Aquarium soil: types, selection and application

So, you have decided to equip an aquarium and purchase fish. One of the most important components of an artificial ecosystem, which is an aquarium, is the soil. If it is chosen incorrectly, then the water will quickly deteriorate, and fish and algae will get sick and die. In our material you will find the necessary recommendations for choosing the type of soil, its preparation and laying, as well as further care for it.

Let's consider the basic requirements, which should be presented to the ground before purchasing it.

• It must have a porous structure. This is necessary so that air circulates between the soil particles, thereby creating a favorable environment for microorganisms. These microorganisms are able to process food residues and fish waste. In this case, putrefactive processes do not occur, harmful microorganisms do not develop, and the water stays clean longer.
• A substrate with a particle size of 2 to 5 mm is ideal. If the particles are larger, then it will be difficult for the fish to get food from under it. The soil, consisting of small particles, can be caked, and decay processes will begin. As a result, this can lead to the death of fish and plants.
• The particles should be round, without sharp edges. Sharp corners can injure fish. In addition, acute-angled particles have the ability to crumble.
• The substrate particles should be approximately the same. If you mix small pebbles with sand, then stagnant processes cannot be avoided.
• The soil particles must be quite heavyso that the plants hold well in them and it is convenient to siphon it.
• The substrate should not release any substances, enter or provoke any chemical reaction in the aquarium.
• Ideal if the soil is capable of maintaining the required pH.and is also loaded with plant nutrients.

All types of soil can be divided into 3 large groups.

• Natural. Such a substrate consists of natural materials that have not undergone any processing. Plants cannot receive any nutrients from it, therefore additional fertilization is required. If such a substrate has lain in the aquarium for more than six months, then a nutrient medium appears at the bottom and fertilizers are no longer required. This type of soil includes sand, pebbles, quartz, crushed stone and gravel.
• Mechanical. This group includes substrates that also consist of natural materials, however, that have undergone mechanical processing.
• Artificial. This substrate is classified into two groups. The first includes decorative plastic and glass ground. The second group includes nutrient soil. It is used in Dutch aquariums, which do not breed fish, but only plant plants.

So, let's consider the most popular types of soil.

• Sand. There are some fish species for which sand is the ideal substrate. In it, the inhabitants of the aquarium make minks, spawn, and even with its help they improve the work of the digestive system. For plants, sand is also good, as it allows the roots to catch well. All dirt usually remains on the surface, so it is easy to clean. The sand for the aquarium can be sea, river, quartz, white argonite, black, live.
• Pebbles. It is a fairly common substrate. Both sea pebbles and those found along the river bank can be used. Nice, safe ground. The particle size can be selected depending on the design of the aquarium.
• Nutrient soil. Pet stores sell special soil, which is a mixture of peat, mineral fertilizers, bacteria and porous material. This substrate is especially good for aquarium plants.
• Black soil. It is very popular among aquarists, because colored fish look so beautiful against its background. A substrate of basalt, granite, shungite is used. However, this soil can give the water an ugly gray tint. An exception is quartz, it does not pollute the water. In addition, one should not forget about the magnetic properties of such a substrate, which are harmful to both fish and plants. It is a neutral soil and requires additional fertilization.
• White ground. Most often it is limestone or marble. Makes the water harder, which is not suitable for all types of fish. It also tends to take on a brownish or greenish tint over time, which does not add to the aesthetics of your aquarium.
• Colored soil. Mainly made of glass and plastic. It can be ceramic. It performs only a decorative role, it does not have any useful properties.

Let's take a look at the main substrates most often found in the store.

Another name for it is Dutch aquarium soil. The particles are spherical, about 1.5-1.7 mm in size. Due to the absence of sharp corners, this substrate is well suited for aquariums where bottom fish live. Besides, the shape of the substrate provides good water permeability, does not allow it to stagnate, provides conditions for the existence of microorganismsthat recycle fish waste. This soil can be called a biofilter. Its brown color harmonizes well with algae. The price for 3.3 liters ranges from 800 to 1000 rubles.

It is made of expanded clay - burnt clay. The particles are 0.5-2 mm in size. The substrate also has no sharp edges and is safe for fish and plants. He has the ability to absorb excess fertilizers, and if there is a shortage, give them back. The root system of algae grows well in such a soil. Since the substrate is made of clay, it is lightweight. If you have fish in your aquarium - those who like to dig in the ground, then the plants should be planted deeper. In addition, with such a substrate it is difficult to make a raised bottom, since it is mobile. Easy to clean. On average, the cost for 5 kg is about 850 rubles.

The name speaks for itself. It is white river gravel. It is safe for fish as it is of natural origin. The size of the particles is from 3 to 5 mm. This substrate remains white even after a long time. It slightly increases the hardness of the water, but if your pets are cichlids, they will benefit from it. Such a substrate is practically not susceptible to silting. The average cost for 3.2 kg is 123 rubles.

