Aquascaping Philosophy

This was an article I wrote for BarrReport Advanced Aquascaping Section.  I figure people should have a place to access this even if they're not a subscriber at BarrReport, so I'm posting it here.


Title:  Aquascaping Philosophy 101




Birth of an Art Form:


Only thousands of years ago, man had little outlet in the means of expressing his creativity outside of making pictures on cave-walls with mud or a by using a rock as a chisel.  Our drawings could become more sophisticated only as the dyes became better, and the media became more refined.  How easy it is to forget the invention of paper, the invention of ink.  Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement only became possible with the invention of ceramics.  Sculptors emerged with the refinement of chisels and mallets.  The painter as we know him only emerged with the invention of the canvas.  Two hundred years ago there were no professional photographers, and fifty years ago there were no computer graphics artists.


Aquascaping also, is just one more in a series of creative paths (I'll use "creative path" and "art form" interchangeably throughout this article) that has made itself available to people with the advancement of technology.  Technology gave us the mass-produced glass tank, powerful artificial light, CO2 injection, and the airplanes that allow us access to the soils, stones, wood and living things around the world.  I believe there are many people in the world of fish keeping who do not see Aquascaping as an art at all, but just another way of keeping fish.  They think this way because they see the aquarium for only its traditional use of keeping fish, and do not see it as the vessel of a new art form.  Thinking this way is like thinking that ikebana is not an art form because the pot's traditional use is storing water.
Though the individual technologies that have made Aquascaping possible may not all be the most cutting edge in principle, it is only recently that these technologies have really come together to be used as an art form.  Even if the individual technologies are not very new, and have a traditional purpose (basically keeping fish alive for us to enjoy watching) once they are used for a creative path, they have a different purpose.  A tank can be used for its original purpose, but it can also used for a different purpose-- and the purpose of Aquascaping is like the purpose of other art forms:  That is, the search to create beauty.
People follow creative paths for a number of reasons, but the most basic one is to create beauty-- and as technology progresses there will continue to be more paths opened to them for this purpose.


Why do we need so many art forms?
And more specifically, why Aquascaping?
It is true that it seems strange that there should need to be so many art forms when many have very similar goals in mind.  A landscape photo or a landscape painting -- they both exist for capturing the beauty of nature, and yet people still have a love for more than one form, and the artists in them seek different forms.  That is because each form has its own weaknesses and strengths, requires different skill-sets, and gives a slightly different feeling.  Photography is stronger than painting at accurate rendition and detail, but painting is not limited to objects that are real.  Pixel-based computer graphics is good at detail, and can draw anything the mind can imagine, but it is limited to the colors of your computer screen and printer (not to mention the available memory of your computer, lol).
Aquascaping, like photography, has its limits as to what it can render.  In terms of subject matter, it is even more limited than photography.  After all, alongside not being able to render giant robots, fairies and unicorns, it is not even able to capture airplanes, city streets, or the everyday moments of suburban life.


Aquascaping is pretty limited to just nature-- and even then, not able to super accurately render real places, but more of a metaphorical-representation or otherwise sheer fantasy of nature.  Bottom line is Aquascaping is a pretty limited art form in many ways.


With that said accuracy and flexibility are just two of many aspects.  Many people feel that painting has a better "human aspect" than photography-- the very fact that paintings are imperfect in rendering, lends them a better glance of human emotions, thoughts, and the struggle with our limitations.  This "human aspect" is very important to people.
Aquascaping, more so than painting, photography, or almost any other art-form, carries a strong "living aspect."  This incredible "living aspect" comes from the simple fact that Aquascapes are alive.  People have strong connections to life and nature because they are alive and part of nature-- they can see it as beautiful.  People paint landscapes because of a love for this beauty.  People invented aquariums because they wanted to admire the living things they could keep inside it.  Aquascaping actually uses the original purpose of fish keeping, as one of its tools to increase one of its facets:  The "Living Aspect."




