If you don't want a background, you don't need to have one. However, the glass pebbles will have sharper edges whereas the gravel will just become finer. Glass pebbles over time will break down, as is natural, and gravel will erode as well. You need good bacteria to keep the nitrogen levels in your tank in check. Glass pebbles aren't necessarily bad for your fish, they simply do not provide as much surface area for good bacteria to colonize. They are a better alternative to colored glass pebbles which, however pretty, are not always the best choice for a large fish tank. They create a natural look for the tank and they are easy to clean. Gravel and stones are popular choices for freshwater tanks. This means that you will need to replace sand more often than you would have to replace gravel. It also tends to end up in whatever you are using to collect your waste water. Since the sand is smaller and lighter than gravel, it tends to travel higher up the tube. If you plan on doing gravel washes, which you should strongly consider, sand can make them more annoying. Sand will also give your tank more of a saltwater feel, which many people desire. They will bury themselves in the sand, which would be nearly impossible for them to do safely in a tank with gravel as the substrate. If you are considering a freshwater ray, then you need to have a large bottom with sand. Eels will spend most of their time on the bottom, and if you have a rocky substrate, they will rub their bodies raw, which is bad for them. If you want fish like eels or knifefish, you need to have a sandy bottom. Sometimes the type of fish you want will dictate what kinds of substrate you have to use. Do you want to use glass pebbles? Do you want the tank to be colorful or more natural? The most important thing to consider when choosing a substrate is your fish. Do you want a sandy bottom? What about small gravel, or large? You can even use small stones. You should test your water and consider getting an aerator for your tank.The first thing you want to consider is what kind of substrate to use. Try fasting your fish for a day or two or feeding it easy-to-digest foods such as peas.įish Gasping for Air: If your fish look like they are gasping for air at the top of the aquarium, this is a sign that either your water quality is poor or there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water. A common disease that would cause this behavior is a swim bladder infection, which is a result of a poor diet or water quality. If you think this is the case, you should quarantine the fish. If your fish’s activity, however, does not seem to fit either of these reasons, and he looks tired and listless at the bottom of the tank, it may be a sign of disease. Fish also often sleep at the bottom of their tank. Many fish, like catfish, are bottom-feeders and spend their time there. Sitting on the Bottom: If your fish is spending lots of time at the bottom of the tank, it may be normal behavior. Other possible causes are overfeeding and improper water quality. Check your heater and verify that your aquarium is at the right level. If your fish’s water is too hot or too cold, they will be very inactive. One common cause is improper water temperature. Listlessness: If your fish seem tired and lethargic, it can be as a result of many factors. If your fish is rubbing himself up against something in the tank, then swimming quickly away, he may have an external parasite. If everything is in order, the cause of your fish’s erratic behavior may could be a parasite. You should test your water for pH, ammonia, and nitrates immediately to see if anything is improper and harming your fish. If your fish does it this consistently and seems unhealthy, the cause may be poor water quality. Have a good variety of different types of fish.įish Swimming Erratically: If your fish is swimming erratically, he could just be playing or exercising.Change the scenery periodically and always before adding new fish, so as to eliminate territorial claims.Make sure there are plenty of hiding spaces in your tank for more submissive fish.Make sure your aquarium is large enough to accommodate all of your fish.Try to vary between both top-feeders and bottom-feeders.
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