Cichlid: Substrate & Decoration

Rocks and a substrate level of sand/pepples/etc are often used to decorate your aquarium. When positioning rocks in your aquarium, you should aim to minimize the amount of rock that touches gravel. With less contact, less detritus will collect. You should also consider the rock itself, however - what's interesting about the rock and at what angles can it be positioned so as not to break contact with the surface of the tank.

There are several things to be aware of when selecting a material (sand, pebbles, etc) for the base layer (substrate layer) of your aquarium: type of material, depth, etc.

Different substrate (the material you put in the bottom of your aquarium) colors will impact the color of your fish. Paul will explain this as well as give you advice on the optimal size of substrate pebbles for your aquarium as well as the optimal depth that the layer should have. As Cichlid aquariums are not ideal for plant growth, they have very different optimal substrate depths than do aquariums which include plants. In this lesson, Paul will tell you how to decide on the depth of your substrate/pebbles/sand/etc.

When detritus collects around rocks or within the gravel in your aquarium, it is time to clean the gravel or clean around the rock. This will help you avoid the formation of bad (anaerobic) types of bacteria. These types of bacteria release Hydrogen Sulfide, which can kill your fish.

This lesson also covers the use of artificial plants - when can you use them, what should you keep in mind, how can you anchor them, etc. Additionally, Paul will talk about the usage of driftwood - what types of driftwood can be used, how does driftwood impact the color of fish, what do you need to consider before using driftwood with American versus African cichlids, and how can you reduce the tannic color released by the driftwood into your water.

This lesson is an excerpt from the instructional DVD guide, Cichlid, a clear and easy way to introduce you to these interesting fish. The host, Paul Talbot, uncovers the vast world of all kinds of different Cichlids and teaches how to select them and set up an aquarium for them. He takes you through the entire process of owning, setting up and maintaining a Cichlid aquarium and also explains basic concepts in fish health and tank maintenance. This DVD was created to be used as an aid to choosing the right fish and aquarium for you. It's also great for experienced fish keepers who are looking for a new challenge!

Fore more information on this DVD, please visit: www.cichliddvd.com

Paul Talbot and Brendan Jarvis are the key players behind the Exclusive Fish Films and Exclusive Tropical Guide educational tools. Their collective passion for and interest in home aquariums and aquatic life are what first brought them together to release Instructional DVDs, and they've worked together to bring that passion and aquatic expertise to global viewers ever since.

Paul's childhood interest in fish species and aquariums led him to take his first job in the aquarium industry, and he has since turned that passionate hobby into a stunning career as a fish keeping expert and consultant. Professional credits to his name include several articles in local and international magazines,...

Tremendously Helpful!

06/10/2009

~ ht1979

Paul's lesson was very helpful in my efforts to research and plan out our cichlid aquarium. I had no idea where to start and was obviously off-base on several of my assumptions that came from my experience with other types of aquariums. Well done!

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