Aquascaping is an art that draws strength from its "living aspect" combined with its unique ability for metaphorical-representation, which was the original purpose of painting, and has its limits not from human limits but from nature's limits.  




Those limits are mostly concerned with what organisms and materials are usable inside the aquarium.  Remember that limits are not always a bad thing-- like painting the limitations of Aquascaping in some ways makes it stronger; they enhance its "living aspect."  Combine these features together, and you get an art form that possesses incredible intensity.  Whether it's a small desk tank or Amano-sensei's house aquarium, a well done Aquascape pulses with life so strongly that it's hard not to be captivated, hard to move one's eyes away.  Aquascapes are hypnotizing.


Please tank a look at the illustration in the link below:
[link]
This is an illustration I did last year.  I had it printed on canvas sheet and framed.  I have some skill at computer graphics, so it is a nice work and some people who have seen this and works like it have told me to go into professional painting or illustration.  However, here is the interesting thing:


A drawing this good, gets no attention at all when hung in the same room as my aquarium.


Both my aquarium and this painting are by the right wall of my dorm room.  I have oriented my bed to double as a sofa for people to sit on and relax when they visit me.  It's also oriented so they will look at the painting and the aquarium.  Do they notice this painting?  Not at all-- everyone just sits and is completely mesmerized by the aquarium.  The painting would never be noticed if I did not point it out.  Even I almost never look at it and sometimes forget it is even there.  I am sure the majority of Aquascape owners have seen this as well:  When someone walks into the room, all they can look at is the Aquascape.  It's like the whole room revolves around it.  


That's because more than painting, photography, computer graphics or almost any other standing art form:  Aquascaping has intensity.  This intensity, this sheer eye-catching brute strength, is what makes Aquascaping a great art form despite all its other limitations.


Alright, so the "Living Aspect" is incredible, but why freshwater planted?
I have a heard this question many times, particularly in comparing planted tanks to saltwater tanks.  When people think of a "hard core aquarium" they generally think of salt-water.  Just the other day, a friend of mine who was walking to my room with me to see my aquarium said, "Oh, it is fresh-water?  So that means you're a pansy right?"  Well, she said that before we got to my room.
A salt-water aquarium does have huge visual intensity, just like planted tanks.  Another point raised is that salt-water has fish that are often more incredible and colorful than freshwater fish.  It's crazy to see and people go to full scale aquariums (the kind with seals, dolphins and biotope exhibits) in order to see these creatures.  However, this visual power, also is what gives saltwater its weakness:  It's too over-the-top.
If there's a lionfish in the tank, no one thinks "Wow, what a beautiful tank."  They think, "Wow, what an amazing fish!"  Power is good, but it's no good if it totally takes the creative aspect out of the work.  If you take out the creative aspect, you no longer are on a "creative path."  
Perhaps an even greater weakness to salt-water, and this weakness applies to biotopes as well, is that the metaphorical-representation capability, that was half of Aquascaping's strength, is basically gone.  People are almost completely incapable of seeing saltwater corals and fish as anything but what they are:  corals and fish.  This same weakness applies to salt water "planted" tanks with seaweed and algae:  People don't think "mountain," they think "mound of seaweed."  Without metaphorical representation, you almost completely lose the creative aspect, and fall off the "creative path."  Basically, you end up back where we started with the traditional purpose of aquariums:  Enjoying fish.
When people dive into the ocean, they feel like they've "entered another world."  Even those who spend a great amount of their time snorkeling.  I also spent my childhood in Hawaii, but when I swim with the sea life, I feel like I'm just a visitor.  Human instincts are not wired to think of the sea as their home.  We cannot see it as anything but what it is, and it is always something amazing-- but also something that is alien.
Freshwater tanks use angiosperms, ferns, and bryophytes-- these are plants not so different from the ones that are a part of our terrestrial existence.  When we see freshwater Aquascapes we can think "mountain" or "meadow," "forest" or "shore."  These places and things are part of our deepest instincts and memories, and places that we can call home or long to live in or go to.  Because of this, freshwater planted tanks are capable of metaphorical representation, and therefore have a way to a "creative path."


