Aquariums Are Not Fish Tanks

Aquarium, what a wonderful word, it simply rollsplant medium with nutrients to help sustain the
off the tongue with the efficiency of textured silk.growth and rooting needs of your future
While of course the words 'fish tanks' conjours upaqaurium plants. This should be about 1" deep and
a bleak and hostile environment for the well beingspread fairly evenly across the aquariums base.
of our fishy friends.On top of this we suggest a layer of 'medium'
Aquariums when installed and maintained correctlygrade gravel of between 3-5mm (3/16th inch).
from the offset will often attract praise andThe gravel should be applied so that towards the
admiration from passing visitors, whilst fish tanksfront of the aquarium the thickness is of
rarely get a second look, unless of course beingapproximately half and inch, sloping gradually
viewed in their aquatic store surroundings.towards the rear of your aquariums to a depth
Aquariums should be a veritable feast to the eyesof up to one and a half inches.
as well as being a home from home for the fishNext to be added would be either some
that occupy them. Aquariums should be filled withdecorative rock or our preference of 'bogwood'.
colour and life that mimics and possiblyThe choices regarding decor is vast and this is
reproduces a small section of the real thing.where some artistic licence is permitted by the
Fish tanks on the other hand are simply glassaquarist. All we would suggest is that you allow
boxes for the keeping of fish. Devoid of plants,sufficient open water spaces for you to be able
rocks and wood, the fish tank world is definitelyto view your fish in their more extrovert
not where I would choose to hang out if I were amoments. Now you are ready to add the plant
fish. However, they are a means to an end forlife to your aquariums.
the aquatic supply store where you will find aBegin by choosing smaller species to give the
feast of fish contained within their glass wallsfront of the tank a feeling of perspective,
ready and willing, even pleading to be taken awaygradually choosing larger plants for the recesses
by their new owners and to the comfort of wellof the aquarium. Again the choice is simply
planted, aquascaped aquariums.staggering and totally at the preference of the
To begin turning fish tanks into aquariums it allbuyer. Bushy plants are particular favorites of
begins with a suitable floor. Carpets are definitelymost tropical fish, since they can seek a quiet
not found at the bottom of rivers, lakes orarea to rest and for the livebearing species
estuaries and therefore for the purpose ofavailable, a place to give birth to their young.
growing aquarium plants for fish to hide, play andOur wish is that you choose to keep you fish
spawn a careful decision must be made by thewithin aquariums rather than fish tanks so that
aquarist (aquarium enthusiast) as to the types ofthe fish contained within them have a happy
substrate that is suitable. For the purpose of thishome to live in, and that you gain the respect and
article I shall be attempting to assist you in thoseadmiration of your friends and family for having
decisions for the more popular community tropicalsuch a beautiful picture of moving, living colour
fish.within your home.
I suggest you begin by laying a layer of 'aqualit', a