Freshwater Filtration Systems
As soon as the installation of a Freshwater aquarium has been completed and filled with water, most people crave to see it become populated with fish. This is potentially dangerous to the livestock as they can die easily. The water first needs to be conditioned as the chemical changes take place. The first stage of 25 – 36 days, no life is added to the tank. Hereafter, we add a few of the hardy selected fish species to “test the water”.
This process can be speeded up with the application of a Bacterial supplement that will allow the stocking of the aquarium within days of completion of installation.
Patience is most important during this break-in period of your new aquarium. Every aquarium follows its own rules and we work with these rules as closely as possible.
A. WATER:
Generally water is acceptable from the municipal supply, but one needs to test this water, as certain elements and particles in the water could be harmful to the fish and the water quality over the longer term. Fortunately the water can be manipulated to suit the aquarium inhabitants you plan to keep in the aquarium.
B. WATER MOVEMENT AND FLOW:
It is well documented that the capacity of water to absorb oxygen drops as the temperature increases. Circulation pumps that can provide water movement at the surface create a high oxygen exchange level between water and air. Above all, the metabolism of virtually all inhabitants is stimulated by flow, whereas oily algae are inhibited by flow.
Filtration Systems:
In modern aquaria filtration is of great importance. The beauty of an aquarium demands crystal clear water. However, in order to keep the inhabitants of the tank healthy, the invisible toxic substances must be decomposed as naturally and as far as possible. There are two types of filtration required:
1. Mechanical filtration designed as a high capacity quick-change filter. This filter removes all particulate waste caused by dead plant matter, uneaten food, fish waste etc.
2. A bio-degrading filter designed as a biological percolating, or trickle reactor. The reactor establishes aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to decompose toxic substances and convert the matter to harmless substances.
C. THE OSMOREGULATOR (Replacing Evaporated Water):
In nature, a constant water supply ensures that the high losses of water caused by evaporation are equalized, and therefore a constant water composition over long periods. Where the osmotic conditions, i.e. the content of dissolved salts (ions) are the most balanced, we find the most varied plant and fish communities in nature. The osmolators are one part of the system with which you can keep the osmotic level of your aquarium constant at all times. At a rate of evaporation of only 2 to 5ml = 30 to 100 drops, the sensor switches on the electronic system and adds water from the storage container.