Using the power and intensity of "Life Aspect," and combining with the creative aspect of "Metaphorical Representation," one is able to open a new creative path:  Aquascaping.


courtesy - http://stevenchong-no-gmf.deviantart.com/journal/Aquascaping-Philosophy-101-250999050#comments

I have started one scape recently for my shop. Luckily, I have taken pics of the different stages of setup, so this can be termed as a not so detailed journal. I always think, when I am contemplating a scape, that I will do a detailed journal, like the ones I see so often in different forums, but almost always when I am actually starting the scape, I do not have a camera with me. So I miss out. Somehow this time I was more conscious, so I had taken few snaps. Please let me know what all you guys think about the work that has been done as on date.

The hard scape.

Have had planted HC Cuba and E Parvula yerterday. This is a DSM phase. Will add some more plants. Suggest some plants please. I will add Hydrocotyle Siberpothoides surely, may be Staurogene Sps. Pics after planting. The planting plan is not final and plants will be moved around to get the desired effect.

Some pics after planting. 

IAPLC 2011 - 1106 Rank worldwide.

A scape for Aquarium and pet expo at Hyderabad 2011.

Aquatic Layout Guide- Rules of Composition: The Golden Ratio, Creating Perspective and Layout Shapes

http://www.thegreenmachineonline.com/articles/tips-techniques/aquatic-layout-guide-rules-composition-the-golden-ratio-creating-perspectiv

Aquascapes, like all art forms, have a plethora of rules of guidance and application. These rules exist to guide us towards success, and succeed in doing so. But remember, rules exist only to guide, and a skilled artist can actually enhance their work by bending or breaking the accepted rules if done so in just the right artistic manner. Aquatic artistry is no different, and this article will talk you through the basic ideas of composition and design, highlighting the rules along the way and helping you to learn to use and break them to gain the artistic effect that you desire, whilst maximising the beauty and impact of your design.

First, we will examine ‘The Golden Ratio’ and how to create perspective in an aquarium, before looking at some common aquarium layouts.

Working with the rule of thirds, or ‘The Golden Ratio’

The Golden Ratio was realised by the ancient Greeks and has been used in all art forms for thousands of years. It provides a guide to achieve the perfect balance within a work of art, or any endeavour that involves placing objects in a space.

How to use it

Imagine that there are four lines (two horizontal and two vertical) running through your tank, splitting it into nine equal sections. Wherever the lines cross is a golden focus point for your aquascape, and marks where you should consider positioning prominent features like main stones, wood shapes or bold/red plant species. The same process can be done when considering planning the height of plants and hard-scape; place the focal points at 1/3 or 2/3 of the height of the tank, and remember to consider the height that your plants will grow to. You can use it to plan the overall scape of your tank, for example you can choose to have 1/3 planted and 2/3 negative space, or vice versa. There are almost an infinite number of combinations to play with, and all can help you achieve stunning results.

Breaking the rules...

Remember that not all of the rules must be followed all the time. Whilst it may be advisable for beginners to stick more stoically to the rules of composition, a focal point that breaks the rules will demand attention in the most commanding manner by bringing tension and interest to the scape, resulting in a truly breathtaking effect.

Red lines - The Golden Ratio grid
Green and Blue lines - work with triangles

Creating Perspective

This can be one of the greatest challenges in an aquarium as aquariums often do not have enough depth (from front to back) to give a deep enough sense of perspective. This can be achieved with careful planting and positioning of hardscape, and the use of The Golden Ratio helps with this to no end.

The problem...

A common mistake when positioning hardscape is to place stones or wood in a very unnatural, straight line from left to right. This results in a flat, two-dimensional image.

