A PRACTICAL GUIDE to your aquarium with World of Water £1

fTROPICAL fMARINE fCOLDWATER

From buying your aquarium to choosing and caring for your fi sh

www.worldofwater.com in association with practical

MAGAZINE www.practicalfi shkeeping.co.uk Contents World of Water is delighted to welcome you to this unique guide to setting up an aquarium. Happy fi shkeeping!

6 Welcome to the world of fi sh 24 Choosing your fi sh Indoor aquariums open the door to a myriad There are hundreds to choose from. So where do of opportunities and what could be the hobby of a you start? lifetime. 27 Healthy fi sh 10 Before you start ... Advice for keeping your fi sh disease free. Some of the things you’ll need to consider when 28 Aquarium maintenance choosing a tank for your fi sh. Maintenance is an essential part of keeping fi sh. 14 The importance of fi ltration 30 Marines made easy Why proper fi ltration is the secret So you think you’re ready to take the plunge with to success. marines? 16 What else do you need? 32 Get into marines What other equipment do you need and what What equipment will you need? does it do? 36 Choosing marine fi sh 18 Tropicals made easy Picking the right marine fi sh can be a bit of a We show you how to set up an aquarium in minefi eld. These are our recommended species. 11 easy steps. 38 Choosing your inverts 20 Choosing the decor New to reefkeeping? Here are some easy inverts. Now comes the fun part - there’s loads of choice. 40 Keeping your marine tank clean 22 5 ways to better plants What’s involved in the day-to-day running of your Five easy steps for better plant growth. marine set-up.

Produced by Practical Fishkeeping for World of Water. Practical Fishkeeping, Emap, Bushfi eld House, Orton Centre, Peterborough PE2 5UW Tel: 01733 237111 www.practicalfi shkeeping.co.uk

World of Water stores

■ BERKSHIRE ■ ESSEX ■ NOTTINGHAM ■ WATFORD 166 Hyde End Road, Shinfi eld, Reading. The Dutch Nursery, West Street, Coggeshall. Timmermans Garden Centre, Lowdham Lane, Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, Watford, Tel: 01189 885492 Essex. CO6 1NT Woodborough. Nottingham NG14 6DN. Hertfordshire WD4 8QG Tel 01923 270707 ■ BIRMINGHAM Tel: 01376 563836 Tel: 0115 9663333 ■ WEST SUSSEX Whitacre Garden Centre, Tamworth Road ■ GLOUCESTERSHIRE ■ OXFORDSHIRE Turners Hill Road, Worth, Crawley, West Sussex, Nether Whitacre, Coleshill, Birmingham. Highfi eld Garden World, Bristol Road, Bicester Avenue, Oxford Road, Bicester. OX25 RH10 4PE Tel: 01293 883237 B46 2DP Tel: 01675 481144 Whitminster. Gloucestershire. GL2 7PB 2NY Tel: 01869 322489 ■ WIDNES ■ BLACKPOOL Tel: 01452 741414 ■ RUGBY Rivendell Garden Centre, Mill Lane, Widnes Preston New Road, Westby, Nr Kirkham, Lancs ■ HAMPSHIRE Wyevale Garden Centre, Straight Mile, Cheshire, WA8 3UL Tel 0151 257 7701 PR4 3PE Tel: 01772 684129 Greatbridge Road, Romsey. Hants. SO51 0HB Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Frankton, Nr. Rugby ■ WILTSHIRE ■ CARDIFF Tel: 01794 515923 CV23 9QQ Tel: 01788 818890 Blooms of Bressingham, Hay Lane, Swindon, Blooms of Bressingham, Newport Road ■ KENT ■ STAINES Wiltshire. SN4 9QT Tel: 01793 853097 St. Mellons, Cardiff. CF3 2WJ Hastings Road, (A28), Rolvenden, Kent. 42 Wraysbury Road, Wraysbury, Staines, Tel: 029 20 770 770 TN17 4PL Tel: 01580 241771 Middlesex. TW19 6HA Tel: 01784 482146 ■ EAST SUSSEX ■ MANCHESTER ■ SURREY Ersham Road, Hailsham. East Sussex. Thorley Lane, Nr. Timperley Altrinham, Cheshire. Holloway Hill, Chertsey. Surrey ■ See our advert on the back page for BN27 2RH Tel: 01323 442400 WA15 7PJ Tel: 0161 903 9944 Tel: 01932 569690 more details.

Copyright 2007 Practical Fishkeeping magazine and World of Water. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievable system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Practical Fishkeeping and the partners of World of Water.

03 World of Water The UK’s leading Aquatic Superstores

orld of Water was founded in 1984 in Romsey, Hampshire, and has quickly risen to W become one of the UK’s largest and most successful aquatic retailers with branches throughout England and Wales. Wherever you are in the country the centres are well worth a visit, most with large tropical departments and now a number with extensive marine sections. Please see back page for listings. The Choice World of Water has a huge range of the latest aquarium kits to make life easy for the beginner, whilst also showcasing state-of-the-art equipment to tantalise even the most seasoned aquarist. Products shown in this guide are readily available but we would suggest you phone ahead if you are travelling far. Help at Hand Each World Of Water Tropical department is staffed by highly experienced fi shkeepers who are only too happy to advise on any requirements you may have, whether you are a beginner or hobbyist. The Value World of Water believe in value, you’ll fi nd most products in this guide at permanently low prices. This Guide We hope this guide will prove useful for all those who enjoy the wonderful hobby of fi sh keeping. Please remember, this guide can only cover a small fraction of the enormous range of products available at World of Water, so a trip is always worthwhile.

www.worldofwater.com 5 Welcome world to the of fish

If you picked up a magazine or entered a World of Water store you will already have had an insight into the world of fi shkeeping. Indoor aquariums open the door to a myriad of opportunities and what could be the hobby of a lifetime.

Platy Siamese fi ghter Fancy goldfi sh

Neil Hepworth Neil Hepworth Neil

ALWAYS FIND OUT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT A FISH BEFORE YOU BUY IT, TO ENSURE IT’S COMPATIBLE WITH THE REST OF YOUR FISH – AND THAT IT TIPWON’T GROW TOO BIG FOR YOUR AQUARIUM! 6 Neil Hepworth

The Goldfi sh Bowl / photomax.org.uk species givebirth tolive,fully fi sh, where thefemalesof how aboutsomelivebearing you wouldliketobreedfi sh, aquarium fi sh canbebred?If Did youknowthatlotsof of tinyfi The pitterpatter enthralling pastime. can soonevolveintoanall your fi rst stepintofi shkeeping complicated asyoulike,and You canmakeitaseasyor much morethanjustvistas. weeks. own thatverythingwithin a fewsimplesteps,youcould rainbow? Andjustbyfollowing displaying allthecoloursof full ofhappycontentedfi sh more relaxingthananaquarium to lowerstress.Whatcouldbe room –ithasalsobeenproven enhance thelookofyourliving Keeping fi sh cannotonly Benefi aspect ofthehobbywithease. and guideyouthroughevery sure yougetitrightfi rst time World ofWater branchtomake are alwaysonhandatevery full listing.) (Please checkbackpagefor of aquariumstogetyoustarted. superstores stockawiderange budgets, andWorld ofWater of allages,skillsand and fi sh tosuiteveryone. marine reefs,thereisatank planted aquaria,tothestunning simple goldfi sh togreen, encompasses itall.From for oranewpet,aquatics aquarium thatyouarelooking Whether it’sadecorative A worldofchoice Neon tetras Neon tetra But anaquariumcanoffer Friendly, experiencedstaff Aquatics cansuitpeople ts ns

breed. offering somewhere forfi sh to water qualityandeven them withshelter, aiding fi sh ofalltypes,providing comfort ofyouarmchair. natural-looking scenefromthe habitat areusedtocreatea and fi sh fromthesamenatural aquarium whereplants,décor patience. extra equipmentandalittle with theaidofsome aquascapes canbecreated available andbeautifulplanted A rangeofaquaticplantsare about aplantedaquarium? fi ngered amongyou,how For themoregreen- gardeners Underwater created. a marinescenecaneasilybe sand, Oceanortufarockand the plunge.Decoratewithcoral tank, butaren’treadytotake who wantthelookofamarine cichlid tanksaregreatforthose in whichtheybreed.African bright patternsandtheway popular becauseoftheir Tanganyika arevery of LakesMalawiand educational too. be awonderfulsight,and furnished aquariumcan a shoaloffryaround a pairofKribensisherd from otherfi sh. Watching them andtheyoungfry fi sh layeggsandprotect colourful, intelligent some cichlids?These store. units areavailablein foods andbreeding formed young.Special Live plantscanbenefi t Or howaboutabiotope The colourfulcichlids Or whatabout ■ Amazon Bay it foryou–andalwaysatcompetitiveprices. simple pairofclownfi sh, ourmarinestoreswilleitherhaveit,orcanget own displayathome. displays willprovideyouwiththeinspirationthatneedtocreateyour slice oftheIndo-Pacifi c, weareheretoguideyouandourin-store from fi tocorals. sh toinvertebrates youneedtosucceed everything selected World ofWater storescarry inthehome.Therehasneverbeenabettertimetokeepmarinesand The ultimateaquaticexperienceformanyisreplicatingalivecoralreef KEEP MARINES Whether it’srarecoralsandunusualfi sh thatareyourthing,ora Whether it’sasmallaquariumthatyouarelookingfororfull-blown exclusively atWorld ofWater. Amazon tankrangeavailable Amazon Classic Darkwood Amazon Bow Clownfi sh

7 Neil Hepworth Practical Fishkeeping is Britain’s best-selling fi shkeeping magazine.

It’s published 13 times a year (every four weeks) and includes practical features on keeping fi sh, aquatic plants and invertebrates, in tropical, marine and coldwater aquaria as well as ponds. Practical Fishkeeping brings you: ■ Inspiration ■ Features and photography on the fi sh you know – and those you don’t! ■ Information ■ The latest aquatic news ■ Ask the experts – We help you sort out your fi shkeeping problems ■ Good gear guide – New equipment on the fi shkeeping front, plus hard-hitting buyer’s guides

... and much more!

