Setting Up The Aquarium In Brief

1. Place heating cable, Substore Mix and gravel into the aquarium as per instructions.

2. Place filter, heater thermostat and CO₂ system in position but do not turn on until aquarium is filled with water.

3. Decorate the aquarium using bog wood, inert rocks or ceramic ornaments.

4. Fill the aquarium ¾ full of water. This will make the job of planting the aquarium so much easier and more comfortable. If the aquarium is to be left for a few days before planting do not turn the lights on until planted.

5. At least 80% of the substrate should be covered by the plants, with half of those being fast growing plants. This will help counteract algae problems which new aquariums are more prone to.

6. The aquarium can now be filled completely and all the systems checked to see that they are working properly.

This booklet sets out to explain how to grow aquatic plants in the aquarium. It covers their basic requirements, how we provide them, initial aquarium set-up (inc. planting) and sets out a proven maintenance schedule.

The basic requirements are as follows:

1. Light

2. Carbon

3. Other nutrients

4. Water quality

Light

Light is a plant's main source of energy. It uses this energy to produce sugars and other compounds that fuel the plants other biological processes. It is therefore necessary to provide sufficient lighting for the plants maintenance and growth. However, whilst important, quantity is not the only factor. You may remember that white light is made up of the full range of colours of the rainbow from red through violet. Plants can only absorb (use) varying amounts of these colours. To ensure an optimal environment we must also provide different amounts.

The best lighting to use is special mercury vapour lamps or fluorescent tubes, from AQUAPONICS specifically designed to provide these optimal conditions.

Carbon

Carbon is the main building-block of plants so it stands to reason that if they do not receive sufficient quantities of it they simply will not grow. This carbon is normally only taken up by the plants in the form of CO₂.

In nature there is an endless supply of CO₂ but in the aquarium there is often a deficiency which leads to poor growth or death of the plant. There are several reasons for this including: the removal of CO₂ by the water authorities and displacement caused by too much water movement at the aquarium's surface or, even worse, the use of air bubbles for aeration. Any remaining CO₂ will be used up rapidly by the plants and a deficiency arises.

The addition of CO₂ to the aquarium not only benefits the plants but also the fish. Aquariums that lack sufficient CO₂ often have problems with stunted plant growth, biogenic decalcification, and high pH values.

High pH values can lead to precipitation of iron, an increase in ammonia, or even diseases in fish. Ailing fish kept in AQUAPONICS systems with thriving plants will often recover without any treatment, because of the ideal conditions the plants help to create.

The addition of CO₂ in the aquarium is now recognised as essential for a healthy and natural environment. The AQUAPONICS CO₂ Starter Kit contains everything needed to supply CO₂ to power-filtered aquarium: a disposable cylinder, regulator, CO₂ tubing and diffuser.