The solution...

To avoid this, imagine your tank as consisting of several images, or screens, layered one after the other from the front to the back of the tank, each with a small gap in between, so that each image is slightly further away from the first. Make sure that when you place your hardscape, you place it in a variety of ‘screens’, so that it spans a variety of points in the depth of your tank. Some pieces of hardscape can share the same ‘screen’, or point of depth, but the key is to create points of perspective from the the front, and these points should be the lowest, to the back where they will be the highest. Like The Golden Ratio, this is a guide, and only a guide, to creating a good sense of perspective within the aquarium. The more experienced artistic eye will learn to manipulate the rules and use and break them where desired to create a truly beautiful, individual scape.

Top view. The different shades of green represent layers of perspective and depth (front to back).

Layouts

There are three common layouts;

• 'The U Shape'
• 'The Triangle'
• 'The Island'

'The U-Shape'

The negative, or open space, will be in the centre of the aquarium. Alternatively if you are using the rule of two thirds, it will be off centre. There will be higher planting to the left and right hand sides of the aquarium.

U-Shape layout frontal view.

U-Shape layout top view.

The Traditional Method...

When the negative space in the middle has been chosen, the next step is to select what plants to use and where to position them. This should be done carefully and several elements need to be considered in order to plant a successful scape. First, one should consider the growth habits of the plant; what height will it grow to, and how fast will it achieve that height. Thought should be invested in how the maintenance of the plants will be carried out; if you want the plant growth in one area of the tank to be at a height of 5cm, but choose a plant that grows very rapidly to 8cm, then you will be forever trimming and maintaining your tank, making it hard to maintain the ‘U’ shape and achieve your vision.

A New Way...

As with all art, especially relatively new artforms, trends have changed over the years and techniques have developed. The traditional technique is to use plants such as Glosstigma Elatinoides, small Cryptocorne species like C. Parva and regularly pruned stem plants to create the ‘U’ shape. A relatively new and modern alternative to this is to use decorative sands and graded gravels in the place of Glossostigma, wood and stones to create the ‘U’ shape, and plants to soften the harsh edges of the hard-scape. This technique leads to a feeling of looking down a river or deep gorge enveloped in a tall, exotic canopy of wild green foliage.

'The Triangle'

This is a successful compositional layout in cases where the tank is in the corner of the room and viewing angles are restricted. It consists of planting the area of the tank in the corner of the room, by the wall, and then gradually reducing the height of the planting as it moves further away from the wall, as though the plants are naturally creeping in towards your living space.

Triangle layout frontal view.

Triangle layout top view.

Thirds

Despite the apparent simplicity of this arrangement, careful consideration is needed. The first thing to consider is the negative, or open, space. With this layout the rule of two thirds is often used, with plants making up two thirds of the space and the final third being left as negative space. A further tip is to utilise triangles throughout the scaping of the tank to highlight the composition and dimensions. For example, wood or stones are often used to counter balance the triangular planting of this design by pointing them in the opposite direction; often up into the far/top corner in the open area. This style lends itself to an open sand area for Corydorus sp and brings a spacious feel to an aquarium.

Planting

The second thing to be considered is the choice of plants. For manageable maintenance, and optimum success, ensure that plants are chosen with an eye to maintaining desired height levels; stem plants are few and far between in this arrangement due to their growth habits. Where they are used, they are in the corner of the aquarium where the planting is at its greatest height.

The Island

This is the least commonly used layout, and is often only used by aquarists who have a large aquarium to plant. The style is fairly self explanatory; all the main hardscape and planting is in the centre of the tank, and the height radiating from high in the centre to lower on the edges. Triangles are also used in this design, but in more dynamic ways.

Island layout frontal view.

Island layout top view.