To subscribe, please visit the Practical Fishkeeping website: www.practicalfi shkeeping.co.uk

00 Before you

Once you have decided what species of fi sh you wish to keep, you’ll need to provide them with a suitable home. Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider when choosing a tank for your fi sh.

ake a minute to could weigh the same as three consider what sort of grown men once set up, and fi sh you wish to keep they should never be moved T and their requirements. when fi lled. Marine systems use specialist Check that the area is level marine equipment, so if buying with a spirit level before you fi ll a bare tank check fi rst that the it up. Even empty tanks can be extra equipment can be fi tted. heavy so make sure that you Live plants and corals need have lots of help available to lift bright light, so again, check that it into position when you get it the light fi ttings supplied will do home. the job. Aquarium Tank size furniture Fish can vary in size so the Most larger aquariums will have right tank must be chosen matching furniture to stand the accordingly. Always buy the tank on and a matching or built biggest tank that you can afford in hood that accommodates the as larger volumes of water are lighting. Whether you want slick, more stable and will hold more silver fi nishes or something to fi sh. match the dresser we have the As a rough guide, an tank for you, and many designs aquarium should be at least six are available in several colours times the adult length of the fi sh for that purpose. and bear in mind that But there are added benefi ts some territorial fi sh need lots from choosing proper stands of space if they are to live with and cabinets as they can others. complement the tank and they are fi t for purpose. Whichever tank you choose, speak to a Weight member of staff instore. They the fi lter can be accessed away is at an absolute premium, a Aquariums are very heavy when will be able to recommend the from the main tank with minimal square nano tank may be for fi lled with water so they must best type of cabinet to suit that disturbance to the fi sh. you and can be placed in the be placed on a suitable level tank. offi ce or kitchen without taking surface and combined with a Cabinets can be used to up any more room than a strong, specially made stand. store and disguise equipment Design small, portable television. Nano A Juwel Vision 180 aquarium too. Large aquariums and This is where you can let your tanks have come on leaps and holds 180 litres when fi lled. cabinets often come with imagination run wild. If you bounds too, with models not Each litre weighs one kilo, so doored cabinets to place an can think of a shape, there only being suitable for small add that to the weight of the external fi lter, and a shelf to is probably a tank to match tropical and coldwater fi sh but tank, the gravel, the décor and store food and medications. – but some designs are more also marines. the cabinet and the whole thing This not only looks neater but suitable than others. If space If the traditional style goldfi sh

BIGGER AQUARIUMS ARE EASIER TO MAINTAIN AS LARGER BODIES OF WATER ARE MORE STABLE. TIPTHEY ALSO ALLOW YOU TO KEEP MORE FISH! 10 www.worldofwater.com start... AVAILABLE FROM WORLD OF WATER

bowl still catches your eye, what about the BiOrb from Reef One, with integral fi lter and lighting options? You can even swap the top and bottom trim for a whole range of fashionable colours. The design and fi lter included in the BiOrb makes it a more suitable, modern choice than the goldfi sh ● bowl, and you will achieve The Tankmaster guides by much better results with Interpet are excellent books for more ease. beginners. The ideal shape for any aquarium is one that is longer than it is tall so that the fi sh can exercise by swimming from one side to the other. Fish are adapted to swim horizontally, like in a shallow stream, so standard rectangles and bow-fronted aquariums offer them the most swimming space and have the largest surface areas for oxygen exhange. If you want a large volume, ● 500 Ways to be a better and a great focal point, how Tropical Fishkeeper will offer about a corner aquarium? lots of tips and advice. These bow-fronted tanks will grace any room, and with lots of depth they look great when decorated.

Where to position that tank Ideally you should choose a spot where the aquarium becomes a focal point for the room. It needs to be a permanent position - you certainly won’t want to move it every few months. ● Interpet Manual of Fish Health. No fi shkeeper should be without this it. TOP TIPS TO PLACE YOUR TANK

DO place it in a room that is used often, such as the living room. This way your fi sh become part and parcel of your life - and you get to enjoy them every day. DO make sure there are power points within easy access. DO choose a spot that allows easy access. It’s no fun carrying out maintenance in a cramped space. DON’T position it where the fi sh are likely to be frightened by children or pets dashing around. DON’T put it next to a window as the sunlight can cause algae to form on the glass. Too much sun such as in a conservatory can also cause the water to overheat. DON’T position your aquarium near doors or radiators - draughts and central heating will affect the temperature of the water. The fi sh may also be upset by the noise and vibration caused by doors ● Choose your fi sh from this being opened and closed frequently. handy, mini encyclopedia. 11 Watch that filtration If there is one thing your fi sh need, it’s fi ltration. Get this right, and you’re heading strongly in the direction of success.

Congo tetra Neil Hepworth

he fi lter is the life- and breaks down fi sh waste. fi lter media include sponge and include ceramic and plastic support system of Without fi ltration aquarium fi lter wool, or fl oss. balls or rings. Sponge will any aquarium. Fish water would quickly become Biological fi ltration is also work as a biological fi lter T produce pollution from cloudy and smelly. Worse, perhaps the most important once colonised with benefi cial breathing and defecating, and your fi sh could go off their to the fi shkeeper as without it bacteria. if not removed or broken down, food, become ill and even fi sh could die from ammonia Chemical fi ltration is often that pollution can kill fi sh as die. Unfi ltered aquariums are poisoning. To fi lter biologically, used to fi ne-tune aquarium they are not equipped to swim fraught with water quality issues we use porous media with a water. The most well-known and survive in their own waste. and may cause the untimely large surface area, but that is chemical fi lter is carbon, or In nature, fi sh waste products death of any fi sh. not what does the fi ltering – it’s charcoal. Carbon absorbs like toxic ammonia are diluted what is living on that media that impurities from water and by the sheer volume of water or is important. makes it crystal clear and swept away downstream. In the Filter media Biological media provides odour free. Activated carbon is aquarium water volumes are When it comes to fi ltering water, a home for naturally occurring better as it is more porous and limited and we cannot change it can be done in three ways: nitrifying bacteria. The more has a higher surface area. water constantly, so we employ mechanically, biologically and media you provide, the greater Resins are also used as a bit of engineering and a little chemically. Mechanical fi lters the surface area and more chemical fi lters and can be help from Mother Nature to do trap debris and particles in bacteria can live there. used to remove phosphate, the job of fi ltration. the water. When they have Biological fi lter media should nitrate and other organic trapped lots of debris they never be washed under the tap pollutants like ammonia. They may clog and stop the pump as chlorine and chloramine will can be used alongside other Benefi ts from working, so they must be kill the bacteria that you need to fi lter media, and phosphate Filtration keeps the water cleaned or replaced regularly. purify the tank water. Examples and nitrate resins can be used clear, aerates it in some cases, Common forms of mechanical of biological fi lter media to control algae.

NEVER CLEAN YOUR FILTER SPONGE OR ANY OTHER FILTER MEDIA UNDER THE TAP AS THE CHLORINE IN THE TAPWATER WILL KILL ALL THE BENEFICIAL BACTERIA. INSTEAD, GIVE THE MEDIA TIPA RINSE IN THE BUCKET OF TANK WATER THAT YOU’VE REMOVED DURING YOUR WATER CHANGE. 14 Types of fi lter

Filters can be divided into with additional chemical fi lter with no disturbance to the internal and external, and media and separate biological fi sh. The best fi lters are those power fi lters and air-powered media. that come with a priming fi lters. Internal fi lters sit inside mechanism, meaning that www.worldofwater.com the tank whereas external ● External power fi lters they are easy to fi ll and get fi lters sit underneath the tank The traditional external fi lter going straight away. AVAILABLE FROM in a cabinet, hang on the back consists of a sealed canister WORLD OF WATER of the tank, or can be built into connected to the aquarium ● Air-powered fi lters the hood above the waterline. by an inlet pipe and an outlet Air-powered fi lters are now pipe. External fi lters are larger largely a thing of the past, ● Internal power fi lters and more powerful than most but they still have their uses. These are by far the most internal fi lters and can hold a Air-powered fi lters are less popular and are most suited lot more media, offering better powerful than power fi lters so to small tanks and beginners. cleaning and supporting more they create a more gentle fl ow A water pump sits on top of fi sh. and are less likely to suck up a small canister containing The superior power of small fi sh. Because of this, sponge, and water is drawn external fi lters makes them air-powered sponge fi lters through the sponge, trapping suitable for large aquaria; are popular with fi sh breeders debris and breaking down heavily stocked aquaria like and air pumps consume low waste. African cichlid tanks; and amounts of electricity, offering Some internal power large fi sh. External fi lters are low running costs. fi lters come with adjustable designed to hold a variety Undergravel air-powered fl ow and an aeration device of mechanical, biological fi lters were once popular called a venturi, which and chemical media and are but they may hinder plant blows bubbles into the versatile so can be packed growth. Undergravels can ● Aqua One external fi lter fi ts in water. Although traditionally with the media of your choice. be upgraded by fi tting a the cabinet underneath the tank available just as mechanical Being fi tted underneath the powerhead. and provides powerful fi ltration. and biological fi lters, new aquarium, it provides ease hi-tech internal fi lters come of access and maintenance

● Interpet Easy Test is an easy-to-use tablet test kit. It’s great value too.

