Inspirational aquariums

Inspirational aquariums
The art of beautiful fishkeeping
For more information: www.tetra.net
Discover the
art of keeping
a beautiful
aquarium
Fashionable fishkeeping
You want your aquarium to be a source of
pride and joy and a wonderful, living addition
to your home. Perhaps you feel you are there
already but may be looking for inspiration for
new looks or improvements. Perhaps that is
just a dream for now and you want to make
it a reality. Either way, the advice and ideas
contained in this brochure are designed
to give you a helping hand in taking your
aquarium to the next level.
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Create a room with a view
An aquarium is no longer a means of just keeping fish. With a little inspiration and imagination
it can be transformed into the focal point of your living room. A beautiful living accessory which
changes scenery every second and adds a stunning impression in any decor.
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Aquarium design
There are many ideas to choose
from: Plants in an aquarium are
as varied as they are beautiful
and can bring a fresh dimension
to aquarium decoration as well
as new interest.
lakes of the African Rift Valley;
an Amazon riverbed, even a
coral reef in your own home.
The choices are limitless and
with almost any shape or size
possible.
Maybe you would like to
consider a more demanding
fish species such as a marine
aquarium, or a biotope aquarium
housing fish from one of the
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A planted aquarium
What is a planted aquarium?
As you can see there are some
stunning examples of planted
aquariums and results like these
are within your grasp if you
follow a few basic guidelines.
There are various degrees of
planted tanks: often live plants
are added to an aquarium to
provide interest and diversity
or a place for fish to shelter.
This often means that plants are
specifically selected to meet the
needs of the chosen fish.
In the so-called Dutch planted
aquarium the tank is designed
and maintained for the plants
with perhaps a few smaller
fish added that thrive in this
environment.
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So, if you want your fish to stand
out and be the main focus of
attention in your aquarium, you
may only want to use very few
plants in your tank. However,
if you are looking to create an
underwater world in which the
design is defined by plants, then
the traditional Dutch tank with
dense planting could be perfect
for you!
How is it different to a
community aquarium?
Aquatic plants, like any kind of
plant, require light and nutrients
to grow. In the light plants
photosynthesize, using carbon
dioxide and water to produce
carbohydrates whilst essential
nutrients like iron and trace
elements are supplied in the
water and the gravel substrate
in which they are planted.
Depending on the plant
types your aquarium may
require daylight lamps. Key
nutrients should also be
added to the water and
gravel and, in densely
planted tanks, perhaps
carbon dioxide levels need
to be supplemented to aid
photosynthesis.
Many tropical fish are
not compatible with this
environment as they will either
grow too large or eat and uproot
the plants. Carefully selecting
fish species for a planted tank
is therefore essential. Or you
could consider adding beautiful
freshwater shrimps.
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A planted aquarium
What key pieces of equipment
should I have?
Lighting is always the starting point when planning a planted
aquarium: how effectively you are able to illuminate the
aquarium will help you decide how many and which types of
plants you choose. It is important to provide lighting which is as
close to natural daylight as possible. This can be achieved with
T5 tubes which provide very effective and powerful lighting.
Another option to provide light for the planted tank is to dispose
of the tank hood completely and use powerful pendant lighting
suspended over the open topped aquarium. In a healthy planted
tank it is also important to balance the supply of carbon dioxide
and oxygen. During the day, plants may need an extra dose of
carbon dioxide to aid photosynthesis. But at night they continue
to respire and use up oxygen. That is why aeration, e.g. with one
of the Tetra APS Airpumps should be provided at night.
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What key care products should I have?
The provision of plant nutrients is vital for a
successful planted aquarium. An iron-rich porous
gravel (such as Tetra CompleteSubstrate) should be
added to the tank at the outset. If you are upgrading
an existing aquarium for plants, tablets of Tetra
Crypto should be added to the gravel near the
plant roots. Following an initial dosing, you should
replenish these at each partial water change.
Key plant nutrients tend to become exhausted in the
closed confines of an aquarium. Whilst nitrates and
phosphates can be in plentiful supply thanks to the
breakdown of the waste from the fish in the tank, you
should replenish other key nutrients manually. The most
notable of these is iron, which can become depleted in
planted tanks very quickly. Dosing the tank regularly with
Tetra PlantaMin will ensure that iron levels, along with
other key micronutrients, are in continual supply.
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A planted aquarium
How do I look after my planted aquarium?
Once established the planted aquarium
keeper becomes more of an aquatic
gardener than a fishkeeper! Traditional
maintenance tasks such as fish feeding,
water testing, filter cleaning and water
changing still need to be carried out, but
another regular task in your planted tank is
pruning your plants! Long-handled stainless
steel scissors should be used to cut off
dead leaves from time to time. Plant species
outgrowing their designated zone of the tank
should be pruned to keep them in place.