Planting

Stem plants often give the main body of height with more long term plants such as Cryptocorne species providing long term biomass. This is, of course, only a guide and could and should be adapted where desired. For example, it could be adapted for an Iwagumi design, using low growing plants and using the hard scape and the height of the substrate to provide the island shape. This style is one of the few that allows you to position the island in the centre of the aquarium, but it can also be placed off-centre depending on your desired style. It should be noted, however, that although the island can be central it is best to avoid dominant stones, wood or plants being central.

http://www.thegreenmachineonline.com/articles/tips-techniques/aquatic-layout-guide-rules-composition-the-golden-ratio-creating-perspectiv

Freshwater Aquarium Setup

1. Choosing the Right Aquarium:
Although it is important to choose an aquarium that you think will look good in your living room, there are other equally important considerations that affect the ongoing expense as well as the health of the inhabitants!

     In general we have found that stability of the environment is the most important secret to successful fish keeping. A lot of material has been written about the ideal environment for various species of fish, whether they like warm water or cold water, high Ph or low Ph, hard water or soft water, but this is generally useful only if you are attempting to breed the fish or are planning on keeping a very sensitive fish that is known to be challenging. In choosing all of the items and the fish themselves, always keep in mind the stability of the environment.

     One of the first choices you will face is whether to purchase a glass or acrylic aquarium. The differences are listed in the box below.

Acrylic Aquarium vs. Glass Aquarium

1. Acrylic is a better insulator than glass so a smaller heater will work for the same sized aquarium and temperature fluctuations happen slower. This is good for stability!

2. Acrylic is clearer than glass. It actually lets 14% more light through than glass.

3. Acrylic can have a much greater variety of shapes. Acrylic aquariums commonly have rounded corners (rather than seams) and usually have a more 'contemporary' look. Acrylic coffee tables and even bubble tanks can be found.

4. A disadvantage of acrylic is that it scratches much easier (be careful with inside decorations) so special cleaning pads must be used. NEVER use a brillo pad or a green pot scrubber on an acrylic aquarium.

5. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of acrylic is the cost. Usually an acrylic aquarium will cost 2 to 3 times what a similar sized glass aquarium would.

6. Acrylic can be shipped via postal, UPS, or FedEx. Glass aquariums cannot be shipped by these carriers so you must purchase them from a pet store.

2. Size of the Aquarium
     Always choose the largest size that fits your living room and your budget!

     Don't be fooled into thinking that the smaller the aquarium the easier it will be. Actually, the larger the aquarium is the more stable it will be and the easier it will be to maintain healthy fish. The amount of oxygen available (which is critical to fish survival) is determined mainly by the amount of surface area of the aquarium (not just the size) since oxygen enters the water primarily at the surface. Although aeration, with an air stone or a power head, seems like it is directly adding oxygen to the water, most of the benefit comes from moving water from the bottom of the aquarium to the surface where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide.

     Water movement at the surface also increases oxygenation and will generally increase the stocking capacity as well as the health of the fish. Keep in mind that airstones and powerheads can (and generally will) fail at some time or another so don't overstock an aquarium to the point that your fish will die if the power goes out for a couple of hours! It is almost always more desirable to have a few less fish that are colorful and healthy than to push the limits of the tank and risk loosing some of your fish. Not only are fish happier, but the maintenance is easier!

     The larger the aquarium, or the fewer the fish, the greater is your chance of having a successful experience!

3. Filters and Filtration

     There are three main types of filtration for freshwater aquaria: biological, mechanical, and chemical.

     Utilizing each of these three types of filtration will provide you with the most stable and most easily maintained aquarium. General aquarium filters manufactured today include each of these three main types of filtration in some manner.

     We will also mention several other methods below, that are more commonly used in reef systems, but that can also be beneficial for fish only systems.

The three main types of filtration are:

1. Biological Aquarium Filtration:

     This is the most important type of filtration for stability and reduction of toxic wastes.