● Interpet undergravel fi lter is a simple, air powered fi lter that fi ts discretely under the gravel.

GET IT Which one is best for me? ● Interpet PF3 MATURED! internal power fi lter Filter choice can depend on your budget, As good as any fi lter is, when Dual action experience and the sort of fi sh that you wish to you buy it new it will be sterile. fi ltration and keep. You cannot over-fi lter, so the bigger the Filters need time to mature powerful aeration. and colonise with bacteria, better is the order of the day. Simple to maintain. and in that time they will not Rotating head for External fi lters can be more expensive to buy support a full stocking of fi sh. directional control. and slightly more technical to set up, but they are Always add a maturation fl uid the best for your fi sh. to a new tank and new fi lters, For small nano tanks, an internal power fi lter and test water regularly to monitor progress. will be fi ne. 15 What else do you need? So if you want to keep fi sh, what other equipment do you need and what does it do?

Lighting is essential for successful plant growth.

Lighting tubes and they can range from a single, Live plants may need two or more All living organisms are adapted to a daily standard tube to power compact, light tubes to aid their growth, and some cycle of light and dark. In the tropics, it is high output or multiple light tubes in marine corals are demanding of very sunny nearly every day and fi sh, plants “luminaires” which span across open- bright light so use T5 or metal halide and corals are adapted to take advantage topped tanks. lighting for them of that light. Choose from standard T8, high- Although benefi cial, too much lighting Artifi cial light can be used to enhance powered T5 or the incredible brightness can cause nuisance algae to grow so it fi sh colours and aid plant growth. of suspended metal halide lighting. Any should be on for no longer than 10-12 Because of the close proximity to water, lighting can be further enhanced by the hours per day. Plug lighting into a timer so we use lighting that is splash-proof and addition of a refl ector, which can increase it comes on daily and at the same time. light tubes that are specifi cally designed the brightness considerably. Keep refl ectors and cover glasses for aquatic use. The most common For multiple lighting without all the clean, and replace light tubes every 12 form of lighting available is fl uorescent cabling, twin light starter units can used. months.

MATCH THE LIGHTING TO YOUR LIVESTOCK. IF MAXIMUM COLOURATION IS YOUR THING GO FOR HAGEN POWERGLO OR INTERPET TRIPLUS. THIS WILL ENHANCE FISH COLOURS FROM THE RED AND ORANGE OF GOLDFISH TO THE BLUE AND YELLOW OF MALAWI CICHLIDS. FOR MARINES, ALWAYS TIP CHOOSE MARINE LIGHTING AS CORALS NEED LIGHT OF THE RIGHT SPECTRUM IN ORDER TO THRIVE. 16 Coldwater fi sh have high oxygen requirements and need increased fi ltration.

www.worldofwater.com AVAILABLE FROM WORLD OF WATER

● Tronic heater Submersible aquarium heater with safety shut-off. Available in sizes from 50-300W.

Heating prefer it a little warmer. Use into the water. It can be Heating is essential if you wish a thermometer to check how diffused through an airstone, to keep tropical fi sh. Although warm your water is. producing thousands of tiny ● TetraMin our climate is seemingly Heaters can be delicate bubbles, or put to use making Holiday getting warmer, it is still not so don’t take them out of an ornament move. No matter Gel-based warm enough for tropical the water when they are still how you introduce air to the food block that fi sh to survive, even indoors, plugged in, or knock them aquarium, the fi sh will benefi t. doesn’t contain without additional heating. against rocks. A whole range of air plaster. Feeds for To heat water we use a To protect your heater, place accessories are available up to 14 days. heater/thermostat. It’s an it inside a heater guard. Read from spare parts to splitters, all-in-one device that regulates temperature more accurately connecters and valves that temperature in the aquarium with a digital thermometer. enable complete control. by way of a heating element However, if you don’t want Whichever size or style of and a built-in thermostat, and tropical fi sh, temperate fi sh airpump you choose, anything it can be set to your desired are available – and these don’t is better than nothing, and temperature. need heaters. fi sh and fi lter bacteria will Heaters come in different benefi t. Look instore for a sizes for different sizes of range of aeration features, aquaria – usually from 25 Aeration air accessories and action watts to 300 watts, and will Oxygen is vital for fi sh and ornaments. Leave aeration cover any length of tank in some aquariums, it may running 24/7, and run extra from 30cm to 200cm long. be lacking. Aeration can be aeration when adding ● Interpet T5 For larger aquaria or tanks added by agitating the water medicine or dealing with very lighting placed in cool areas, more vigorously with a power fi lter hot weather conditions. T5 power than one heater can be used or by using additional aeration Large airstones and compact lighting simultaneously. from an airpump. multiple air-operated features offers up to three Set the heater to 24oC for Traditional airpumps sit require large pumps. Ask for times the light community fi sh. Some South outside the aquarium and assistance to choose the best output of ordinary American fi sh like Discus pump air along tubing airpump for your needs. tubes. Available in a wide range to suit all types When you go away on holiday of fi sh. Food blocks are available to feed choose the Tetra Holiday and your fi sh when you go away. Weekend foodsticks. TetraMin Holiday gel-based formula For added convenience, how provides up to two weeks’ food for about an automatic feeder? tropical or coldwater fi sh, giving These timed, battery-operated you the peace of mind that they will devices dispense food at regular be in top condition on your return. intervals when you are away, and The Tetra foods don’t contain can be used with virtually any dry plaster like some do and won’t aquarium foods. You could even ● Aqua One air pump cloud the water. If you are going use an automatic feeder when you The SR series of air pumps is away for a shorter period of time, are at work. available in models from 150lph to a whopping 1900 lph. 17 Tropicals made easy

So you want to keep tropical Safety tip fi sh? We show you how to Don’t turn set up and decorate the your heater on aquarium in 11 easy steps. until it’s under water.

The 180 litre tank is a good sized tank for both tropicals or marines. The model we have chosen, in dark wood, comes with twin lighting, a 200 watt heater and a 600lph internal fi lter. 1The fi lter comes with a coarse sponge, fi ne sponges, a nitrate removal pad, a carbon pad and a fi ne poly pad.

We’ve added a background picture to the tank to complement the We want good results with live plants and that means adding plants and fi sh. This 3D rocky background is reversible and can a substrate fertiliser. This Tetra Complete Substrate should be be simply stuck on the back with clear double-sided tape. Trim poured over the base of the tank, before you add any gravel. 2 the edges for a neat fi t. The fi lter media can be removed from 3 packaging and fi tted as directed. For good plant growth, replace the carbon pad with another sponge as carbon can remove plant food. Photography: Neil Hepworth Choose a gravel that will not alter the water chemistry and is The “hardscape” is the next thing to be added. A combination of safe for use with plants. Wash it to remove any dust and cover real bogwood and replica wood has been selected and two large the Tetra substrate completely, to a depth of 5cm/2”. pieces have been placed in the tank. The bogwood has been 4 5 rinsed to remove any dust. 18 The hardscape is fi nished off by two pieces of carved lava rock. Half-fi ll the tank ready for planting. Use a hosepipe or buckets We have placed it in a pile, to the right of centre, where it will – we’ve used the lid from the Tetra Complete Substrate to defl ect complement the bright green, low-growing plants. Again, rinse it the water so as not to disturb the gravel too much. Dechlorinate 67before putting it in the tank. the water, making it safe to add the plants.

Plant the taller, background plants fi rst. We’ve planted Vallisneria Test water and mature the tank before adding any fi sh. Add a in one corner, and twisted Vallis in the other. We’ve used fi lter maturation fl uid, a liquid plant food and how about a CO Cabomba as a space fi ller and some Amazon swords toward 2 system for better plant growth? This simple CO2 device from 89the midground to make a feature.Continue fi lling any gaps with Tetra is easy to use and suitable for beginners. You should notice other fast-growing plants. We’ve added some red Alternathera the benefi t within a few weeks of fi tting it. and some dark green Egeria. The Vallis, Egeria and Cabomba will grow quickly, taking up nutrients and helping to prevent algae.

With everything in place, leave it for a week before adding The fi nished tank with community fi sh, clear water and any fi sh, then add a small number of hardy fi sh and growing plants. We’ve chosen a selection of fi sh to occupy continue to test while ammonia and nitrite peak, and then all levels of the tank and live in harmony with each other. Add 10return to zero. More sensitive fi sh should be added later on. 11 them in stages to allow the biological fi lter to catch up. SETTING UP AND AQUASCAPING A NEW AQUARIUM IS A FUN JOB AND ALL THE FAMILY WILL ENJOY BEING INVOLVED. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME ONTHE TIPDAY AND DON’T RUSH IT. BUT MOST OF ALL ENJOY IT. 19 The right combination of décor will make your tank come alive.

Choosing the décor Once the aquarium has been placed and the equipment fi tted comes the fun part – decorating it – and there is loads of choice!

