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| Maintianing Substrate in the Marine Aquarium |
Choosing a substrate can be a daunting task, but maintaining it can be just as difficult if you
don't know how. Here are a few simple tips and tricks that will help you maintain your
substrate successfully.
don't know how. Here are a few simple tips and tricks that will help you maintain your
substrate successfully.
The first trick to substrate is its initial addition to the tank. Many hobbyists will place it in the
tank then add water. This can cause air pockets that will eventually house toxins that may
be released into the system. The proper way to introduce substrate when setting up a tank
initially is to partially fill the tank with water. Then slowly add the substrate making sure that
there are no air bubbles or pockets in it. Use your hand to disturb the particles if necessary.
Once the substrate is added, finish filling the tank with water. Let the dust settle out before
turning on the filtration system for the first time. Be aware that several prefilter changes will
probably be necessary while everything settles.
tank then add water. This can cause air pockets that will eventually house toxins that may
be released into the system. The proper way to introduce substrate when setting up a tank
initially is to partially fill the tank with water. Then slowly add the substrate making sure that
there are no air bubbles or pockets in it. Use your hand to disturb the particles if necessary.
Once the substrate is added, finish filling the tank with water. Let the dust settle out before
turning on the filtration system for the first time. Be aware that several prefilter changes will
probably be necessary while everything settles.
Step 1: Dry tank
Step 2: Fill the tank about halfway
Step 3: Add substrate
Another commonly overlooked fact of substrate maintenance is that in an effort to clean
the tank, some aquarists will actually make the tank too clean. As mentioned, the substrate
is important because it provides a home for millions of beneficial bacteria. These are the
bacteria that participate in the nitrogen cycle and process fish wastes. Cleaning any deeper
then the surface of your substrate can disturb the population of bacteria and in extreme
cases, cause a tank crash. Most experts agree that sand sifting starfish and snails are
enough to keep any bed clean and only very light around the edges siphoning may be
necessary for bigger particles of debris. The exception to this being large predator tanks
with large grain substrate. Some feel that vacuuming the substrate is needed to keep these
systems clean. They feel the damage done to the bacterial populations is made up for by the
physical removal of waste. Even if they do vacuum, many only vacuum one half of the tank
at a time. Then during the next tank service, vacuum the other half. This way at least part of
the bacteria is being left undisturbed and is free to recolonize the half that was destroyed.
Another common mistake that is made by newcomers to the hobby is when there is a
combination of substrate and liverock structures. When planning a reef aquarium, the rock
that will be used for the very bottom base of the reef needs to be placed in the aquarium first,
before the substrate. Whenever possible the bottom rocks should be carefully placed so
they are stable on the bare glass bottom then the substrate is added as previously
described. This gives a much more solid foundation for the reef and prevents a shifting
sand bottom from toppling your carefully stacked liverock and three o’clock in the morning.
Then after the substrate is in the tank and the water is settled, additional rock can be added
to the aquarists liking.
In summary, choosing the proper substrate for your aquarium can be a difficult task. A
combination of aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and bioload must be considered. If all of
these factors are properly considered, a beautiful tank that is easy to maintain with happy
inhabitants will result. Don't forget to cycle new tanks as well! Click here for some
information on cycling a new system.
the tank, some aquarists will actually make the tank too clean. As mentioned, the substrate
is important because it provides a home for millions of beneficial bacteria. These are the
bacteria that participate in the nitrogen cycle and process fish wastes. Cleaning any deeper
then the surface of your substrate can disturb the population of bacteria and in extreme
cases, cause a tank crash. Most experts agree that sand sifting starfish and snails are
enough to keep any bed clean and only very light around the edges siphoning may be
necessary for bigger particles of debris. The exception to this being large predator tanks
with large grain substrate. Some feel that vacuuming the substrate is needed to keep these
systems clean. They feel the damage done to the bacterial populations is made up for by the
physical removal of waste. Even if they do vacuum, many only vacuum one half of the tank
at a time. Then during the next tank service, vacuum the other half. This way at least part of
the bacteria is being left undisturbed and is free to recolonize the half that was destroyed.
Another common mistake that is made by newcomers to the hobby is when there is a
combination of substrate and liverock structures. When planning a reef aquarium, the rock
that will be used for the very bottom base of the reef needs to be placed in the aquarium first,
before the substrate. Whenever possible the bottom rocks should be carefully placed so
they are stable on the bare glass bottom then the substrate is added as previously
described. This gives a much more solid foundation for the reef and prevents a shifting
sand bottom from toppling your carefully stacked liverock and three o’clock in the morning.
Then after the substrate is in the tank and the water is settled, additional rock can be added
to the aquarists liking.
In summary, choosing the proper substrate for your aquarium can be a difficult task. A
combination of aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and bioload must be considered. If all of
these factors are properly considered, a beautiful tank that is easy to maintain with happy
inhabitants will result. Don't forget to cycle new tanks as well! Click here for some
information on cycling a new system.
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