or Black Lava. Choose the most natural sand and small pebbles or substrate, enriched with elements needed by plants for proper growth.
The magic of plants
Well-chosen plants can transform your aquarium into a beautiful underwater landscapeIn order for this to happen, remember not only to match the requirements of plants to the conditions you can provide them. Check how big the plants you have chosen grow and pick a suitable place for them. In the foreground, plant the smallest ones, such as Eleocharis mini lawn, Cryptocoryna parva or Micranthemum sp. Monte Carlo. Use medium-sized plants in the background, eg Micranthemum Umburosum, Cryptocoryne wendtii brown. The third plan is for tallest plants only, they can be the stems of, for example, Rotala, Ludwigia, Hygrophile or even tall grasses, such as Eloecharis Vivipara or Cyperus Helferi. By following the rule of three plant sizes, you will optically enlarge your aquarium, giving it depth.
The right start
How you start fertilizing a newly established aquarium can really help you in maintaining it in the future. It will also help you avoid many problems. For the first week or two, add recommended doses of AF K Boost and AF Carbon Boost. Look for the new leaves or first algae blooms on the plants. If everything is healthily growing, start adding half the dose of AF Micro and AF Macro ingredients. Continue to observe and react to what you see. When green sediment appears on the glass or you notice algae in the aquarium, reduce the doses of fertilizers and make an extra water change of about 40% of the water. If nothing like it happens, after about a month you should adjust the dose of all the mentioned fertilizers to your tank. After each water change, add bacteria and other fertilizers as indicated. Thanks to this, you will be able to enjoy healthy fish and plants for a long time.