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

DARK SUBSTRATES ENHANCE FISH COLOURS AND MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME. FINE GRAINED GRAVELS CAN MAKE A TANK LOOK LARGER, AND ARE BETTER TIP FOR PLANT GROWTH. 20 and won’t displace so much water. Even the less-realistic ornaments will be used by fi sh to hide, feed and breed, and a small catfi sh will happily take up residence in a replica hollow log or a sunken ship. www.worldofwater.com Combine aquatic ornaments with plastic plants for a low- AVAILABLE FROM maintenance, long-lasting look. WORLD OF WATER Backgrounds The fi nishing touch to any aquascape is often the background. Along with lighting and gravel choice, the background can really help illustrate the theme of the tank, ● Decorative background paper and put the fi sh at ease. from Rolf C Hagen. Choose from plain blue or black, to planted, to rocky, to 3D, or even structured effective at removing tannins, cichlids of Lakes Malawi and backgrounds. No matter what so the regular replacement of Tanganyika, or for simple fi sh- the size of your tank, we have a carbon in your fi lter will help only marine tanks. background to fi t. keep the water crystal clear. Rocks are heavy so place them carefully. Put the rocks in fi rst and then move the gravel Structured Rocks around them so that they backgrounds It is hard to fi nd any natural cannot be undermined by the The ultimate in background waterway that doesn’t contain digging action of the fi sh. design, structured rocks of some kind. From backgrounds are realistic and smooth pebbles in streams to make your fi sh feel right at the large boulders of African Ornaments home. They also make a great Rift Lakes, they all play a part World of Water stock a massive backdrop for live plants and in the visual features of that selection of ornaments other decorative features. ● Aqua One plastic plants. habitat and a home for fi sh. comprising action ornaments, Choose Juwel or Aqua With few exceptions, any replica wood and rocks, kids’ One structured backgrounds rocks can be used in freshwater ornaments and everything in to imitate sunken trees or aquariums, and World of Water between. river banks and add another stock many different kinds to Aquatic ornaments have dimension to your aquascape. help you create an underwater the advantage of being safe The natural, muted colours aquascape. for use with fi sh, and your of structured backgrounds Some rocks like Tufa and imagination can run away with complement the fi sh and can Ocean rock affect water quality you as you can create under- be fi tted to most designs of by making the water hard and water cities, brightly coloured tank with ease. Place them in alkaline with a high pH. This fantasy islands or naturalistic the tank fi rst and stick them into makes them unsuitable choices aquascapes from replicas. place with aquarium silicone. for most community tanks, Ornaments are often lighter Ask a World of Water staff but they can be used with the than natural wood or rocks member if you are unsure. ● Fun, action ornaments from Aqua One. Plecs enjoy grazing on bogwood, and it’s good for them too.

● Classic aquarium ornaments.

21 ways to 5better plants Do you like live plants but want better results? World of Water shows you fi ve easy steps for better plant growth.

LIGHTING SUBSTRATE Light is a FERTILISERS fundamental Once gravel has been requirement for chosen, a fertiliser must all plants. Light be added to provide the must be provided plants with their food. As in the correct wavelength good as any sand, gravel or grit is, and colour temperature for they are mostly sterile so they need a plants to photosynthesize, substrate fertiliser in order to allow the and on for the right duration plants to take up nutrients. throughout the day. Some very hardy plants like Egeria Most of our plants come take nutrients from the water and will from the brightly lit areas of survive in sterile substrates, but most the tropics, and we need aquatic plants like Vallisneria, Amazon to replicate that in our Sword plants and Cryptocoryne need aquariums if they are to food. Compare your substrate and thrive. plants to those in your garden. Few, if Add refl ectors to any, will survive in a pot of gravel, and standard T8 tubes or use instead need soil. high-powered T5 tubes to Special aquatic soils, eg Tetra provide suffi cient light, and Complete Substrate, are available that usually means two or from World of Water along with more light tubes per tank. fertiliser tablets and powders to make As a rough guide, sure you achieve good results. Tetra best plant growth will be Complete Substrate is an excellent provided by 0.5 watts of substrate fertiliser and will help you on light energy per litre, or SUBSTRATE your way to successful plant growth. 50 watts of lighting per Proper substrate choice can mean the There is another element that aids 100 litres of water. difference between success and failure growth of aquatic plants. The colour temperature with plants. Plants need substrate to anchor A heating cable is a low-wattage of artifi cial lighting is and to take up nutrients, and the substrate cable that is placed under the gravel, important for plants, needs to be of the right grade and depth to amongst the fertiliser or soil. It doesn’t so check the colour be able to do just that. need to be controlled by a thermostat temperature (measured in Fine substrates of between one and fi ve millimetre and is not warm enough to heat the Kelvin or “K”) when you buy diameter are best, with three millimetre being a good tank by itself. your next light tubes. average size. The particle size of substrates is important Instead, heating cables provide Plants grow best in because too coarse, and nutrients are washed away, gentle convection currents in the colour temperatures and if it’s too fi ne, the gravel can become anaerobic and substrate and turn your gravel into a of between 2000 and the roots will rot. Always make sure that the gravel is pH slow propagater, gently warming the 10,000K. This can be neutral, or inert, as most plants do not do well in very roots and easing the movement of catered for by Hagen hard, alkaline water. Layer gravel to a depth of between nutrients. SunGlo, LifeGlo, or Flora 5 and 10 cm to enable the plants to send down roots. Heating cables are not essential, Glo. Plug lighting into a This deeper-than-average substrate depth should not be but they have been the key to timer and set it to come on vacuumed too heavily as any fertilisers will be removed. success in many Dutch-style planted for 10-12 hours per day. Use a combination of algae-eating and substrate-feeding aquariums for the past few decades. catfi sh to keep your gravel clean.

ALL THE BEST PLANTED AQUARIUMS IN THE WORLD USE A COMBINATION OF THE RIGHT SUBSTRATE, TIP FERTILISERS, LIGHTING AND CO2. GIVE IT A TRY, YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED! 22 LIQUID Five FERTILISERS Liquid fertilisers are meant to plant profi les top up any defi ciencies that may occur in the water. As ■ Name: Amazon sword, plants grow, various essential Echinodorus bleheri elements may be used up like iron, and www.worldofwater.com Origin: South America the regular addition of a liquid fertilser Size: 45cm/18” can help make up any defi ciencies. AVAILABLE FROM Water parameters: pH 6-8, Add liquid fertilisers on either a weekly WORLD OF WATER temp 20-30°C Amazon sword or daily basis, and their ease of use Lighting: One or more and proven results often mean that they fl uorescent tubes are the fi rst tool used to aid better plant Notes: Amazon swords are growth in any freshwater aquarium. large plants for the midground and come in a variety of sizes and Use as directed as overdosing may colours. They send out long roots and need to be planted in a cause algae. Liquid fertilisers are good nutritous substrate. Combine with algae-eating fi sh to keep the for when your plant leaves look a little large leaves free of algae. yellow. Use as part of a complete fertilsation and lighting package for best ■ Name: Vallis, Vallisneria spp. results. Origin: Widespread throughout the world Size: Up to 180cm long depending on species, but CARBON usually shorter. DIOXIDE Water parameters: This is without doubt the pH 6-8.5, temp 15-30°C biggest breakthrough in plant Lighting: One or more aquaculture over the past fl uorescent tubes few years. Carbon is one of the Notes: Vallis looks like basic building blocks for all life, and when ● long grass and it is usually presented to plants in a way they can use, TetraPlant CO2 Optimat planted at the back of the the results can be spectacular. A simple CO2 system which aquarium, where the long To understand the benefi ts of carbon uses an aerosol-type CO2 leaves fl ow in moving water. dioxide we must fi rst look at photosynthesis. canister. Nothing to activate It can get long and spread In the daytime, plants absorb carbon dioxide or plug in, making it very easy Vallis by runner, but the additional (CO2) and produce oxygen. They use the to use. shade provided by the carbon that they have absorbed to build their surface leaves may help to structures and to grow. ● Multi tool surpress algae underneath. Hardy and undemanding. In the aquarium, CO2 can be defi cient in This handy the day time as fi ltration and aeration drive piece of kit ■ Name: Java fern off CO2 – good for fi sh but not so good for picks up Origin: South-east Asia plants. By adding CO through a diffuser, debris from the Java fern 2 Size: 30cm /12” more CO2 is available in the water for plants aquarium and Water parameters: pH 6-8, and they will not only survive, but thrive. also cuts and temp 20-30°C CO2 can be added to the aquarium safely plants. Lighting: Suitable for low- by use of a fermentation kit (like the Nutrafi n lighting conditions system) or from a pressurised system (like

Notes: Java fern has a very the Hydor kits). Individual CO2 bubbles are natural look and can be added to the water in a way that is safe tied to wood or rocks for for the fi sh, and the plants repay us by good effect. Its tough leaves producing extra oxygen for the fi sh, fi ghting ● withstand even plant-eating algae and soaking up nitrate and phosphate. Nutrafi n fi sh in some cases, and it grows happily in conditions that are Plant Gro unsuitable for most other plants. Plant food to help your ■ Name: Crypts, Cryptocoryne spp. aquarium Origin: South-east Asia bloom. Size: 10-20cm/4-8” Water parameters: pH 6-8, temp 20-30°C Lighting: One or more fl uorescent tubes Notes: Crypts are commonly used to plant the foreground and their compact, rosette shape and ease of growing has made them popular. They are slow growing and appreciate substrate fertilisers. Cryptocoryne sp. ■ Name: Green cabomba, Cabomba caroliniana Origin: America Size: Up to 90cm Water parameters: pH 6-8, temp 15-30°C Lighting: Two or more fl uorescent tubes Notes: Cabomba is a good space fi ller, and it’s good at hiding equipment like heaters and fi lters too. It’s a fast grower in bright light and only needs a liquid food added to the water. Egg- ● Tetra Complete Substrate scattering fi sh may use it for cover and for scattering their eggs This substrate fertiliser is over, but don’t combine it with large, destructive fi sh. Green cabomba designed to help you get good plant growth. 23 Choosing your fi sh Defi nitely the best bit about setting up a new tank – but there are hundreds to choose from, so where do you start?