    

 Nitrification: In any biological environment there will be a production of ammonia from normal respiration (fish release ammonia from their gills) and the breakdown of wastes. Ammonia is toxic to fish and in nature is reduced to nitrite by a bacteria called Nitrosonomas. Nitrite is also poisonous to fish and is further broken down into nitrate by bacteria called Nitrobacter. Nitrate is relatively harmless to fish but is a primary food for plants and algae. Frequent water changes (say 10% every week or two) will control nitrate levels. Collectively the process of turning ammonia to nitrate is called nitrification and is carried out in the presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions).
     

Denitrification: This is the process where nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions). Denitrification is generally not of concern to the freshwater aquarist unless the control of nitrates is desired (See Reef Aquarium Basics ).

Sponge filters work by passing water over a highly porous sponge where bacteria are allowed to grow. They are almost purely biological with some mechanical filtration provided by the sponge itself. The sponge should not be cleaned or allowed to dry out because this will kill the nitrifying bacteria. Sponge filters are good for breeding situations where very small fish are at risk of being sucked up by the strong intake currents of canister filters or overflows. They are also good for fish like bubble-eyed goldfish that may be injured by strong intake currents of power or canister filters. Sponge filters can be powerd by air pumps or small water pumps.

 Undergravel filters are the most common type of biological filter and work by pulling water down through a bed of gravel at the bottom of the aquarium and pulling it up through the uplift tubes. Reverse flow undergravel filters are set up to pull water from the top of the aquarium by pushing it down the uplift tubes and up through the gravel. Reverse flow filters are slightly more efficient since they take water from the top of the aquarium which contains more oxygen.

     

Since nitrification is more efficient in the presence of oxygen and the air contains about 20% oxygen, as compared to about 7% oxygen for water, trickle or wet/dry filters were developed in the 1980's which increased the efficiency of biological filters dramatically. They place the bacterial growing medium, filter balls with large surface areas, in the air (usually outside the aquarium) and trickle the water to be filtered over them. Many kinds, sizes, and shapes of trickle filters have been in use since they were introduced. Although many trickle filters are external devices used in a sump or hang on the back type of filters, several manufacturers including the "Sea Clear System II" aquarium contain trickle filters built into the back of the aquarium itself. The problem with trickle filters is they usually produce high levels of nitrate, and so are not often used in reef aquariums or other situations where nitrates are undesireable. 

     

Canister filters have a containers or baskets inside the filter for various filter media. For biological filtration you would fill it with some sort of biological media, such as bio balls. This media will either come with the filter or can be purchased separately. Once the bacteria colony has been established on this media you will not need to remove it or clean it.

     

Standard Power filters use disposable cartridges that have a floss pad surrounding them. This pad is primarily for mechanical filtration but will also house nitrifying bacteria. The drawback to this as a primary biological filter is when you dispose of the cartridge, you dispose of the bacteria colony as well. Today there are more advanced power filters that include a separate area for biological media. These are usually in the form of a compartment in the filter filled with biological media or an attached external 'bio wheel', a pleated wheel that the water flows over as it is leaving the filter and returning to the aquarium.

2. Mechanical Water Filtration:

Mechanical filtration is good for keeping the water clear and free of debris!

     

Mechanical filtration refers to the removal of particulate matter from the aquarium.  Canisters and power filterswhich force the water through some kind of floss or pleated cartridge are both examples of mechanical filtration. Some canister filters such as the "Hot Magnum" provide one media basket for your choice of mechanical filter media or carbon. Other canister filters have more than one basket for a combination of mechanical, chemical (carbon), and biological filtration. Undergravel filters also act as mechanical filters by trapping debris in the gravel. This is one reason the gravel should be siphoned periodically to remove trapped debris.

     

Diatomaceous earth filters, commonly available in canister filters, can remove particles as small as 3 microns in size which really 'polishes' the water. They can be used to remove bacteria and algae blooms but generally clog after a short period of time and should not be used on a continuous basis.