Do’s and Don’ts
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Do
Don’t
Plan how you can supply the maximum
amount of light
Add lots of fish to the tank. The oxygen levels in
planted tanks can get very low at night.
Use an iron-rich planting substrate and
dose regularly with a plant fertiliser
Add herbivores - they will damage your delicate
planting layout
Common problems in planted aquariums
There are some problems that very commonly occur in
the planted aquarium and can be dealt with very easily:
Algae
Poor plant growth
Algae are unsightly and can grow to the point
where they out-compete other plants. It is usually
an excess of nitrate and phosphate or the wrong
kind of lighting that encourages algae. As nitrates
and phosphates are derived from fish waste, overstocking the aquarium with fish can add to the
problem.
If your plants are failing to thrive in the tank
the usual cause is a lack of light, a lack
of nutrients or the wrong kind of substrate.
Good plant growth will help to keep algae down
so ensure that your plants get the light they need,
plus iron and perhaps carbon dioxide, as described
earlier.
Lighting tubes and bulbs need to be replaced
from time-to-time, so check with the
supplier to determine how often this should
be and replace if necessary. More light can be
provided by adding extra bulbs or using a reflector
above the bulb. If this is not possible then reduce the
density of planting and stock some low light tolerant
plant species such as Anubias or javafern species.
Use Tetra Crypto and Tetra PlantaMin to fertilise
through the leaves and roots.
If algae gain the upper hand, you must take fast and
targeted action with Tetra AlguMin.
A lack of nutrients will also lead to poor growth.
The use of an iron rich substrate is essential. A lack
of aquatic plant fertilizer is often a limiting factor
on many planted aquaria. The Tetra range of plant
substrates and fertilizers will overcome all of
these problems.
Expert
assistance
www.tetra.net
Tetra Hotline
00800 766 88 766
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Creating a Zen-influenced aquarium
Recently aquarium design has taken on a more
minimalist approach. The Japanese designer
and aquarist Takashi Amano is widely credited
as the inspiration for the modern Zen aquarium.
This is based on the Japanese philosophy of
wabi sabi, which finds beauty in simplicity,
irregularity and austerity. Whilst the principle
can be difficult to translate into western languages
you can use it to influence the design of your
aquarium and bring a serene and peaceful
scene to your home.
A simple vista is created in the tank focusing on
key plants, rock or wood décor. Rock and driftwood
arrangements in the tank draw heavily on Japanese
Zen principles. Also odd numbers of items are
placed asymmetrically in the tank. The age of the
rocks and the rustic nature of the driftwood impart
a majesty and simplicity to the tank.
Driftwood can be purchased from your local
aquatic store in a wide variety of shapes and
sizes. However, some types like bogwood will
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often leach brown colouration into the water and
this may well affect the aesthetics of the tank.
Your aquatic store is the best place to buy
decorative rockwork for the tank. Here the rocks
will be inert so they will not release alkaline
minerals into the water which will cause pH
instability. It is tempting to find a supply of rocks
from your local builders merchant or DIY store –
these are likely to be unsuitable for decoration in
an aquarium.
For tips on
plant growth
see page 9
There is a vast range of plants to choose from,
though a Japanese influenced aquarium would be
more limited in its choice. Perhaps one background
species such as Micranthemum micranthermoides
and Lileopsis novaezelandiae with a carpeting
species in the foreground. Java Fern (Microsorum
pteropus) is especially suited to this type of
aquarium as it can be readily fastened onto
driftwood using fine nylon thread, where it will take
hold and thrive. This gives the budding aquarium
architect a new dimension to develop their planting.
There are many options when designing your
aquarium around traditional Japanese aesthetic
values. If you wish to create a tranquil and minimal
vision in your aquarium there are other ways to
achieve this. The careful use of miniature replicas
of ancient ruins, Buddhist statues, or temple
backdrops will enhance this look.
The Tetra DecoArt
Poster and StickerSet
are quick and easy
ways to bring the
Zen theme to your
aquarium.
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Inspired by natural habitats
Another option for the creative
fishkeeper is the ‘biotope’ aquarium.
A biotope aims to perfectly recreate
the conditions found in natural
aquatic habitats such as a softwater Amazonian environment or the
harder water and rocky landscape
of Lake Tanganyika. There is a huge
number of regions to explore!
Here, we are taking some of these
regions as inspiration for an aquarium
and give you a few tips on how you
might recreate something that’s usually
only seen in a wildlife programme.
Rivers, lakes or seas?