Before you buy

As tempting as tropical fi sh are, you must research their individual requirements before you buy. Check the eventual size and water requirements of each species, and whether they will suit your tank and mix with the other species on your list. The expert staff at World of Water can help you make the right choice. Always test the water before adding any fi sh.

■ Name: Angelfi sh, Pterophyllum scalare Origin: South America Size: 10 cm/4” Minimum tank size: 90 cm/36”, 100 l./ 22 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 24-28°C Comments: Angelfi sh are tall fi sh that require tall tanks. Their long fi ns are vulnerable from attack by fi n-nipping fi sh, and they may eat small fi sh like Neon tetras. Keep with other medium to large, peaceful fi sh.

■ Name: Kribensis, Pelvicachromis pulcher ■ Name: Ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Origin: West Africa Origin: South America Size: 10 cm/4” Size: 5 cm/2” Minimum tank size: 60 cm/24”, 60 l./ 14 gal capacity Minimum tank size: 45 cm/18”, 30 l./ 7 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 24-28°C Water conditions: pH 6-7, Temp 24-30°C Comments: Kribensis are peaceful dwarf cichlids that form pairs and may Comments: Rams are beautiful dwarf cichlids but they do need soft acidic breed, with the adults tending the young. Male ‘Kribs’ are slightly larger with water with a low pH if they are to thrive. Combine with small, peaceful tetras longer fi ns and females are shorter, with a pink belly. Furnished aquariums in a well planted tank and feed a variety of frozen foods. suit them best with live plants and rocky retreats. 24 Name: Siamese fi ghter, Betta splendens Origin: Thailand Size: 5 cm/2” Minimum tank size: 30 cm/12”, 15 l./ 3 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 26-30°C Comments: Siamese fi ghters are best kept in Name: Neon tetra, Paracheirodon inessi small tanks with gentle Origin: South America 1 fi ltration, and away from Size: 3 cm/1 /4” fi sh that may try to nip their Minimum tank size: 30 cm/12”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity fi ns. They like to be warmer Water conditions: pH 6-7, Temp 24-28°C than most other tropical Comments: Neon tetras are one of the world’s most popular aquarium fi sh. fi sh. Never keep males They are a shoaling fi sh, so keep in groups of at least fi ve, preferably more. together as they will fi ght Don’t keep with large or boisterous fi sh as they may be eaten. Well-decorated and may kill each other. tanks suit them best, with live plants for cover.

■ Name: Cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi Origin: South America ■ Name: Rosy barb, Puntius conchonius 1 Size: 4 cm/1 /2” Origin: India Minimum tank size: 30 cm/12”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity Size: 10 cm/4” Water conditions: pH 6-7, Temp 24-30°C Minimum tank size: 75 cm/30”, 80 l./ 18 gal capacity Comments: Cardinal tetras are some of the most beautiful tropical fi sh Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 18-28°C available. Best in shoals of six or more, they appreciate warm, soft, acidic Comments: Rosy barbs are hardy, colourful and suitable for unheated, water with a low pH. Treat new arrivals with a whitespot treatment. indoor aquaria. Male Rosy barbs are the more colourful. Long fi n, Neon and Glowlight versions are also available. Recommended community fi sh. ■ Name: Discus, Symphysodon spp. Origin: Amazon, South America Size: 18 cm/7” Minimum tank size: 120 cm/48”, 240 l./ 53 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 5-7, Temp 28-32°C Comments: Discus are beautiful, but more demanding than most tropical fi sh. Use RO water to create the soft acidic conditions that they require. ■ Name: Tiger barb, Puntius tetrazona Keep them warm and feed regularly Origin: Sumatra on frozen food and Tetra Prima. Tall Size: 5 cm/2” tanks are essential. Minimum tank size: 75 cm/30”, 80 l./ 18 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 24-28°C Comments: Tiger barbs have a reputation for nipping fi ns. To counteract this, keep them in large shoals and with no long-fi nned fi sh. Females are deeper bodied and males have more colourful fi ns.

■ Name: Bristlenose, Ancistrus temminckii Origin: South America ■ Name: Harlequin, Trigonostigma heteromorpha Size: 15 cm/6” Origin: South-east Asia 1 Minimum tank size: 90 cm/36”, 90 l./ 20 gal capacity Size: 3 cm/1 /4” Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 24-28°C Minimum tank size: 45 cm/18”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity Comments: Bristlenose are good algae eaters and make a more suitable Water conditions: pH 5-7.5, Temp 24-26°C choice than the common plec. The male fi sh develop the bristles that give Comments: Harlequins are great additions to the smaller community tank them their name, and mature pairs may breed in the aquarium. Feed on and are always active. Keep them in groups of fi ve or more against a sinking algae wafers. backdrop of bogwood and live plants. 25 ■ Name: Guppy, Poecilia reticulata ■ Name: Corydoras, Corydoras spp. Origin: Trinidad Origin: South America Size: 5 cm/2” Size: 5-10 cm/2-4” Minimum tank size: 45 cm/18”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity Minimum tank size: 60 cm/24”, 60 l/14 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6.5-8, Temp 22-28°C Water conditions: pH 6-7.5, Temp 22-28°C Comments: Guppies are universally popular because of the males’ colourful Comments: Corydoras catfi sh are bottom scavengers that can be added in tails and their willingness to breed. Females are larger, less colourful and groups to the community tank. There are hundreds of species available and give birth to live young. Don’t keep with large, boisterous fi sh or fi n nippers. they all behave in a similar way. Sand is the ideal substrate for foraging as it is soft and won’t damage their delicate barbles.

■ Name: Molly, Poecillia velifera/latipinna/sphenops Origin: Central America ■ Name: Platy, Xiphophorus maculatus Size: 7.5 cm/3” Origin: Mexico, Belize Minimum tank size: 75 cm/30”, 80 l./ 18 gal capacity Size: 5 cm/2” Water conditions: pH 7-8.2, Temp 24-28°C Minimum tank size: 45 cm/18”, 30 l./ 60 gal capacity Comments: Mollies are hardy livebearers that come in Sailfi n and Black Water conditions: pH 6.5-8, Temp 24-28°C forms. They inhabit salty estuaries. Add salt to their tank to fi ght disease. Comments: Platies are hardy and colourful and make great additions to the community tank. They breed readily, and if you keep males and females together you will soon have fry. Outnumber males with females.

■ Name: Dwarf gourami, Colisa lalia Origin: India Size: 5 cm/2” Minimum tank size: 60 cm/24”, 60 l./ 14 gal capacity Water conditions: pH 6-7.5, ■ Name: Zebra danio, Danio rerio Temp 24-28°C Origin: India 1 Comments: Dwarf gourami are Size: 4 cm/1 /2” pretty fi sh that are suited to the Minimum tank size: 30 cm/12”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity well-planted aquarium. They Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 15-25°C need gentle fi lter currents and Comments: Hardy shoaling fi sh suitable for tropical tanks or unheated can be kept with other small, indoor aquaria. Keep in groups of six or more. They like some fi lter current peaceful fi sh. Males are the and are often found at the water’s surface, fl itting in and out of the current. colourful ones in most cases, but blue dwarf gourami may have blue males and blue females. Introducing fi sh

Patience is vital when you fi rst stock an aquarium. You should never attempt to fully stock a newly set-up aquarium. Stress-free introduction ● Turn off the aquarium lights ● Float the bag in the aquarium for approximately 20 minutes to equalise water temperatures. ● Now open the bag and gently pour in about 30% aquarium water. ■ Name: White Cloud Mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes ● Wait 10 minutes then repeat this process twice more at the same Origin: China intervals. 1 ● Size: 4 cm/1 /2” Carefuly net the fi sh out of the bag and place them in the aquarium. Minimum tank size: 30 cm/12”, 20 l./ 5 gal capacity ● Dispose of the water in the bag. Do not pour this water into the aquarium. Water conditions: pH 6-8, Temp 15-25°C ● If the new fi sh are the only ones in the aquarium, wait 24 hours before Comments: These small fi sh are more temperate than tropical, and originate initial feeding. in cool mountain streams. They are hardy fi sh, ideal for beginners or as an alternative to goldfi sh in unheated aquaria. Keep in groups of six or more. TIP SPEND TIME OBSERVING YOUR FISH ON A DAILY BASIS

