not consistent among them. You can
easily pick up many rocks in rivers
and oceans. However, you should select
them not only by size and shape but also
keeping colors and textures in mind,
since various types of rocks are mixed in
such places. Also, because dirt and algae
are often attached to the surface of rocks
collected in nature, it is wise to wash
them well with a scrub brush before
putting them into an aquarium.
Choosing Driftwood
The conditions for collecting driftwood
are a lot more difficult. Driftwood that is
soaked in water for a long period of time,
so that its bark and soft parts are stripped
and only the harder core portion is left, is
ideal for an aquarium. Driftwood with raw
or soft parts tends to decay and develop
fungus, resulting in poor water quality.
You need to watch out for driftwood
that is somewhat light for its size,
The size and the balance of arrangement are important considerations when selecting rocks. You
should find the best orientation for the individual rocks so that they will show up best when they
have all been arranged.
DATA
Aquarium: Cube Garden W180 x D60 x H60
(cm)
Lighting: Solar (NAG-150W-Green) x 3 units,
turned on for 10 hours per day
Filter: Super Jet Filter ES-2400 (Bio Rio)
Substrate: Aqua Soil, Power Sand L, Bacter 100,
Clear Super, Tourmaline BC, Penac W/for Aquarium,
Penac P
CO2: Pollen Glass Beetle 50, 6 bubbles per second
via CO2 Beetle Counter (using Tower/20)
Aeration: For 14 hours after the light is turned off
using Lily Pipe P- 6
Additives: Brighty K; ECA
Water Change: 1/3 once a week
Water Quality: Temperature 25ºC, pH 6. 8, TH
50 mg/l, NO2 < 0.02 mg/l, NO3 < 1 mg/l, COD
(chemical oxygen demand) 4 mg/l
Aquatic Plants: Eleocharis acicularis
Fish/Invertebrates: Paracheirodon simulans,
Otocinclus sp., Crossocheilus siamensis, Caridina
japonica
[Note: The hardware itemized above represents the
author’s specific choices; equivalent results may be
obtained with other equipment and accessories—Eds.]
since it will tend to float. You can also
find driftwood easily in rivers and
oceans, but the driftwood that you
find in temperate zones with lower
average temperatures is often not
ideal. The way to determine if it can
be used for an aquarium is to check
if it is devoid of any white raw wood
and if it is adequately hard and heavy.
Driftwood that is brittle and crumbles
easily, or is extremely light and does
not sink in water, is not suitable even
if it is not raw.
