Q. How do I use TetraPlant Complete Substrate when setting up an aquarium.

A. Do you have problems growing plants in your aquarium? Do they just turn yellow and die? Then the problem is one of two things not enough food in the gravel or not enough light. Usually light is not a problem rather too much, that’s a problem for another day. Most people when setting up an aquarium do not think of the plants but rather more on the fish and just throw in the gravel (washed if it’s lucky) then fill it up with cold water add the plants then the filter, heater, lights etc., and switch on and wonder why the plants die off.

The main reason is that there is no food for the plants to live on; you would not live long without food. An aquarium is an enclosed system and virtually sterile when it is new and both fish and plants struggle for the first month or so until good bacteria and food is being produced. Plants get their food from sunlight and the roots, so at first you should supply the roots with some sort of fertiliser or feed and Valueaquatics have the answer TetraPlant Complete Substrate. This has been formulated to create the perfect natural substrate possible. It has all the elements to release nutrients over a long period of time supporting plants, micro-organisms and the well being of the fish. There is no added Nitrate or phosphate to encourage algae growth.

Setting up you aquarium.
It is very simple to use, simply add a 2cm layer of TetraPlant CompleteSubstrate to the bottom of the Aquarium and then cover this with 2-3cm of washed aquarium gravel. For best results use 1-3mm dia., aquarium gravel. It is important to wash the gravel as it contains a lot of dust, wash in small quantities not by the bucket. The best method is to use an old kitchen sieve and wash a few mugs full at a time under the cold water tap full on until the water runs clear from the bottom of the sieve, then put it into a bucket until you have enough to carry then tip this on top of the TetraPlant CompleteSubstrate. When finished put an old plate into the aquarium and a jug or large jar on the plate. Then fill the aquarium from a (hose not too fast) if you have a mixer tap use it to take the chill off the water not warm or hot, you might crack the glass. Run the water into the jug, the water fills the jug and runs down the sides onto the plate and fills the aquarium without disturbing the substrate. While this is filling add the Aquarium heater, filter(do not turn any electrics on leave them unplugged) and add the plants you will need more than you think, most people will spend £30+ on fish and wince at spending £5 on plants. For a 36” x 12” x 12” reckon on at least £30-£40 on plants for a general community aquarium.

When the Aquarium is filled to the required depth and you have all the Filters heaters, rocks, bogwood etc, set up, put the hood on and plug everything in one at a time checking each one is working. The heater look at it after a few minutes and you should see the convection currents raising from it, otherwise leave it running and check the thermometer every hour or so to see if the temperature is rising, you will get bubbles appearing on the inside glass and ornaments this is good and will disappear in 24 hours or so. There are two ways to go now the old fashioned way or the new. I can recommend the new unless you want to wait a week before adding any fish? Okay your impatient so after 24 hours and the temperature on the thermometer is showing 22-28°f the filter and lights are running correctly you can go to the Aquatics shop and get some fish but first make sure you have some Tetraaqua Tetra Safe Start and add 5ml of Safestart for every 6 litres of aquarium water and at the same time adding the fish, this is very important. ValueAquatics recommends a stocking level of adult fish equivalent to 1cm for every litre of Aquarium water.

Your Aquarium is now up and running enjoy it they will give hours of fun and entertainment. A couple of points:
Some plants will float up just keep pushing them into the gravel. Take off and lead weights I find that they crush the stems so they rot rather than root. Any plants that keep floating take a small flattish stone and lay the plant down putting the stone on top of the bottom of the plant stalk. Leave it for a week or so then the stone can be taken off ant the plant will be rooted. The water may not be crystal clear at first, don’t worry the fine particles will soon settle and be taken out by the filter.

TetraPlant Complete Substrate available from ValueAquatics in 2.8kg & 5.8kg buckets Tetraaqua Tetra Safe Start is available from ValueAquatics in 50ml & 100ml.

John

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