This type of soil is made from marble chips. Such a substrate can be white, black and colored. The size of the particles is also varied. On sale there are both medium-sized (2–5 mm each) and larger - from 5 to 10 mm. Therefore, it will look good on the bottom of both small and large aquariums. Besides, variety of colors allows you to create your own design... However, the particles can fade over time. This substrate increases the hardness of the water to a small extent, but is generally safe for fish and plants. The price for 1 kg is about 65 rubles.

This type of substrate is ideal for an aquarium with a lot of algae. Such a substrate consists of a mixture of peat, porous material, beneficial microorganisms and mineral fertilizers. Soil particles are of the following sizes - S, M, L. When choosing, you need to proceed from the size and depth of the aquarium. On top of this substrate, it is necessary to put a layer of basic soil. On the same day when you filled up the substrate in the aquarium, the fish should not be populated. They can die due to nitrogenous emissions. Wait until the composition of the water becomes stable. The price for 6 kg of such soil is about 4000 rubles.

This soil is a mixture of quartz sand, clay, peat, mineral fertilizers. It is used in conjunction with base primer and serves as a substrate. Good for all types of fish and plants. However, if you decide to use this substrate, then you should immediately plant the aquarium with vegetation, otherwise the bacteria that are contained in this substrate will cause rapid growth of algae. Some aquarists note that this substrate can sometimes turn sour. The cost for 4.8 kg is about 1600 rubles.

Made from coral chips. The particle size is 11–30 mm. It is able to increase the hardness of water, therefore it is well suited for cichlids. A beautiful substrate that can be used as a decoration for an aquarium. The average cost for 6 kg is 650 rubles.

The raw material is marble chips. On sale you can find such a substrate in various colors and sizes. The main role in the aquarium is decorative. Slightly increases the level of water hardness. The cost of 3.5 kg is 170 rubles.

When choosing a substrate for your aquarium, you should proceed from the following criteria.

The smaller the fish, the shallower soil is suitable for it. However, do not forget about the peculiarity of some fish to swallow substrate particles. If you have just such pets, then it is worth purchasing larger soil, otherwise it will lead to the death of individuals. If your fish like to bury themselves in the substrate, then it is better to choose sand. The color scheme of the substrate is not so important, however, most fish look better against a dark background.The white substrate can change color to brown or even greenish over time.

For them, the soil should be primarily nutritious, and the root system should have something to catch on to. Small to medium particle sizes are suitable for most plants. Natural soil is preferred.

The substrate layer should not be too thin, otherwise it will cease to fulfill its role. The optimal layer thickness is from 2 to 10 cm.If you have an aquarium without plants or plants do not need rooting, then 2 cm will be enough. If your plants have a small root system, then they need 3-5 cm of soil. When growing large plants with a large root system, 5 to 10 cm of substrate may be required.

To calculate in kilograms, you can use the special formula m = 1000p * n * V: С,

• where m is the mass of the soil;
• p is the specific gravity;
• V - volume;
• n is the height of the soil;
• C is the height of the aquarium.

This is a universal formula that allows you to determine how many kilograms of soil you need both in a small aquarium, for example, with a volume of 20 liters, and in aquariums of 100 liters and even 200 liters each.

So, you have selected the soil, calculated the required amount and purchased it. Prepare the substrate before adding it to the aquarium.

The preparation consists of several stages.

• Flushing. The soil should be washed in a plastic bucket in small portions until the water becomes clear. If you, deciding to save time, start flushing the entire soil at once, then you run the risk of doing it poorly.
• Disinfection. After you have washed the soil, it should be disinfected to avoid introducing larvae and harmful bacteria into your aquarium. Disinfection is done by boiling. Boil for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. After that, the soil is calcined in the oven for about 30 minutes at a temperature of 100 degrees. If the soil is plastic, then it should not be exposed to such high temperatures. Rinse it with water and then disinfect it in 10% chlorine solution. After the soil has stood for 2 hours in a chlorine solution, it is washed until a specific odor is eliminated. The soil containing a large amount of marble and carbonate is placed in a bowl with a 30% citric acid solution and stirred until air bubbles stop appearing on the surface. This procedure removes magnesium and calcium from the substrate.

It is best to use a trowel to lay the soil. You can buy it in the store, or you can make it yourself from a plastic bottle. The soil is placed in the aquarium without water. We fill it, placing the spatula as close to the bottom of the aquarium as possible, otherwise the walls can be damaged.

The thickness of the layer at the front wall should be less than at the back. Usually, the soil in front is 2 cm thick, and to the opposite it reaches 8 cm.

In order to level the soil, to shape, use a wooden spatula.

If the soil is laid correctly, then caring for it will not cause problems. It is enough to clean it as needed. A complete soil replacement is carried out every 5 years.

It is very convenient and easy to clean the soil with a siphon. It is enough to hold it over the bottom of the aquarium, and it will absorb all the waste. Without a siphon, bottom cleaning is possible with an electric pump.

Those who have purchased an aquarium for the first time often face a problem - the water turns green. This can be due to excessive lighting, overfeeding of fish. Catfish and snails help to cope well with such a problem. You can also recommend darkening the aquarium.

For information on how to choose a substrate for an aquarium, see the next video.