26 Healthy fish www.worldofwater.com A healthy, happy aquarium is the goal for every AVAILABLE FROM fi shkeeper. We offer you some advice for keeping your WORLD OF WATER fi sh healthy and disease free. ● Melafi x treats spots circular and the size of bacterial infections a pin head? If they are it could and ailments and well be whitespot, a parasitic does it in a less infection. The problem is harsh, more natural common and easy to treat, but way than some must be caught in time before chemical treatments. your fi sh get too ill to recover. It is stress related. Fungus Whitespot is a Fungus looks like patches of common ailment but it cotton wool on a fi sh and are a secondary infection that may can be avoided. ● result from poor handling, injury Catching nets minutes and syphon off any or poor water quality. Fish with can transmit disease Feeding uneaten food. fungus are best isolated. from tank to tank so After water quality, proper Fin and mouth rot use one per tank or feeding is paramount to This comes from damage or better still, two to keeping your fi sh healthy. A Fish health prolonged periods of poor minimise stress well-fed fi sh will have a strong The vast majority of fi sh health water quality. Fix the water when catching immune system and will be problems are related to water fi rst, then treat them with an fi sh. better at fi ghting off disease. quality. With regular water antibacterial remedy. Feeding a combination of a changes and maintenance, few good staple food, occasional problems will occur. But fi sh Tail rot and fungus treat foods and frozen foods is can still get ill sometimes. best for all fi sh. Recognising the symptoms on a fi sh will Staple, dry foods like fl ake early goes a long way to curing mean a course of are complete foods that any problems that crop up. treatment. contain all the vitamins and If your problem isn’t detailled minerals that fi sh need to below, ask advice at your local survive and grow. World of Water branch. Frozen foods are whole Whitespot foods that have been freshly Look closely at the fi sh. Are the frozen. They offer the fi sh variety, and condition them Mouth rot. for breeding and better colouration. Frozen foods can themselves be varied to ● A good brand of fl ake food provide more variety. like Aquarian will keep your fi sh Consider the feeding healthy, and healthy fi sh are more requirements of each resistant to disease. species and do your best to accommodate it. Once a diet has been chosen, choose a food particle size that suits the size of the fi sh. Large Oscars need large, protein-rich food sticks and small rasboras need Basic health tips micro pellets or crushed fl ake. And take a look at how often ■ Whitespot treatments are more effective when you your fi sh should be fed. combine them with a rise in water temperature. Fast-swimming, active fi sh ■ When using medications, aerate the water heavily have fast metabolisms and to help the fi sh breathe. should be fed little and often. ■ Large, slower-moving fi sh such Whitespot is stress-related, so fi nd out the cause as big catfi sh will eat more per for a more effective treatment. sitting, expend less energy in ■ Remove carbon from your fi lter when adding the daytime, and can be fed medications. Carbon removes them and will render once per day or even every them useless. ● The aquarium treatment range other day. ■ Copper-based parasite treatments are harmful to from Interpet treat all common Only feed as much as any shrimps, crabs, snails and crayfi sh. Always read the fi sh diseases and make fi sh will consume within a few label before treating your tank. diagnosis easy. 27 Aquarium maintenance Maintenance is an essential part of keeping fi sh. We maintain our tanks to keep our fi sh healthy fi rst and foremost, and to keep our tanks looking good.

here light combines with water, you will W always fi nd algae, but it can be controlled. Algae can grow in low light or bright light and thrives in water that is full of nitrate and phosphate. We normally deal with the end result, and physically remove it from surfaces like the aquarium glass and decoration. The best way to do this is to use either an abrasive pad, an algae magnet or special scrapers, with either Algae wiping is a simple plastic or metal blades. but necessary chore. Algae magnets are very popular algae ‘wipers’ because they are so easy to use and single most important bit of convenient. One half of the maintenance that we do. magnet is coated with an The biggest reason for abrasive pad and goes inside changing the water regularly the aquarium, while the other is to dilute pollutants that have half is coated in a soft pad for built up over time. Filtration polishing the outside aquarium breaks down ammonia and glass. Pull the magnet across nitrite into less harmful nitrate, the glass and it will remove but high levels of nitrate, from algae as it slides over it. You 40-140ppm, can cause algae keep your hands dry on the and may have an adverse Attach a gravel cleaner outside and they can even go effect on newly acclimatised to a siphon tube for a around corners. fi sh. Very high levels of nitrate thorough clean.

Floating algae magnets are can kill fi sh. Photography: Neil Hepworth the ultimate in convenience Other factors affect because if the inner magnet aquariums as the water One of the most effective water safe for fi sh. falls off, it fl oats up to the top becomes aged. Phosphate ways to change the water is Never remove all the water where you can retrieve it. levels build up through fi sh to use a siphon tube. Choose or strip the tank down as too Algae can also be prevented waste and food, and phosphate a self-starting siphon device much benefi cial bacteria will by lots of water changes, and is a major cause of algae in to drain water from the tank be removed in one go, causing by using special resins. freshwater aquariums. into a bucket. That can be potential water quality issues. A great natural algae remover If the water becomes very thrown away or used to water is to add algae-eating fi sh. They acidic it can suffer from pH your plants.You can wash fi lter clean the tank and entertain you collapse, where the pH drops media in it too. Gravel at the same time. from six or seven to three Only remove a proportion of vacuuming or four overnight, with dire the tank water at any one time, This process goes hand in consequences for most fi sh. and always use a dechlorinator hand with water changing, and Water changing Water changes add buffers, and thermometer to check removes all the dirt and debris Water changing is the which help to maintain pH. temperature and make the from the gravel. To do this

COMBINE ALGAE WIPING WITH GRAVEL VACUUMING AND WATER CHANGING FOR A COMPLETE CLEAN. WIPE FIRST, THEN GRAVEL CLEAN AND WASH FILTER MEDIA IN THE TIPOLD TANK WATER. 28 Vacuuming is particularly important for bottom-dwelling catfi sh like Corydoras because without it, their delicate barbels may become infected. www.worldofwater.com Filter maintenance AVAILABLE FROM Filter maintenance is essential to keep your fi lter working WORLD OF WATER properly, and your fi sh healthy. By the nature of what they do, fi lters become clogged over time and may even stop. Maintain mechanical media, like sponge and fi lter wool, the most regularly and clean or replace it to keep water fl ow constant. If your fi lter sponge is doing the job of mechanical and biological fi ltering, only ever replace half of it at a time and wash it in old tank water to keep ● Algae magnet bacteria levels high. When you Place magnets either side of the glass clean mechanical media, clean and rub! Algae comes away easily. the impellor at the same time. Next is the chemical media like carbon. Carbon soaks ● Battery- up pollutants to the point of operated Very dirty saturation and then it won’t gravel mechanical remove any more. Replace cleaner. No buckets media should carbon every four weeks to prevent this. involved and be cleaned or Nitrate and phosphate easy, precise replaced. removers are also forms of cleaning with chemical media and also need two different properly, buy a gravel vacuum heavier gravel is dropped back regular replacement. nozzles. and siphon tube combined, down. Repeat the process over Test your water so that you and choose one that self-starts the entire surface area of the know when the media is spent to save you sucking the pipe. gravel and by the time you have and needs replacing. ● Tetra The principle of gravel done that, the water change will In a well-maintained fi lter, EasyBalance vacuuming is to hover the wide also have been carried out. biological media should need diameter intake over the gravel. Regular vacuuming helps to to be maintained the least. If it reduces the Once started the vacuum will remove debris that may hold becomes dirty, only wash it in need for lift the gravel and spin it around nitrate and phosphate, and old tank water. Biological media frequent water inside, removing any debris. even parasites like whitespot, can be replaced, but only changes by reducing nitrate The debris then fl ies up the which has a life stage that lives part of it at a time to maintain and buffering tube into the bucket and the in the gravel. bacteria levels. pH.

● Stress Coat A water conditioner to remove chlorine from tapwater. It has the added benefi t of Aloe Wash biological Vera to protect media in old and help heal tank water. fi sh.

29 Marines made easy So you think you are ready to take the plunge with marines?

We’ve chosen a World of Water Amazon 220 Corner tank as it Assemble the external fi lter and connect the pipework. We’ve added comes complete with an external fi lter and has room at the back for some Rowaphos phosphate remover to the fi lter to help keep a hang-on skimmer. A plain blue background has been stuck on the nuisance algae at bay. We will be using live rock to aid fi ltration, so 1back with double-sided tape. 2 we could remove the biological media at a later date and use the fi lter purely for mechanical and chemical fi ltration. Carbon has been added too.

Place the heater at the back of the tank and set it to 24°C/75°F. A protein skimmer is vital to the success of most reef tanks. Flow will be strong, so even with vertical placement, the heater This V2 Skim 400 from TMC will skim up to twice this tank’s will distribute heat evenly around the tank. A heater guard can be capacity and comes with a Rio 2100 pump. Hang the body of 3 used for extra protection. 4 the skimmer on the back. The versatile hood on the Amazon tank allows for most equipment to be fi tted.

MARINE TANKS TAKE LONGER TO MATURE THAN FRESHWATER TANKS AND MAY TAKE MONTHS BEFORE THEY START TO LOOK REALLY GOOD. TAKE YOUR TIME TIPAND RESEARCH ALL LIVESTOCK PURCHASES THOROUGHLY. 30 The last of the electricals to be fi tted is this powerful Korallia When all the equipment has been fi tted, the coral sand can be pump. It’s been added to increase water fl ow and turnover in the added. We have rinsed the sand to remove most of the dust tank, washing waste away from corals and exercising fi sh. Aim and intend to add it to a layer of about 3cm/1” in depth. 5 for a turnover of at least 10 times per hour. 6

Fill the tank with salt water before adding the rock. This is to We’re adding about 30 kg/66 lb of cured live rock to this tank. prevent the rock from drying out when aquascaping. Expect the Cured rock will aid maturation and bring with it desirable algae water to go cloudy as it further agitates the sand. and planktonic life. A base rock like Ocean rock can be used 7 8 underneath live rock to raise it up. After the rock has been added, fi ll the tank to the top, plug all equipment in and wait for the water to clear and water tests to prove negative.