3. Chemical Aquarium Filtration

Chemical filters are most useful in getting rid of the yellow color that often develops in aquarium water over time!       Chemical filters are used to remove things that are dissolved in the water, and therefore cannot be removed by mechanical filters. The most common chemical filter is activated carbon, used mostly in canister and power filters, it traps many substances in it's minute pores. According to Martin Moe in his book, The Marine Aquarium Handbook, some of the substances removed by activated carbon are: copper, ozone, chlorine, antibiotics, some dissolved proteins and carbohydrates, iodine, mercury, cobalt, iron, methylene blue (a common medication), malachite green (another medication), sulfa drugs, organic dyes, and many other elements and compounds.       Other chemical media include: Ammo-chips for removing ammonia Nitra-zorb for removing nitrates Phos-zorb for removing phosphates     Nitrate and phosphate control is usually not needed in freshwater aquariums unless the levels become very high, or there is a continual problem with undesireable algae blooms.       Mini-reef aquariums are the most likely candidates for nitrate and phosphate removers if other means of control don't work.       Note: Many of the common aquarium medications including antibiotics are removed by activated carbon. Therefore activated carbon should not be used when treating the aquarium for disease.

Other aquarium filtration methods:

Foam Fractionators, or protein skimmers Protein skimmers work by passing a large stream of small bubbles through a column of aquarium water. Many different substances (proteins) will adhere to the surface of the bubbles and be removed from the water in the foam that bubbles from the top.      Skimmers are beneficial because they remove substances before they enter into the nitrification cycle which reduces nitrates and increases oxygenation of the aquarium water. One of the drawbacks to skimmers is that they remove trace elements and iodine which, if needed by any of the aquarium inhabitants, must be replaced periodically. This is not usually an issue in freshwater or saltwater aquariums, but both types can benefit from the use of a protein skimmer.

Ultraviolet sterilization
Ultraviolet sterilization works by passing water through ultraviolet light. If the water is exposed long enough, at a high enough concentration of light, bacteria, algae, and parasites can be destroyed by the light. This is used extensively in ponds to help with algae and green water. Treatment of diseases in aquariums requires the most amount of exposure. The smallest units ( 8-9 watt) are made for tanks up to 50 gallons, while the larger 40 watt units are made for tanks up to 180 gallons. For pond applications, 8 watts per 1000 gallons is needed to kill off algae (green water) but is not effective for disease control.

Ozone
     Ozone can be passed through aquarium water to oxidize all forms of organic pollutants and kill many of the same organisms that ultraviolet radiation does. Commonly used in skimmers, one should make certain the materials used are "ozone safe" and that the water is passed through activated carbon before returning it to the aquarium because any residual ozone in the water is extremely toxic to the fish. Ozone is useful mainly in large public aquariums and ponds to keep the water from coloring.

Choosing the Inhabitants

1. Stocking Capacity of a Freshwater System
     The first thing you probably want to know is how many fish you can keep in a particular sized aquarium.

     The two most common formulas for the amount of fish you can safely keep are:

Simple method:   Keep one inch (1") of fish for each one (1) gallon of water.
     This simple method doesn't take into account the surface area of the water (for oxygenation), the filtration system (for removal of wastes), and the general size of the fish. For instance, a fish that is 6 inches long needs a lot more oxygen than 6 fish that are 1 inch long. In general you should reduce the amount of fish if they are larger, and increase the amount of fish if they are smaller.

Surface method:   Calculate the surface area of the aquarium.
     Multiply the length of the aquarium times the width of the aquarium (in inches) and divide by 12 to get the number of inches of fish the aquarium can handle.
     This surface method takes into account the aquarium shape but not the filtration or the size of the fish. The second formula favors aquariums that are shorter and wider i.e. not 'showtanks' which are taller and skinnier.

     Note: Neither formula is for coldwater aquariums! In coldwater aquariums you should keep about 2 1/2 times LESS fish than in a tropical aquarium. This means that the surface area should be divided by 30 to get the number of COLDWATER fish for a freshwater aquarium.

