Aquarium and Pond Care with EcoBio-Block

Nothing is quite so devastating to an aquarium hobbyist than to spend hours arranging and cultivating a tank full of live plants just to have them eaten by the tank inhabitants. While many species of fish tend to nibble on aquarium plants, most do not actually eat them. There are some species, however, that are notorious plant-eaters and are capable of decimating an entire planted tank in a matter of days. To avoid having all your hard work be for nothing, be careful about which fish you select to stock your planted tank.

Fish to Avoid in Planted Tanks

Silver dollar fish are one of the species most well-known for eating aquarium plants. Though many fish are likely to pick at algae growths or bits of sunken fish food on the leaves of aquarium plants, silver dollar fish will actually consume the plants themselves. These fish are voracious eaters when it comes to vegetable matter and they can work their way through an entire planted tank in just a few days. Some species of cichlid have also been known to eat aquarium plants, but these fish are more likely to dig in the substrate thus uprooting aquarium plants. While being temporarily uprooted may not kill the plants in your tank, it can inhibit their growth. Gouramis have also been known to engage in digging behavior which can affect the health and growth of live plants in an aquarium.

Recommended Species of Fish

Planted tank

When it comes to selecting the fish for your planted tank you cannot go wrong with most species of community fish. Community species of fish are peaceful not only toward other fish, but they do not tend to disturb aquarium plants or other tank decorations either. Some of the best small species of fish for planted tanks include livebearers, tetras, barbs and corydoras catfish. If you prefer slightly larger fish, dwarf gouramis and discus fish are recommended for planted tanks. To be sure that your plants are safe, it is wise to do some basic research on the species of fish you intend to purchase before you bring them home – check to be sure the conditions in your tank are right for that particular species and determine whether they are likely to eat your aquarium plants.

Tips for Maintaining Planted Tanks

To prevent your fish from turning to your aquarium plants for food, provide them with plenty of fresh vegetables. Fish enjoy blanched vegetables like peas, broccoli, spinach and zucchini and all of these foods are very high in nutrient content. Another way to keep your aquarium plants healthy and thriving is to introduce an EcoBio-Planter into your tank. EcoBio-Planters are made from natural zeolite and infused with beneficial bacteria. Once these bacteria form a colony in your tank they will begin breaking down built-up wastes and will help to maintain the nitrogen cycle, thus keeping the water in your tank clean and clear. EcoBio-Planters are conveniently shaped to accommodate small rooted plants and they are a great way to decorate your tank while still keeping up a natural appearance.

After you have put in all the time and effort to set up your aquarium, the last thing you want to do is stock it with sick fish that could cause a tank-wide epidemic. While you cannot completely prevent your fish from ever becoming exposed to disease, there are a few simple precautions you can take to ensure that the fish you are introducing into your tank are healthy. You can start taking these precautions before you even purchase your fish and, in doing so, you can lessen the likelihood that your aquarium will be exposed to pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other diseases.

How to Spot Healthy Fish

Local pet store's aquarium section

When you first set foot into your local pet store, before you even look at the fish they have available, take a look at the facilities. Do the stock tanks look clean or are they overgrown with algae? Do the tanks appear to be well maintained or are the water levels low due to evaporation? If the facilities in which the fish are kept do not appear to be clean, the chances of those fish being healthy are greatly diminished. If, however, the store itself is clean and the tanks are well-maintained you can move on to observing and examining the fish themselves.

Locate the tank housing the type of fish you are interested in purchasing. Observe the fish for a few minutes, looking for healthy activity and coloration. Healthy fish will be active and will not have any difficulty swimming – fish that appear lethargic or float near the top or bottom of the tank are likely affected by disease. The fish themselves should not have any visible deformities, the fins should be whole and there should be no patches of redness or discoloration on the fins, gills or scales. The eyes of healthy aquarium fish will be clear and, if you are able to observe the fish being fed, they should display an eagerness to eat.

Before Introducing New Fish

After selecting and purchasing your fish from the pet store there is one more thing you need to do before introducing them into your tank. Many aquarium hobbyists recommend quarantining all new fish for a minimum of two weeks before adding them to the main tank. Even if you have taken the time to observe and examine the fish before buying them, they could still be carriers of disease. Quarantining new fish is a simple and effective way to lessen the chances of your tank becoming exposed to disease. Keep your new fish in a quarantine tank for at least two weeks and, during that time, observe them for signs of illness. If, after the two weeks are up, the fish still appear to be healthy you can safely add them to your main tank.

Tips for Keeping Fish Healthy

Keeping your aquarium fish healthy does not need to be a complicated matter. If you are able to keep the water quality in your tank high and feed your fish a healthy, varied diet they are likely to thrive. To boost the health of your aquarium, and thus your fish, consider adding an EcoBio-Planter to your tank. EcoBio-Planters are made from porous volcanic cement and are conveniently shaped to accommodate a small live aquarium plant. In addition to providing a place for live plants to grow, EcoBio-Planters are also infused with beneficial bacteria that will multiply to establish a colony once added to your tank. These bacteria will help to maintain the nitrogen cycle in your tank, breaking down wastes and removing harmful toxins to keep your tank water clean and clear. In conjunction with the aforementioned precautions, an EcoBio-Planter can help keep the fish in your tank healthy by keeping the water quality in your tank high.