The fi nished tank, but as marine tanks take longer to mature than freshwater tanks, it still has a long way to go before it starts to look really good. Use a light stocking of fi sh initially and add just a few hardy corals. The great thing about marine tanks is that even when you reach your maximum fi sh stocking, you can go on and on with 9 invertebrates. Marine tanks look better over time as the corals spread. 31 Get into marines! So you’re really keen to get into marines – but what equipment will you need? Protein skimmer

A protein skimmer is one piece of equipment that you may not be familiar with. It is an additional form of fi ltration that mechanically removes proteins and waste from salt water. It does this by creating lots of tiny bubbles inside that become coated with protein, and then overfl ow into a collection cup. The collection cup can be emptied and cleaned periodically, removing waste from the system. Skimmed water is cleaner and Why you need a protein skimmer healthier. Traditional fi lters break down Protein skimmers can mean a waste by converting ammonia higher start-up cost when keeping to nitrite and then nitrate. We marines, but their benefi ts are remove the end product, nitrate, well documented and many of the by changing water. In an aquarium world’s best marine aquariums you don’t want any ammonia, are fi ltered using this method. nitrite or nitrate, and a protein Some marine aquariums don’t skimmer helps by removing it at use any other form of fi ltration the source. apart from a protein skimmer and Marine fi sh and invertebrates live rock. This method is called will not tolerate any pollution in the Berlin System, and more the water, and a protein skimmer information will be available from acts a primary, mechanical fi lter. the marine expert in store.

Powerheads Hydrometer An essential piece of equipment when keeping marines. A hydrometer A trip to your nearest coastline, or watching a marine nature tells us how salty the tank water is, and we need to know this because documentary, will reveal that the oceans are constantly marine life needs a certain level of salt in the water to survive. moving, be it from wave action, currents or the Gulf Stream. We make up our own salt water at home by mixing pure, fresh water, Marine life is totally dependant on water movement to preferably RO water, with synthetic sea salt. To tell us how salty the bring them their food and wash away their waste, and that water is, we use a hydrometer. movement should be replicated in the aquarium. This usually consists of a Flow is provided by pumps, fi lters and powerheads. plastic box with a swing Calculate the total volume of your aquarium and provide needle inside, or a fl oating enough turnover to pump the entire water volume ten to object that looks a bit like a twenty times per hour. This will be suffi cient for most corals, thermometer. Whenever you fi sh and invertebrates. If you use an external fi lter and protein use a hydrometer to measure skimmer, the fl ow from these devices can also be factored in, salt levels, make sure you so an aquarium of 180 l. / 40 gal volume, for example, should bring the water to the correct have a turnover of 1800 lph / 400 gph or more. temperature fi rst.

WHEN CHOOSING A MARINE SET-UP, MAKE SURE THAT THE SYSTEM CAN BE FITTED WITH ALL THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT. YOU CAN BUY A SYSTEMISED TIPAQUARIUM WITH EQUIPMENT ALREADY FITTED, IF YOU ARE UNSURE. 32 Filtration Chiller This area is dealt with in a but the majority of modern With bright lighting and lots different way to freshwater reef aquariums are actually of pumps and equipment, fi ltration. Marine reef aquariums fi ltered primarily by live rock, it is not heating that is require the best possible water with powerheads providing the problem with most quality at all times, and most food and oxygen for bacteria, marine tanks, but cooling. www.worldofwater.com use a combination of fi ltration and the rough inner and outer High temperatures (over and protein skimming to surfaces of the rock providing 27ºC/80ºF) can stress and AVAILABLE FROM achieve that. a home for them to grow and even kill tropical marine life, An external fi lter packed multiply. so artifi cial cooling is the WORLD OF WATER with mechanical, biological When lots of live rock is sensible long-term option. and chemical fi ltration is a used, biological media can be A cost-effective cooling good start, and is essential for removed from the fi lter and it method is to use fans. most fi sh-only marine tanks can be replaced with important Several small fans can be where fi sh are the focus and chemical media like carbon fi tted to the top of the tank no invertebrates are added, and phosphate remover. to blow cool air across the surface of the water. One can even be fi tted on either side of the tank rim – one to blow cool air in and one to ● Frozen food to offer your suck hot air out. freshwater and marine fi sh a For larger aquariums, complete diet. hot rooms and tanks that use very bright lighting, a chiller may be the only option. Chillers work like refrigerators, only they connect to the aquarium via pipework. The required temperature can be set on the chiller and it will work tirelessly to hold that temperature, venting off lots of heat as it does so. A chiller must be connected to a either a powerhead in the main tank or an external fi lter ● Hydor Koralia pumps. High- underneath. volume, low-wattage pumps for They are not cheap, but increasing circulation. the cost can easily be offset when protecting a tank full of corals and fi sh from overheating.

Neil Hepworth Ultra-violet Lighting steriliser The majority of marine fi sh and You may need extra lighting for UVs can help to kill invertebrates that we keep come more demading corals. disease pathogens and from the warm, shallow seas of the We also use more light for lighting parasites. Some marine ● Gamma Improvit tropics. For much of the day, coral marines, and we do that by using fi sh like Powder Blue This unique food provides reefs are exposed to full sunlight a number of standard light tubes, and Regal tangs are the health benefi ts of a frozen and it’s much brighter than we high-powered T5 light tubes or susceptible to marine food with the convenience of a provide for most freshwater set- metal halide lighting – high-powered whitespot, and the dry food. ups. Furthermore, most corals rely bulbs that are normally addition of a UV can help on the sunlight to give them their suspended over open-topped to prevent that. energy as they harbour algae called aquariums. UVs can be fi tted below zooxanthellae, which need bright A minimum requirement for small in a cabinet, above or light in order to photosynthesize. tanks is two light tubes, preferably behind an aquarium, and Lighting is available for marine high-powered ones. For larger, can work in conjunction tanks and it is generally brighter and deeper aquaria, four T5 tubes (two with external fi lters, of a different colour to freshwater blue and two white) are normally sumps or powerheads. lighting. Marine lighting tends to necessary, and for the brightest light They are also suitable have a blue tinge to replicate the with the best effect, choose metal for disease prevention in ● V2 Vecton ultra violet steriliser light available underwater. halide light in combination with freshwater aquariums. from TMC. This unit fi ts easily This can be done by using a actinic blue fl uorescent light tubes. Change the bulbs into a cabinet and lets you know combination of daylight and actinic As a rough guide, aim to provide regularly for maximum when the bulb needs changing. (blue) tubes, or by using light tubes one watt of lighting for every litre effi ciency. UVs help to stop disease and that combine both types of light. of water. suspended algae. 33 Choosing marine fi sh With such a diversity of species to choose from, picking the right marine fi sh can be a bit of a minefi eld. Here are some recommended species. Neil Hepworth Neil Hepworth

■ Name: Royal gramma, Gramma loreto ■ Name: Pyjama cardinal, Sphaeramia nematoptera Origin: West Atlantic Origin: Western Pacifi c Size: 7.5cm/3” Size: 7.5cm/3” Minimum tank size: 100 l. /22 gal Minimum tank size: 100 l. /40 gal Reef friendly: Yes Reef friendly: Yes Comments: The Royal gramma is one of the most striking marine fi sh. They Comments: Pyjama cardinals are peaceful fi sh that are best kept in groups, do best in mature reef tanks with lots of live rock to offer them a safe refuge. and may breed in the aquarium, with the male mouthbrooding the eggs Can be kept in groups, but are fi ne as solitary specimens mixed with other and fry. Don’t combine them with aggressive or territorial fi sh, like most fi sh. damselfi sh, as they may get picked on. sh Bowl / photomax.org.uk sh Bowl / photomax.org.uk The Goldfi The Goldfi ■ Name: Flame angel, Centropyge loricula ■ Name: Common clownfi sh, Amphiprion ocellaris Origin: Pacifi c Origin: Pacifi c Size: 10cm/4” Size: 10cm/4” Minimum tank size: 180 l. /40 gal Minimum tank size: 60 l. /13 gal Reef friendly: Yes Reef friendly: Yes Comments: Flame angels are stunning marine fi sh, providing a splash of Comments: Now almost universally known as Nemo, the common bright red in the marine tank. They can be kept singly or as mated pairs, clownfi sh is a familiar species and is available tank bred. They are hardy, and graze the rock for algae and tiny marine life. Best kept as the only dwarf reef-friendly and one of the easiest marine fi sh to keep. The Percula clown angel in the tank. Expensive, but well worth it. is a similar species. 36 Neil Hepworth Neil Hepworth

■ Name: Yellow tang, Zebrasoma fl avescens ■ Name: Lionfi sh, Pterois volitans Origin: Pacifi c Origin: Indo-Pacifi c Size: 15cm/6” Size: 38cm/15” Minimum tank size: 180 l. /40 gal Minimum tank size: 300 l. /66 gal Reef friendly: Yes Reef friendly: No - it will eat small fi sh and shrimp Comments: Yellow tangs make great additions to the medium or large reef Comments: Lionfi sh are instantly recognisable because of their elaborate tank. They are fairly easy to keep as long as they are well fed, and their fi ns and reputation for being venomous. Not one for the reef tank, this bright colour and activity has made them popular aquarium fi sh. Feed lots of species prefers more gentle currents and open space. Only combine with algae in their diet. other large marine fi sh to prevent this predator from swallowing them. MP & C Piednoir / aquapress.com Neil Hepworth ■ Name: Mandarin, Synchiropus splendidus ■ Name: Pyjama wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia Origin: Pacifi c Origin: Indo-Pacifi c Size: 7.5cm/3” Size: 7.5cm/3” Minimum tank size: 180 l. /40 gal Minimum tank size: 75 l. /16 gal Reef friendly: Yes Reef friendly: Yes Comments: Mandarins are exquisite but they need extra care. In the wild Comments: Pyjama wrasse are colourful, active and hardy. They swim they eat hundreds of tiny copepods per day and in the aquarium this should in and out of live rock and predate nuisance fl atworms so they can be accommodated for by providing lots of live rock to seed the system, and benefi t the mini reef aquarium. Don’t mix with other small wrasses as the produce planktonic life. Only add to mature reef aquaria. Pyjama wrasse may bully them. Neil Hepworth MP & C Piednoir / aquapress.com ■ Name: Yellow goby, Gobiodon okinawae ■ Name: Coral beauty, Centropyge bispinosa Origin: Indo-Pacifi c Origin: Indo-Pacifi c 1 Size: 4cm/1 /2” Size: 10cm/4” Minimum tank size: 40 l. /9 gal Minimum tank size: 180 l. /40 gal Reef friendly: Yes Reef friendly: Yes Comments: This tiny yellow fi sh inhabits coral branches in the wild. It can Comments: Coral beauties are well-behaved dwarf angels, and perhaps be kept in nano reefs due to its small size, but it does need regular feeding. one of the hardiest members of their genus. They are safe with most Keep either on its own or in groups, and with small fi sh and inverts. It is invertebrates but like all angels, they will nip at featherdusters. Live rock is sometimes available tank-bred. essential for grazing. 37 Choosing your Inverts New to reefkeeping? Here are some easy inverts.

