Garhan Posted December 16, 2004 Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 The basic law for an optimum aquarium -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 10 golden rules for maintaining an optimum aquarium provide the natural laws for a correctly functioning aquarium in which fish and plants are able to enjoy a healthy, vigorous life. The rules remove the factor of uncertainty from the aquarium at the very beginning, and render it independent of chance occurrences. The 10 Golden Rules for an Optimum Aquarium -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Tropical Warmth in the Substrate and in the Water Heating the aquarium by means of an undergravel heating cable is a very important pre-condition for an optimum aquarium. The heating cable in the gravel of the aquarium integrates the entire substrate into the chemical and physical cycle of the aquarium, by means of convection currents. If the aquarium water is heated for example, by means of an immersion heater, only the water becomes warm, while the substrate or gravel remains at room temperature, thus turning black and foul with the plants suffering from the notorious "cold feet". An undergravel heating system helps to simulate in the aquarium, the ground water current that exists in natural waters. A well composed aquarium substrate consists of a layer of 2-3 mm sized quartz gravel, the lower part of it being a mixture of gravel and Duplarit G. Duplarit is a selected tropical laterite with high iron content. This type of aquarium substrate provides the following advantages: Nutritional material for plants is being activated in the substrate and supplied to them through the plant roots leaves. Furthermore, oxygen is brought into the substrate, thus keeping it in functional for a longer period of time. Moreover, low voltage heating with 24 volts, offers absolute safety for people and fish, even if the heating cable is damaged. Dupla Heating System Dupla Fertilisation System, Duplarit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Adequate Lighting Light has a dual function for the aquarium: to illuminate the underwater world correctly for human eyes, and also to supply the necessary energy for plant growth. This second function of the lighting is a very important aspect within the complete biological and chemical process in the aquarium. Light supplies energy - and this is what plants need for optimum metabolism. Light is the aquarium's engine. It regulates the nutrient requirement, produces oxygen and also controls the discharge of by-products and metabolism products. Not just the quantity, but also the quality of the light is what counts. Therefore the lighting must be adapted to the size of the aquarium and also to the water, and living conditions in it. Dupla Lighting System For more detailed information refer to the article "Correct Lighting for Aquariums", AQUARIUM HEUTE 3/94. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Assured Water Stability What is meant is this: a neutral pH value and a stable carbonate hardness of minimum 3-4° dH. In a community aquarium, often fish from geographically and chemically differing waters are cared for. Some fishes come from more acidic, others from slightly alkaline waters. Therefore a neutral pH value setting is recommended as a happy medium for "every fish". A neutral pH value can be set and controlled by properly delivered CO2 fertilisation. Simultaneously, this provides an optimum carbon supply for submerged water plants. Dupla was the first company that offered high-quality CO2 fertilisation devices with semi and fully automatic regulation. Dupla CO2 System For more detailed information refer to the article "CO2 in the Aquarium - Significance and Application", AQUARIUM HEUTE 3/95. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Nature-like Plant Nutrition The most important pre-condition for healthy growth of aquarium plants is that at all times, all nutrients - including trace elements - are available for the plants. Contrary to tropical plant waters, our tap water has large nutrient deficiencies. Many important nutrients and trace elements are missing or extracted from the water during treatment at the waterworks. Furthermore, many nutrients - especially important trace elements - are completely consumed by the light or the plants in the aquarium. However, if just one nutrient is missing the plant growth is stunted or the plants even perish (Liebigs's law of minimums). Dupla's counter move for this problem is a clever fertilisation system: Dupla Fertilisation System For more detailed information refer to the articles: "How to Turn Tap Water Into Aquarium Water", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/93 (in German language only) "Iron - The Amazing Element in the Aquarium", AQUARIUM HEUTE 2/92 (in German language only), and "How to Properly Feed Aquarium Plants", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/94. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Biological Filtration "Biological" means filtration through a medium, where bacteria are able to colonise in order to remove harmful substances, thus cleaning the aquarium water. Special bacteria are even able to remove remains from chelators and over-fertilised chelates. The industrial sewage industry also makes use of this filtration technique on a grand scale. In this way the regeneration of sewage water up to the point of drinking water quality, is possible. Dupla's water treatment system offers all products that are necessary for bacteria-controlled water purification. Starting with the filter media (Biokaskade and Minikaskade) up to the specific bacteria (Duplabacter). The Dupla Water Treatment System For more detailed information please refer to the following articles: "From Tap Water to Aquarium Water. 1 - Organic Connections", AQUARIUM HEUTE 1/96 (in German language only). "Teething Problems with New Aquaria", AQUARIUM HEUTE 2/94. "The Consequences of Urea in the Water", AQUARIUM HEUTE 2/91 (in German language only). