21 years ago, my father set up a fish tank on my cultivator…I am hooked to this day. But up until 2 years ago, I put the gravel down just as much as I always have. I loved the look of the sandy and grassy bottoms, but I swore they were hard to maintain. I just knew I didn’t have time to order because I had insisted on the arduous and unrelenting task of cleaning. How would that sand stay in the ground when I did regular water changes the bottom “vacuuming”. I’ve tried a few live plants, bunches of seasons and always withering and dying… some horrible algae all over my pretty little plant. Eventually I would just eat the algae plant or go crazy with the algae outbreak and flush the plant down the toilet.
Then my grandmother would take me to one of her best friends’ houses and I would be introduced to the world of real live aquariums. One of Molly’s main hobbies is her aquariums. My grandmother met her shot with the president of the African Violet Society of Pinellas County and I knew she could grow violets; but no sense could grow that I refer to “Water Gardens.” I saw her last hour. He had 8 fishing boats and each one was like a wild forest with happy fish flying around. I was a mouse. All I can do is move from chair to chair in his family room and stare at his tanks for hours.
So he gave me to take it back for what he asked to have the bottom. I outlined everything in my article “How to liveplanted aquarium.”< /a> And this started for me . Added extra lighting for those plants and then learning how to use CO2 Injectors, also outlined in my article Anime CO2 Injector. After that, I have a really good idea for most plants. Of course, if you go into the exotic plants section, you can view various additional items. But by using mixed media as a substrate and additional CO2 injection, you will have plants multiplying so quickly that you may decide to sell pet stores or even sell your meters in the E-pocket!
Now that you have everything set up, the time will come when you need to start doing some routine cleaning and water changes. It will be much easier if you keep the designated items for the tank and all at the same time. I need a large bucket to use as a gravel wash vac, a toothbrush to remove traces of algae, scissors to brush away dead leaves, a hand towel and a large towel with two towels under my set to catch my drips. .
Before you drink your water, I find it best to let your inner light shine through the glass. Any seaweed, however small, sides and any loose rocks, etc. Most of it will easily drain to the bottom of your tank within a few minutes.
After you’ve given your tank a few minutes to settle the algae blooms, prepare to empty it. It’s no different from vacuuming the counter. You’ll quickly learn how close you can get to the sand, and if you get a little stuck, it’s no big deal. The idea is to just get the floating sand material and everything goes down really quick and easy. You won’t have as close to the sand as you think.
I personally clean about 1/4 of water tanks, give an inch or two depending on when the tank is running. I live in my biggest pool and if I didn’t know before, nothing makes you realize you’re having babies faster than cleaning the pool routine! Don’t worry too much about the water temperature because it’s a few degrees cooler if it’s less than 20 degrees Celsius. All my fish seem to enjoy it, some even swim in fresh, added cooler water. Also my plants look greener and happier. I have very good well water with special filters so if you live in public water you need to add water conditioners. or fill a jug with old water and leave it for at least a few days to dissolve the chlorine and a few other contaminants. If you have a well, you can run tests on your water to determine your parameters and make the necessary adjustments to your water.
I find the best time to trim the plants is to trim or pull dead or dying leaves while your water is drained. You won’t get wet either! Some plants that are thinner and well-rooted are pulled to the base of the plant and can be easily torn off. Larger, denser plants require a larger pair of sharp scissors. Look for sunken resources and move things if needed, plant any desired plants. But I always wait for what can be done before I either drain or I want to pump before I even drain and yes, sometimes you even go down into the tank to move or grab something after you have added all your water in you and you think ‘re-done with it’. I’m telling you, it’s addictive.
