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Gravel
The key to any good
aquascape is to start at the
bottom. Gravel must be easy to
keep clean and safe for fish, but
the choice of grade or colour is
entirely up to you.
From bright pinks and orange
to black to natural sands and
gravels, World of Water has it
all, and quantities range from a
couple of kilos to 25 kilogram
sacks.
Coloured gravels are popular
with the bright colours of fancy
goldfish, and fine sands are
a must if trying to create that
authentic Amazonian biotope.
Wash all sands and gravels
when you get them home to
remove any dust or debris.
Specialist sands
and gravels
Substrates can be used for
more than just decorative
purposes. The right substrate
will aid plant growth, offering
them a secure footing and
aiding the flow of nutrients
to the roots. Combine plant
substrates with fertilisation
and bright light for the best
results.
Some sands and gravels
can be used to effect water
parameters. The calcareous
properties of coral sand and
aragonite sand help to buffer
pH and alkalinity in East African
cichlid tanks and marine tanks.
Ask in store for substrates that
aid pH buffering.
Bogwood
There’s something about
bogwood, plants and tropical
fish that just look right.
Bogwood isn’t just any wood
though, and for a start, it sinks.
So why is it called bogwood?
They are actually from bogs
and are ancient roots and
branches that have been semi-
preserved by the anaerobic
conditions of the bog.
There are other types of
wood available like Mopani
wood, which has a two-tone
effect – an effect that has
been created by sandblasting
one face of the wood, and that
can be very appealing on the
eye, too.
When choosing any wood,
first of all make sure that
it is safe to be placed in
aquariums as not all wood is.
World of Water’s wood comes
from reliable sources and is
guaranteed safe in aquariums
and with freshwater fish.
When you first place
bogwood under water it may
leach tannins and stain the
water the colour of tea. This is
perfectly natural and will create
conditions similar to many
tropical fish habitats in South
America, South-east Asia and
West Africa.
If you don’t like the water
to be too brown, either soak
the wood for several weeks
in tapwater or place it in an
old saucepan and boil it for a
while. Activated carbon is very
TIP
DARK SUBSTRATES
ENHANCE
FISH COLOURS AND MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME.
FINE GRAINED GRAVELS CAN MAKE A TANK LOOK LARGER, AND ARE BETTER
FOR PLANT GROWTH.
Once the aquarium has been placed and the equipment fitted comes
the fun part – decorating it – and there is loads of choice!
Choosing
the
décor
The right
combination of
décor will make your
tank come alive.