The well-being of both its inhabitants and the plants growing in it depends on how correctly the soil for the aquarium is selected and prepared. That is why the task of selecting and preparing soil is more difficult than it seems at first glance.
Instructions
Step 1
The main problem is that most aquarium fish only thrive in soft water. If the soil taken for the aquarium contains soluble calcium salts, they will gradually pass into the water and increase its hardness, which will negatively affect the inhabitants of the aquarium.
Step 2
That is why the algorithm “find a beautiful soil, rinse it, pour it into the aquarium” turns out to be wrong. Beautiful does not mean good, so you cannot use coral sand, small shell rock, marble chips for an aquarium, no matter how beautiful they look.
Step 3
Fine sand with a diameter of grains of sand smaller than 1 mm is also not suitable for an aquarium. Such soil will be too dense, almost impervious to water, and decay processes will surely begin in it. Plants do not feel well in such a soil, their leaves will be small and faded.
Step 4
Alternatively, in the case of using fine sand in the aquarium, you need to arrange a second plastic bottom with small holes drilled in it. The distance between the bottom of the aquarium and the second bottom is 1-2 cm. A fine mesh (not metal!) Is placed on the second bottom in two layers, sand is poured on it. Water is pumped out of the space under the second bottom by a pump, thereby ensuring its forced circulation through the ground. This second bottom is useful for any aquarium.
Step 5
The best choice for aquarium substrates is a shallow, 1 to 5 mm diameter gravel made of quartz or feldspar. Pour it into a basin, fill it with water, drain the floating debris. Then rinse with vigorous stirring until the water remains perfectly clear.
Step 6
In the event that there is a suspicion of a high calcium content, the soil must be additionally treated with hydrochloric acid, pouring it for a couple of hours in a plastic basin. Then it should be rinsed for at least half an hour with running water to remove all traces of acid. To check if there is calcium in the soil, splash it with hydrochloric acid or even ordinary vinegar. If bubbles appear, the soil needs to be acidified.
Step 7
The aquarium soil prepared in this way will not saturate the water with calcium salts, so its hardness will remain at an optimal level for a long time. Sometimes novice aquarists just add water instead of evaporated - this is wrong, as it leads to a gradual increase in the level of hardness. It is recommended not to top up, but to change at least 1/5 of the volume of all water in the aquarium weekly.