     In general the more complicated formulas are not worth the trouble if you don't approach the maximum number of fish calculated by the above formulas. Perhaps if anyone shows interest, we can write more on this later.

2. Community Aquarium? or Species Aquarium?     

One of the funnest things about setting up an aquarium is choosing the fish!

You should probably have some idea of what type of fish you want to keep before stocking the tank to avoid problems later. Do some research on each fish before adding them to your aquarium.
     Some fish are predatory or aggressive and so should be kept either by themselves, or with other predatory species. Aggressive species include Oscars, Jack Dempseys and many cichlids.
     Some fish are slow feeders, or are very shy and should be kept by themselves in a species tank. A good example of this is Discus fish.

Maintenance, Care, Feeding

1. Water Quality
     By most accounts freshwater systems need partial water changes on a regular basis.

     The recommended water change is to change about 15% per month. Note that this is lower than what is usually recommended for saltwater. In deciding how much and how often you wish to do water changes, keep in mind that for stability, smaller water changes done frequently are best. The main reason for water changes is to remove compounds that are not removed by any of the filtration methods such as nitrates and phosphates. Water changes also serve to replenish trace elements, and to clean the gravel of accumulated detritus and waste.

     Any activated carbon you are using should be replaced monthly.

2. Feeding
     Make sure and find out any special feeding requirements your fish may have before purchasing them and be sure you can provide them what they need!

     In any case, get your fish to eat as many different kinds of food as you can to ensure they are getting everything they need. Some fish are used to eating all the time so they should be fed as often as is practical (always small amounts at least once per day) while others, like eels can go for several days without food at all. The more you feed your fish the faster they will grow to their maximum sizes.

Aquarium Set-up Basics

1. Obtain as large an aquarium as possible.

2. Purchase the following aquarium set-up components.

• For filtration we recommend an undergravel filter for both stability and ease of maintenance. Provide a minimum of 2 inches of some kind of non-calcerous gravel on top of the undergravel filter.
• Buy a thermostatic heater, thermometer, and either a good air pump with airline tubing, or a powerhead that pumps at least 3 times as much water per hour as the size of the aquarium.
• Make sure you purchase some kind of a water conditioner that removes chlorine unless you know there can be no chlorine added to the water. It is better to be safe than sorry in this situation.
• Purchase test kits for ammonia and nitrite (minimum).
• Now is also a good time to buy any ornaments that meet your fancy.

3. Set up the aquarium on a sturdy floor in a draft free area

• Put the undergravel filter in place with either the air stones or the powerheads in the uplift tubes.
• Rinse the substrate material thoroughly before placing it on top of the undergravel filter.
• Fill the aquarium with water, be sure you treat it with a chlorine remover.
• Place the heater, ornaments, thermometer, and any lights in or on the aquarium.

4. Run the aquarium for several hours.

• Let the aquarium 'run' for at least a few hours, preferably 12-24 hours, so the water is oxygenated and the temperature is stabilized.

5. Cycle the Aquarium and then add fish

• Three methods of cycling the aquarium are described here, see Cycling the Aquarium.
• You must monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels, using test kits, until they are both zero (or very close to zero). During this period (called the nitrification cycle) the ammonia will peak first then drop off as the nitrite peaks, then the nitrite will drop off to complete the cycle. The aquarium is cycled when they are at zero and that will indicate when it is safe to add fish.
• Don't add fish in the middle of this process. The initial fish will have a good chance of surviving because the levels go up gradually instead of all at once, so they are able to adapt to these changes.
• After about six weeks, when the aquarium has "cycled", it will be safe to add additional fish. This is indicated by the levels of ammonia and nitrite having drop to zero.
• Add new fish slowly and keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels to make sure the aquarium is stable.

courtesy: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/information/freshwater.htm

Straight Talk Express