The world’s great tropical rivers, such as the
Amazon and the Rio Negro, are the ancestral
homes of many of the fishes commonly seen in
an aquarium. The river offers numerous different
habitat types that can be recreated in your
aquarium, from upland rapids, where fast flowing
water cascades over boulders and gravel, to
tropical grasslands.
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Streaming rivers
Pea gravel and large smooth boulders should be
used to create a river scene. Ask your local aquatics
store about suitable plants, as the fast flowing water
might uproot the plants or damage the leaves. A
vigorous flow of water can be created by placing
the spraybar outlet of a TetraTec EX canister filter
at one end of the tank. Additional water movement
can be made by placing airstones in the gravel
connected to a powerful TetraTec Airpump.
The fish must be carefully selected for this type of
tank. Small shoaling species such as Neon Tetras
or zebra danios happily occupy the midwater
layers, whilst certain loricarid catfish feed on the
slime layer that grows over the smooth boulders.
Fish that are delicate swimmers such as Siamese
Fighters, should be avoided as well as those that
prefer a fine sandy substrate such as Corydoras
catfish.
Tetra’s EX range of external filters are
suitable for aquariums up to 500 litres
in size. They have been
designed to provide quick
and efficient set up and
maintenance with powerful
but quiet operation and
low power consumption.
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Natural habitats
Flooded forests
Every year following the wet season, the
mighty Amazon River bursts its banks and many
thousands of square kilometres of adjacent
forest change into a wonderful submerged
world. This flooded forest is a magnificent
habitat to recreate in your aquarium, and is one
of the simplest too.
In this environment, brown colouration of the
water and the tree canopy above create low
light levels at times, but occasional shafts of
bright sunlight can penetrate.
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To reproduce the water
conditions from forest
streams and achieve
the blackwater effect
use Tetra Blackwater
Extract. This water
conditioner contains
natural peat extract.
Your tank can be decorated with bogwood. This is
available in an infinite range of shapes and sizes
at your local aquarium store. Bogwood will leach
brown colourants into the water over time. Always
make sure you have a good functioning aeration
system, e.g. with one of our Tetra APS airpumps.
There is a vast selection of fish suitable for this type
of tank; small shoals of vibrantly coloured Cardinal
Tetras contrast strikingly with the dark backdrop
of the tank. Larger species such as angelfish or
discus gracefully glide through the woody scene.
A substrate of dark fine gravel mimics the forest
floor and will allow bottom feeding catfishes to thrive.
Tetra’s range of APS
air pumps offers
powerful air flow for
maximum oxygenation
with quiet operation.
Available in many
sizes for aquariums
up to 600 litres.
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Natural habitats
Flooded grasslands
Just as a forest floods following the wet season,
so will the grasslands adjacent to the tropical
rivers of the world. The environmental conditions
are however very different; the bright tropical sun
shines down powering the growth of vast swathes
of submerged plants. Fishes previously confined
during the dry season disperse into this fertile
habitat.
Clearly, planting is an important feature of this
habitat, and you can mimic the tropical grasses with
a backdrop across the tank of Vallisneria species
with smaller foreground ‘grasslike’ plants such as
Echinodoras tenellus.
Larger fish such as discus and angelfish will thrive
in this habitat. Or you can select small shoaling
species which will complement the delicately
planted conditions.
For tips on
plant growth
see page 9
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Your local aquatic store will be able
to supply rocks that will not affect
the water chemistry of your tank. It
should then feature a rocky backdrop
offering the fishes a vast array of
habitats and territories to retreat
into. Creative fishkeepers have
fashioned large rock caves, arches
and promontories which draw the eye
into the tank. When working with so
much heavy rockwork in a delicate
glass aquarium, it is vital to secure
large rock pieces firmly together. To
avoid the aquarium from cracking
the rockwork should never touch the
aquarium glass.
Many Lake Malawi cichlid fishes are naturally
aggressive and territorial. Ask your aquatics dealer
about suitable stocking options.
Lake scenes
The tropical rivers of the world are not the only
source of inspiration. The great lakes of the world
are home to numerous fish species which are
commonly seen in aquaria. It is the African Rift Valley
lakes of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika that are
most famous among fishkeepers. Lake Malawi is
home to the famous ‘mbuna’ cichlids, whose vibrant
colours rival those of the fishes of the world’s
coral reefs.
‘Mbuna’ aquarium
‘Mbuna’ is a Tongan word meaning ‘rockfish’. These
fishes inhabit the tiny caves and crevices between
the rocks worn smooth by wave action on the shore
of the lake. To create a truly stunning scene you will
need to source plenty of suitable rock!