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Strong Water Movement Good water movement is essential for the following reasons: 1. to assure even temperatures in all water zones of the aquarium 2. to carry away organic waste materials from the plant leaves 3. to allow fresh nutrients to reach the leaves' surfaces 4. to provide a strong current for fish originating from rapid flowing streams. The Dupla Water Treatment System offers the proper Turbo pumps for good water movement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Dense Planting An optimum aquarium also requires dense and well growing plants, as a well planted aquarium has the following advantages: Plants release oxygen to the water and the substrate, thus preventing the substrate from turning black Plants remove organic waste materials Special aquarium plants are able to destroy disease causing germs ... and even remove toxic substances from the water Dense and well growing aquarium plants are the best protection against algae of all kinds ...and good hiding and spawning places for aquarium fish For further information please refer to the following articles: "How to Properly Feed Aquarium Plants", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/94. "Plea For the Open Aquarium", AQUARIUM HEUTE 2/96 (in German language only). A hint for the purchase of excellent aquarium plants: Europe's largest aquatic plant nursery, Tropica ApS in Denmark. Information from Tropica: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. Balanced Fish Population A balanced fish population goes hand in hand with the idea of providing both fish and plants with an environment that is optimally designed. In the optimum aquarium, fish and plants should be a harmonious combination. Here are some basic rules: Do not mix fish that attack each other continuously Avoid plant eating fish. Algae eating fish should be introduced as an algae preventative right from the start. Make sure that the fish all have the same water requirements, especially with regard to temperature, water hardness and pH value. Choose fish that occupy all areas of the aquarium, ie bottom, mid and surface zones Do not introduce add picky eaters if you are not sure that you will be able to provide them with the food they need. For further information please refer to the following articles: "Fish Against Algae", AQUARIUM HEUTE 3/83 (German only). "When to Introduce Fish Into the Aquarium", AQUARIUM HEUTE 2/93 (German only). "Everything About Algae", AQUARIUM HEUTE 3/93. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. Fish Care compatible with the Tropics Healthy and vital fish in the long run, depend on good vitamin-rich, and easily digestible fish food. As most tropical fish come from waters with very low salt levels, it is important to ensure that they receive very low salt food - otherwise intestinal diseases are almost inevitable. DuplaRin is a modern food concept for aquarium fish. It was developed after many years of research and trial work, together with leading scientists and diet physiologists. Dupla decided to offer DuplaRin in the form of granules, thus being able to provide a suitable food type for any fish and mouth size. Fish are 'bit eaters'! Moreover, DuplaRin is supplied in specific formulae as: extremely fine feed - DuplaRin Micro, and as tablets - Compretten and Haftys. The Dupla Fish Food System For further information please refer to the following articles: "Nutrition of Aquarium Fish", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/87 (German only). "Proper and Incorrect Nutrition of Aquarium Fish", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/94 (German only). "Natural Nutrition of Tropical Aquarium Fish - Consequences for Nutrition of Aquarium Fish", AQUARIUM HEUTE 1/95 (German only). "Carotinoides in Fish Food", AQUARIUM HEUTE 4/95 (German only). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Control of all Variables The regular control of important water parameters will prevent aquarium conditions from getting out of control unnoticed. This means in particuar, the regular testing of temperature, pH value, nitrite and nitrate content, carbonate hardness, iron, copper and phosphate levels. Compared to natural waters, an aquarium is a very small mass of water. Test values can go from one extreme to another within a short period of time. The aquarium however, requires a high degree of stability and continuity. For this reason Dupla has developed an analysis system that fulfils both a diagnostic and therapeutic function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garhan Posted December 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 People please take some of this as good reading. Opinions differ and so does experience. I like most of what Dupla publishes here. But for example IMHO th jury is still out on substrate heating coils. It is used in temperate climates on terrestrial plants, propogating seeds, etc... but generally as aquarists we do not grow most of our bog/marsh plants above water level. We have very few true aquatic plants on the market. Mind you there are really by comparison not that many aquaticlly true plants around the world. So if in natural conditions these bog/marsh plants may have a warmer substrate base than an aquarium does. IMO it would make good sense to insulate the bottom of your tank to minimize or limit heat loss, as opposed to keeping the cold out. Keeping the cold out should be handled mostly by the heated water being circulated. The bottom of the tank would recieve little to no circulation and heat would escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted December 16, 2004 Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 Mmmmm... Garhan and I can probably choose to disagree on this one. While I agree wtih some of what is said - other rules really bother me - like keeping a neutral pH. I prefer tap water in my planted tanks, for purely propagation purposes though, I do use RO as a base a ph in the 5.9-6.2 range, GH and KH in the 3-4 range. This is pretty optimal to grow MOST plants emersed (some plants that grow great in that setup - will do very poorly submersed in those same conditions). Personally here's what I preach: Low bioloads, lots of algae eaters (ottos, shrimp, SAEs etc) minimal feeding. Light Light Light! One can almost never have enough. CO2 is the most important macronutrient there is. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garhan Posted December 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 Andy I agree with your statements of plants. Light,C02 etc... Dupla is a read only matierial and a starting point for new plant keepers. Keep in mind most of Dupla's experience and setups are based on European water parameters. Good water is hard to come by in Europe. Homes are setup with limited drinking water sources and dunage water being the primary source for 90 % of the water requirements in a home. Europeans dont have access to good water like we do out of the tap at our sinks. This is a reflection on why dupal recommends there water parameters for a generalization, dur to poor good water quality source. To have the water at what we would consider good for aquaria work , they would purchase at a high cost. It would be a major bucket brigade. We are very lucky to have enough good water to waste dailey in our lives. Remember that grain of salt. Garhan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted December 18, 2004 Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 Thanks for posting. Good reference information. Smokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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