Substrates

Question 1

What is the purpose of substrates

Answer 1

• Aesthetics - look naturalistic
• Role in the nitrogen cycle
• Allows natural behaviours (foraging)
• Some fish scatter their eggs on bottom of the tank. If the bottom of tank is bare more likely to be consumed by other fish in tank

Question 2

What are the different types of substrate

Answer 2

• Sand
• Gravel
• Soil
• Pebbles

Question 3

Advantages and Disadvantage of using sand inside the tank?

Answer 3

• considered most natural
• wide range of grain sizes
• comes in different colours
• barely any gaps between grains

Disadvantage
- string filtration system will easily remove the grains from the bottom of the tank

Question 4

Advantages and Disadvantages of using gravel

Answer 4

• rather small
• available in wide range of materials
• small gaps between the pebbles
• can use a gravel vac to remove waste
• safe to use

Disadvantages
- regular gravel vacuuming recommended
-

Question 5

Advantages and Disadvanatages of soil

Answer 5

• provides the nutrients for plants to grow

Disadvantages
- get very muddy water
- muddy water can stress teh fish
- can’t see through the dirt

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of using pebbles

Answer 6

• made from any material

Disadvantages
- large gaos left wehn they are layered
- uneaten food and faeces can enter these holes and build up

Question 7

When should you not use substrates

Answer 7

• grow out tanks ( used to hatch eggs and raise young fry)
• Hospital tanks (used to temporarily hold newly purchased fish or ailing animals that need quiet environment to heal)