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Brilliant fish in a healthy aquarium
Hopefully by now we have been able to inspire you in your choice of decoration. But
however you choose to decorate your tank, ultimately the aim is the same for us all:
brilliant fish in a beautiful aquarium.
The secret to that success is down to the quality of the water.
The good news is that a healthy aquarium is easily achievable
with the quality range of food and care products available from Tetra.
High Quality Food
The most important factor in caring for your fish and maintaining the optimum condition of the water is the
diet you feed. Poor quality diets will not only fail to provide your fish with all the nutrients they need to thrive
but will also pollute your tank as they lead to higher waste levels being produced by your fish.
Different fish also have different nutritional needs and so it’s important to find out about the needs of the
fish you have decided to keep and choose the correct food. Fortunately Tetra offers a range of diets to suit
different species. Here a just a few that you might use if you decide on one of the designs included in this
brochure:
TetraPro Crisp Foods
Using the highest quality ingredients and manufacturing techniques TetraPro Foods
deliver optimum nutrition with minimal waste. The unique Tetra crisp formula allows
for better vitamin retention and an optimum protein to fat ratio. This means your fish
will benefit from improved nutrition and digestibility, converting more of the food
to growth and health with less waste. Available in 3 varieties each ‘crisp’ delivers
a complete diet plus an additional benefit. They are also available as a menu pack
containing 4 different types of crisp for a varied diet.
TetraNatura Gel Foods
If you want to offer your fish a more natural daily diet TetraNatura
is available in a range of varieties. These unique foods, based
on Tetra’s gel-food technology, are packed in portion sized sachets
or blocks for fish that like to graze. Each one contains natural
foods with added nutrients to ensure a balanced diet.
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TetraCichlid and TetraDiscus Foods
The singular nature of the name ‘Cichlid’ fails to convey the breadth and variety of fish
that are part of this species. Large and small, peaceful and aggressive, they have
a range of varying dietary needs.
We have already spoken about the cichlid varieties from the lakes of Malawi and
Tanganyika, however the cichlid group also includes specialist fish such as discus,
as well as better known community species such as Rams, Kribensis and Angelfish.
Some Cichlids require an algae enriched diet whilst others are omnivorous or
carnivorous. Tetra’s 2-colour pellet range caters for all these needs. Larger
species such as Oscars are better fed on sticks which suit their larger mouths
and dietary needs.
TetraPlecoWafers
Fish that live on the bottom of the aquarium, such as Plecostomus Catfish, tend to be
more shy by nature. They prefer to feed at their own pace rather than join the frenzy
at normal feeding time. Their mouths are positioned underneath their bodies to allow
them to rasp away at algae on the rocks. PlecoWafers offer a balanced diet with
superior nutrition in a stable format that allows these fish to feed naturally over a
longer period.
Tetra FreshDelica
Tetra FreshDelica is the ideal treat food for giving your fish variety in their diet. Feed
your fish from a choice of fresh bloodworms, brine-shrimps and daphnia every few
days in addition to the fishes’ staple food. The nutrient-enriched jelly comes in easyto-use sachets to avoid mess. Tetra FreshDelica is an ideal treat for all tropical fish,
marine fish and goldfish.
For more help and advice
check out our on-line movies
www.tetra.net
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Ensuring water quality
Water care
6in1 Test Strips: Tetra offers the convenience of
6in1 Test Strips that allow quick and easy testing of
aquarium water parameters: nitrite, nitrate, general
and carbonate
hardness, pH,
and chlorine.
AquaSafe: A water conditioner which
immediately transforms harmful tap water into
safe water that is ideal for fish and plants. Adding
AquaSafe when starting a new tank and every time
you change the water will:
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•
Eliminate chlorine and chloramines.
•
Bond heavy metals.
•
Support the fish’s
protective mucus layer,
which also may be
damaged during water
change.
•
Support the fish’s ability
to cope with the stress.
•
Add iodine, magnesium,
and vitamin B for health
and vitality.
SafeStart: Contains a unique blend of highly
effective live nitrifying bacteria. Use when setting
up a new aquarium or when carrying out water
changes, filter maintenance and medical treatments to:
•
Biologically activate an aquarium when either
setting up or adding fish.
•
Replace lost bacteria
when carrying out filter
maintenance and water
changes as well as after
medical treatments.
•
Convert toxic ammonia
into toxic nitrite and then
into non-toxic nitrate.
EasyBalance: Keeps aquarium water
and fish healthy, without
the need for frequent
water changes. A weekly
application will:
•
Reduce nitrate
and phosphate
to permanently
low levels
resulting in far
less algae.
•
Prevent pH and KH
instability so
preventing
acid drop which can
be life threatening.
