Why Freshwater Aquarium Substrate Is Important
A freshwater aquarium substrate is vital to ensuring that plants can establish themselves, fish feel at home and a beneficial biological environment is formed. This article covers the subject in more depth.
Dictionary definition of a substrate (Compact Oxford English):
- an underlying substance or layer
- the surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment
- the substance on which an enzyme acts
- a material which provides the surface on which something is deposited or inscribed, for example the silicon wafer used to manufacture integrated circuits
Purposes for substrate:
A substrate has multiple purposes in a freshwater aquarium.
- It acts as a natural base for the fish as they would not find glass as a bottom material in their original wild habitat
- It can be a haven for bacteria involved in the natural nitrogen cycling process
- Plants use it to establish themselves in the tank
Substances used:
The main materials involved in freshwater aquarium substrates are sand and gravel. Of course coral sand should be deemed not suitable for freshwater aquariums due its light color causing glare issues and suspended particulates causing issues with the fishes gills leading to scratching.
Another substrate that is used in marine environments is limestone chips. Although this can be used in freshwater aquariums where there are special problems with hard water as this substance will act as a buffering agent and soften the water if required. (It will also increase the pH).
Gravel:
There are several types of aquarium gravel available with a range of grades (different particle sizes and shapes). There is normal aquarium gravel, colored gravels, black gravel and gravel that has not been sieved and graded.
The ungraded gravel looks more natural as it has a range of gravel sizes. The darker gravel is useful when you want to have a darker environment for your fish.
Things to consider:
Before choosing your substrate you need to consider the type of fish you are proposing to have and their behavior patterns because;
- Fish that dwell on the bottom could be injured by rough or sharp edged gravel stones
- Fish that like to dig frequently can be hurt by sharp gravel pieces
- Some fish feed and sift the substrate at the same time. Again sharp grains would not be a good idea
- Depending on how the fish will be fed, food particles can fall into crevices in larger grade gravel and cause pollution
- Some fish prefer soft water environments. If so, make sure the gravel does not contain limestone as it will harden the water
Note: A quick test for limestone in gravel: add some vinegar to a bit of gravel and see if it fizzes. If it does you have limestone in it.
Explanation: The vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the limestone (Calcium Carbonate) to release carbon Dioxide and form Calcium Acetate and water; CaCO3 + 2CH3COOH -> CO2 + Ca(OOCCH3)2 + H2O
Sand:
The best sand to use is filtration sand, not sand used in the building trade as that will compact. Filtration sand will allow plants to establish themselves as it has round grains and water can move through it.
Although if your are using an undergravel filter then the fine sand is more likely to clog up your filter on a regular basis so more maintenance may be needed.
And if you want to create a sloping aquascape then it will be more difficult with this material. In this case you may well choose to combine both the filtration sand and gravel to create the effect.
Conclusion:
Freshwater aquarium substrates are an essential and integral part of setting up a freshwater aquarium. You need to think about what type of fish you are going to put in your tank before you decide on the sort of substrate you will use.
And do not forget. It is important that before use, all substrates (as well as anything else going into your aquarium – apart from the fish of course) must be washed repeatedly with hot water to clean it up.
[Top two Photos by JohnstonDJ, Specious respectively]
3 More Freshwater Fish Tank Fish Described
Why not consider adding these three freshwater fish tank fish selections to your community. The Pinktailed Charachin, the Silver Hatchet and the Splashing tetra are described in this article and information supplied on their feeding habits, behavior, features, tank requirements and breeding information.
Pinktailed Characin – Chalceus macrolepidotus (Family: Characidae)
Behavior:
This fish is also classified in the family Chalceidae. It can be kept in a community tank as long as the other fish are large because it is a predatory fish. Ideally it should be in a small shoal. It is also a good leaper so keep that cover on!
Water and tank conditions:
Ensure there is plenty of swimming area in an aquarium at least 70 cms long ensure you have some floating plants for shade as the fish likes to swim near the surface. Soft water is best at a temperature of 23 to 27 degrees centigrade.
Features and colors:
These fish can grow to 25 cms in the wild but will not reach anything like that in your aquarium. A striking fish, it has a long body with large scales and pink colored dorsal, ventral and caudal fins. Depending on the angle of the light this fish may appear to be purple or green on its sides with a darker back and silvery stomach.
Feeding:
Not a problem as it will eat a range of live foods (insect larvae, worms, water-fleas, small fish) and diced meat and dried foods.
Breeding conditions:
As far as I can ascertain this fish has not been bred in an aquarium yet.
Silver Hatchet – Gasteropelecus levis (Family: Gasteropelecidae)
Behavior:
This freshwater fish tank fish can actually fly over the surface so you will need that cover again! It does it by moving its well muscled pectoral fins rapidly like a bird. Better kept as a small shoal. Unfortunately it has a short life span.
Water and tank conditions:
The tank should be long, the water slightly acidic, normal amount of planting and usual tropical fish tank temperatures.
Features and colors:
They are known as the hatchet fish because they are pretty thin and have long stomachs which makes them look like a hatchet blade. A dark band runs from the caudal peduncle to the gill area, its fins are colorless and the main color is silver with the back being darker. It is practically impossible to tell the difference between the sexes. It can reach a size of about 6 cms.
Feeding:
Quite fussy they will not eat dried foods, will not eat near the bottom of the aquarium and will only eat vegetable and live foods.
Breeding conditions:
Appear to have never been bred in captivity.
Splashing Tetra – Copeina arnoldi (Family: Lebiasinidae)
Behavior:
You can guess from another of its common names, the Jumping characin, that you must have a cover on the tank.It is a sturdy fish that is one of the more popular species in the genus. It is also known as the Copella arnoldi.
Water and tank conditions:
Temperature range should be between 22 and 26 degrees centigrade.
Features and colors:
It has a slender body with large scales and no adipose fin. The main color is red brown with silver highlights and each scale has dark borders. The female is smaller than the male and does not have a white spot at the bottom of the dorsal fin. Anal and pelvic fins are tinted with red and sometimes the lower part of the caudal fin is too.
Feeding:
Not fussy it will eat practically anything you give it.
Breeding conditions:
The breeding behavior is quite remarkable. Floating leaves can be used as spawning areas for the fish or you can paint a piece of frosted glass green and suspend it on the surface of the water in the breeding tank. Condition the mating couple with live food. Both fish jump out of the water onto the spawning area and temporarily join together before falling back into the aquarium.
Up to a hundred eggs may be laid on the spawning area over an hour and every now and again the male will approach and splash the eggs to keep them moist. Seventy two hours later and they will hatch with the fry dropping into the water going to the bottom and staying there for up to a week. The usual food regime for young fry can be adopted, staring with infusoria.
So there we have it. Three more freshwater fish tank fish suitable for a community environment for you to choose from.