Filtration is one of the most important factors in determining whether your pond will be able to provide a healthy, balanced ecosystem for your fish. Not only do pond filters facilitate water flow which helps to reduce the growth of algae, but they also remove harmful toxins from the water and filter out waste to keep the pond water clear. Adequate filtration is particularly important in ponds where goldfish or koi are present because these fish produce a large amount of waste and require highly-oxygenated water. In order to ensure that your pond fish remain healthy, do some research before selecting a pond filter so you can be sure to purchase the type that is best for your particular pond.

Types of Pond Filter

Before you can begin to peruse your options in pond filters you need to decide between the two major types: external and submersed filters. External pond filters can be very large and are not installed directly in the pond. Because this type of filter is not housed within the pond itself it is much easier to clean and to change or add filter media when needed. Though external pond filters have the capacity to support larger biological loads than submersed filters, they can be unsightly and difficult to disguise.

Submersed pond filters are those which can be installed inside the pond itself. This feature allows you to easily conceal the filter from view using an arrangement of aquatic plants or decorative stones. A submersed pond filter can be filled with different types of filter media, as can an external filter, but this type is more difficult to clean because it must be removed from the pond first. Although submersed pond filters are limited in their ability to support large biological loads, they are extremely versatile and can be used for water features as well as basic pond filtration.

Tips for Selecting a Filter

After you have made your choice between an external and a submersed pond filter you need to select the right model for your particular pond. One of the most important factors in determining which filter is right for you is the size of your pond. Different filters are designed to support different biological loads. The model you choose should be able to filter one half of the total pond volume in an hour. If your pond is located in an area that receives a great deal of sunlight you may need a larger filter to counteract an increased rate of algae growth.

In addition to the size of your pond, the type of filtration you desire should also be a factor when making your decision. Mechanical filtration is the most basic function of a filter which involves removing solid waste from the water as it is drawn up through the filter media. Chemical filtration serves to remove toxins from the water and biological filtration involves maintaining a colony of beneficial bacteria which help to break down wastes and clarify the water.

Regardless of what type of filter you choose there are a few simple things you can do to keep your pond water clean and clear. Avoid overfeeding your fish and take steps to prevent your pond from becoming too crowded. You may also consider adding an EcoBio-Block Wave or EcoBio-Block nsM to your pond in order to facilitate the growth of a colony of nitrifying bacteria. EcoBio-Blocks are made from natural zeolite and infused with beneficial bacteria which will quickly multiply after being introduced into your pond. The presence of these bacteria will speed up the nitrogen cycle in your pond which will result in cleaner, clearer water and a healthier environment in which your fish can thrive.

Your pond filter is perhaps the most essential piece of equipment when it comes to keeping your pond clean and healthy. Pond filtration systems circulate the water to prevent algae formation, to remove waste build-up and they may also facilitate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Because filtration is key to the success of your outdoor pond, you should not buy a cheap one or purchase one too small for your pond. If saving money is a necessity, however, you can build your own pond filter from scratch.

Materials Needed:
Large plastic planter or stock tank
3-inch plastic shower drain
Jig saw
Joint compound
1 ½ inch PVC pipe
1 ½ to 1-1/4 inch threaded nipple reducer

DIY Pond Filter

The first thing you need in order to build your own pond filter is a large plastic planter or stock tank. Visit your local home improvement store to peruse your options. Next, trace around the plastic shower drain on the outside of the tank just below the rim. Cut out the hole with a jig saw, apply a bead of joint compound around the outside of the hole then insert the shower drain and press it firmly against the side of the tank to create a seal.

Measure across the bottom of the tank and divide the measurement by two. Cut two pieces of 1 ½-inch PVC pipe to 2 inches shorter than the measurement you just took and attach a PVC elbow to one end of each pipe. Connect the two pipes in the middle with a tee connector and insert a piece of PVC equal to the height of the tank vertically into the remaining connection on the tee. Top the vertical pipe with a 1-1/2 to 1-1/4-inch threaded nipple reducer then place the assemblage of pipes in the center of the planter or stock tank so the horizontal pipes rest on the bottom.

Position the elbows on the horizontal pipes so they point in opposite directions – this will create a swirling effect at the bottom of the tank which will increase the efficiency of the filtration. Cut a piece of rigid plastic mesh to the size of the stock tank or, if you are using a plastic planter, purchase a plastic sieve large enough to fit inside. Cut a hole in the middle large enough to pass the vertical PVC pipe through. The mesh should sit several inches above the bottom of the tank – elevate it with wooden blocks if necessary.

Fill the tank with your preferred filter media. You can purchase filter sponges from your local pet supply store, but regular dishwashing sponges and scrubber pads cost less and work just as well. These materials are ideal for use in pond filters because the pores catch unwanted waste and debris while also providing a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Finish up your homemade pond filter by positioning it on the opposite end of the pond as your sump pump. Insert the hose from your sump pump into the 1-1/4-inch threaded nipple in the vertical piece of PVC and turn on the pump. The water will pass through the PVC pipes, swirl around the bottom of the tank up through the filter media and exit via the shower drain in the side of the tank back into the pond.

To turn your homemade filter into a more efficient biological filter, consider adding an EcoBio-Block Wave in addition to the sponges. EcoBio-Block products are infused with beneficial bacteria which naturally clear cloudy pond water, keeping it safe and healthy for fish. The EcoBio-Block Wave lasts for three years and can accommodate between 300 and 1000 gallons of water which means that it will keep working long after it becomes necessary to replace your other filter media. You can also install EcoBio-Block Waves along the bottom of your pond, instead of inside the filter, to clarify water and remove odors.