■ Name: Toadstool, Sarcophyton spp. Origin: Indo-Pacifi c Lighting requirements: Moderate to high Water fl ow: Moderate Comments: Toadstools are popular soft corals that are easy to care for but they can grow too large for tanks under 200l capacity. Place them low down so that when they do grow, they don’t shade other corals. They can be propagated by cuttings or by sprouting new toadstools from the base. Photography: Neil Hepworth

■ Name: Mushroom rock, ■ Name: Cleaner shrimp, Actinodiscus/Discosoma/ Lysmata amboinensis Ricordea spp. Origin: Pacifi c Origin: Pacifi c Size: 7.5 cm/3” Lighting requirements: Minimum tank size: 60 l/13 Moderate gal Water fl ow: Low to moderate Comments: Cleaner shrimp Comments: Mushrooms are colourful and easy to are hardy and easy to keep. care for. In the wild they Unlike most corals they clean passing fi sh, but in the don’t thrive in very strong aquarium they will accept light conditions and prefer frozen foods instead. They can a slower fl ow. So place at be kept together and with other the bottom of the rock pile invertebrates. where currents and lighting penetration are less. They come in all colours and sizes.

38 ■ Name: Dwarf red leg hermit crab, Clibanarius digueti Origin: Mexico Size: 2.5 cm/1” Minimum tank size: 30 l/6.6 gal Comments: Hermit crabs are often referred to (along with snails) as reef janitors and are added to tanks to clear up uneaten food and help control algae. Make sure they have spare shells to move into as they grow. Don’t confuse the dwarves with other hermits as large hermit crabs are not reef friendly.

■ Name: Polyp colony, Zoanthus spp. Origin: Indonesia Lighting requirements: Moderate Water fl ow: Moderate Comments: Polyp colonies come in all shapes and sizes, and are usually attached to a lump of live rock. If they spread, the effect can look spectacular with every surface of the reef living and moving. Make sure they are not covered over by other corals or growths of macroalgae.

■ Name: Turbo snail, Turbo spp. Origin: Mexico Size: 5 cm/2” Minimum tank size: 30 l/6.6 gal Comments: Turbo snails are used to control algae in reef tanks. You ■ Name: Bubble coral, Plerogyra sinuosa can add as many as one per gallon Origin: Indo-Pacifi c of water and they will graze on all Lighting requirements: Low to moderate algae surfaces including the glass. Water fl ow: Low to moderate “Turbo snail” is a name given to Comments: Bubble corals are one of the easiest ‘hard’ corals to several species of reef-safe marine keep and don’t need lots of light or lots of fl ow. They have quite snail including species from the powerful stinger tentacles, so don’t place them too close to other genus Astrea. corals. They appreciate regular feeds of small frozen foods.

39 Marine fi sh, like this hawkfi sh, will not tolerate poor water conditions. Neil Hepworth

Nuisance algae can choke corals. Control phosphate levels Running your and introduce algae marine tank grazers. What’s involved in the day-to-day running of your marine set-up?

Carry out regular partial Water changes water changes with a good Feeding We can only try to mimic the brand of synthetic salt and RO vastness of the oceans in our water, and mix it thoroughly Most marine fi sh will be happy home aquaria, but replicating with a strong powerhead with a couple of feeds a day, its exacting water conditions before you add it to the main although some fi sh, like Anthias can mean the difference tank. Test your nitrate levels really require more frequent between success and failure and try to keep them under feeds, so check with your Neil Hepworth with marines. 40ppm for marine fi sh and less retailer when buying your fi sh. The water around coral reefs than 10ppm for corals and Flake and granular foods are Equipment has a constant level of salinity, invertebrates. available for marine fi sh, as are maintenance temperature and organic load, Regular water changes are frozen foods like Mysis, krill, The most important piece of and the fi sh and corals are the key as allowing nitrate levels brineshrimp, cockle etc. Some marine equipment is often the adapted to only accept those to build up will not only stress fi sh, like tangs, are herbivorous, protein skimmer, and to keep conditions. your livestock but will prove so require foods like spinach them running effi ciently they When we set up our marine costly in terms of salt when you or algae – once again research need frequent maintenance. tanks, the synthetic salt mix try to lower them in one big their needs before purchase. When the collection cup sets many parameters but water change. Specialist nitrate Don’t allow food to sit uneaten is emptied, it should also be over time, the quality of marine removal equipment is available at the bottom of the tank, as it cleaned every time, as dirty water degrades and becomes at World of Water marine stores. will affect the water quality. funnels can mean less effi cient polluted. Please ask for more details. skimming. Also check the

MATCH THE LIGHTING TO YOUR LIVESTOCK. IF MAXIMUM COLOURATION IS YOUR THING, GO FOR HAGEN POWERGLO OR INTERPET TRIPLUS. THIS WILL ENHANCE FISH COLOURS FROM THE RED AND ORANGE OF GOLDFISH TO THE BLUE AND YELLOW OF MALAWI CICHLIDS. FOR MARINES, ALWAYS TIP CHOOSE MARINE LIGHTING AS CORALS NEED LIGHT OF THE RIGHT SPECTRUM IN ORDER TO THRIVE. 40 pump impeller and any air intake devices as dirty intakes will mean less air bubbles and decreased performance. If you use an external fi lter, change chemical and mechanical media frequently. www.worldofwater.com The benefi ts of AVAILABLE FROM chemical media WORLD OF WATER Corals are Activated carbon and more sensitive phosphate removers have ● Algae scraper been explained in other than fi sh and need even To help you remove sections of this magazine, tough algae from but nowhere is their use more better water conditions. the front of your important than in marine aquarium. aquariums. Although not Neil Hepworth harmful to fi sh, phosphate can cause corals to recede and will removal resin at all times to prevent the growth of desirable keep phosphate levels close to Other algaes. Even minute traces of zero. Ask in store for our range maintenance phosphate will cause nuisance of phosphate removers. The obvious one when algae to grow and may affect Activated carbon keeps keeping a marine tank is the more delicate corals. marine water pure and soaks need for regular algae wiping. To prevent this from up any impurities. However, The well-oxygenated, brightly- happening, we recommend prolonged use can soak up lit conditions of the marine the use of RO water from the some trace elements as well tank will make algae growth start (which is relatively free so experts recommend short rampant, and the front glass of nitrate and phosphate,) exposure to a high-grade may need wiping on a daily and the use of a phosphate carbon for best results. basis. A strong algae magnet is the best choice for regular wiping, combined with a metal scraper to tackle more stubborn algae. Live rock brings with it desirable algae like pink and purple coralline algae, and lots of undesirable ones that quickly take over. Many marine keepers choose not to fi ght it too much and let it grow all over their powerheads, pipework and the rear glass. This helps to disguise any ● equipment over time, and a Phosphate is a major problem bright purple background can in marine aquariums. Salifert look appealing and provide phosphate killer gets rid of a surface for coral polyps to phosphate. attach to. Evaporation occurs in all marine aquaria, especially those with very bright lighting and open tops. As water evaporates, the tank water becomes more and more salty, so keep an eye on salinity. REGULAR and minerals. Test for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity and always RO water ● Salifert test kits enable TESTING test that phosphate levels are low. RO stands for reverse osmosis accurate and reliable testing of If you already keep fi sh, you will Test results will indicate and is a way of purifying marine water. be aware of the importance of whether or not you need to add tapwater. Water is pushed water testing. For freshwater supplements and if so, how through a membrane and the we check temperature and test much. Adding supplements resulting water is very pure, for ammonia, nitrite, pH and is part and parcel of reef tank free of nitrate, phosphate and nitrate. With marines we test for maintenance for if levels of chlorine. RO water is perfect those parameters too, but we calcium become depleted for for mixing with marine salt, and also check the salt levels using example, your corals will not be is better for corals. a hydrometer and we test extra able to grow. Top up evaporation parameters for reef tanks. The use of a good salt mix will losses with RO water, and Corals not only need constants aid calcium, pH, alkalinity and supplements can be added at ● like salinity, temperature and low magnesium levels, and regular Tropic Marin sea salt is a the same time. pollutants, they also need the water changes will help lower synthetic salt blend that contains Buy RO water from your correct levels of trace elements nitrate and phosphate. all the essential minerals and local World of Water store. trace elements. 41