Subject: Decorating Your Aquarium

The most decorative and even important decoration you can use in an aquarium is the plants. Many prefer plastic plants; however, these do not aid in gas exchanges (oxygen and carbon dioxide), and when used, other means of exchange must be found.

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Plants are so much more than just decorative features in your aquarium, and you should take as much care choosing them as you do choosing your fish. Some aquarists even go so far as to believe that they are more important than the fish themselves.

Plants are not appropriate for all aquariums, simply because some of the larger fish dig so hard in the gravel or sand that plants can't survive.
Other fish are plant eaters. In either of these instances, an aquarium can only be decorated with decorative stones and roots.

However, if you simply must have live plants, in these two instances, use ferns -- fish only eat ferns reluctantly.

Substrate, the under layer for the bottom of your aquarium, is another source of derision among aquarists. One thing is certain: fertilizing with humus or peat like in a garden is totally wrong! It leads to rotting spots in the substrate, which cause plant roots to die.

Fine gravel, between 1 and 5 mm, has proven suitable for plant growth; it is better for the grains to be a little too large than too small.

Many feel it is better to cover the finer gravel with a layer of coarser gravel.

Whether to add fertilizer to the substrate is a source of debate, and you should make this decision after much study.

Rocks are essential in decorating an aquarium. When used properly, they can act as a disguise for unattractive filters and heaters; when stacked they make wonderful caves and hiding holes for fish wishing to utilize them.

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They can be used to build terraces and for shaping the substrate! What a wonderful tool they are, and if chosen with care, they are quite beautiful. A little tip is to wet the rock before you buy it -- this way you can see what it will look like under water!

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Thank you,

Bill Anderson
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