•
Add vitamins and trace elements that
are essential to a healthy aquarium.
Use our dosage calculator to
quickly work out how much
Tetra product to
use in your aquarium
www.tetra.net
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Water clarity
If you follow our advice, it is unlikely that you will have any difficulty with your
aquarium. However, in case you need additional help achieving water clarity, here
we tell you how.
Cloudy water
Cloudy water is usually due to:
-
Overfeeding
-
Improper gravel cleaning and water changes
-
Inadequate filtration
-
Overstocking
-
Setting up a new tank
-
Unsuitable drift wood
To overcome cloudy water conduct a partial (25%)
water change and treat with Tetra CrystalWater.
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This formula quickly clears up
cloudy water by binding
with suspended particle,
which are then removed
by your aquarium filter.
The first effects are
visible after 2-3 hours,
and the water will be
clear after 12 hours. You
then need to identify the
cause of the cloudy water
from the list and take
the appropriate remedial
action.
Marine aquarium
A tropical marine aquarium housing fish and invertebrates from saltwater coral reefs has to be one of the
most stunning aquariums. With the right equipment and care it is possible to create a coral reef scene
containing fish and invertebrates in your own living room.
Marine fish need saltwater
to survive, so the key to
successfully keeping them
at home is recreating the
conditions found in the open
sea. Nowadays this can be
done fairly simply with
ready to use salts such as
Tetra Marine Sea Salt.
– a protein skimmer. These clever devices use a
column of tiny bubbles to strip out dissolved organic
waste from the seawater and are a vital part of the
filtration system of the tank.
Tetra have a great range for the marine fishkeeper.
Full details can be found on our website
www.tetra.net
As you can imagine, the
diversity of fish species
available is staggering, plus the option for keeping
an even greater range of invertebrates; corals and
anemones to shrimps and crabs, makes marine
aquarium keeping one of the most exciting. Some
marine species are very challenging to keep but
many others offer the possibility of a rewarding and
beautiful tropical seas
landscape in your home.
A basic marine
aquarium with
invertebrates
will need one
extra piece of
equipment not
seen on the
freshwater tank
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Planning your aquascape
Whichever scene you choose for your aquarium, a
little research and planning before you begin will
really pay off in the long run. Ask yourself some
basic questions before you start to buy anything:
•
Which aquascape would I like to create?
(remember, some will take a little more time
and effort to recreate and maintain).
•
What kind of substrate should I choose?
•
What species of plants will I have – if any?
•
If there are plants involved will I include a
planting substrate?
•
What hard decorative items will I need: rock,
bogwood or perhaps a man-made resin
decoration?
• Which fish species are best suited to the tank –
small shoaling fish or a couple of larger
trophy species?
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When considering plants and fishes, it is crucial to
research their environmental requirements:
•
What water temperature, pH and hardness
do they need?
•
Do the plants need high levels of light or
CO2 supplementation?
•
Will the fish thrive in the aquascape you are
planning? Will the plants thrive with the fish
that are planned?
The best source of advice will be the staff in
your local aquatic store; they will be able to
comment on your planned tank in terms of fish
and plant availability, hardiness and cost. Most
significantly they will be able to advise if your
local tapwater conditions (in terms its pH and
water hardness), suit your planned aquascape.
About Tetra
Tetra was founded 60 years ago by Dr. Ulrich Baensch.
At that time fishkeeping was a complex hobby which
was only enjoyed by a small number of enthusiasts.
This was mainly because live fish food had to be
caught or cultivated in order to feed fish. Dr. Baensch
was aware of this problem and developed a complete
food for fish. His work resulted in the world’s first
complete flake food - TetraMin. As a result of
the success of many Tetra innovations over the last
60 years, Tetra has remained the global leader in
the aquatics market and today distributes to over
90 countries.
Tetra’s success as the global leader in this market has
been built on a commitment to quality and innovation.
By continuously improving its range of products and
services, Tetra makes it easier than ever to create the
ideal aquarium for your fish.
For details of our range of products or for
more information about fishkeeping please
check out the website at www.tetra.net
Taking Responsibility
As market leader, Tetra considers it a duty to treat the world and its resources
responsibly. Through constant improvement to the products, packaging, logistics and
service, Tetra not only meets the needs of the business but also protects the environment.
Tetra has adopted a continuous programme of sustainability as one of its guiding principles.
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Expert
assistance
www.tetra.net
Tetra (UK) Ltd. P.O. Box 271 Southampton SO18 3ZX
For more information: www.tetra.net
Mat.-Nr. T064600 2012 UK
00800 766 88 766
4 004218 205697
Tetra Hotline