This article is the first in a series of articles that GregRobert Pet Supplies is offering that have been dubbed “In a Nutshell Series”.  These articles are concise, quick reads about the reasons behind what we do for our pets and how we care for our pets.

Plants need carbon to create their food (photosynthesize). We all learned about this in our freshman year biology classes – but relating this to our planted aquariums requires a few jumps of faith.

The plants in our aquariums obtain carbon from either carbon dioxide (CO2) or from carbonate hardness (KH).  It is easier for plants to get the carbon from CO2, which is naturally present in your aquarium, but not usually at the levels needed to stimulate quick growth of your plants.

As CO2 levels are lowered, plants slow their growth.  This naturally forces them to use the carbon from KH, which is the ingredient that holds pH level stable in the aquarium. (think about all those PH tests that you use for your aquarium)

When this buffers content is lowered, pH levels can change dramatically, which may severely stressor even kill fish.

This is why adding carbon to your aquarium that have plants is highly recommended and if you don’t add the carbon molecules – you put your fish at risk.

That’s it in a nutshell – try Seachem’s Matrix Carbon to keep your planted aquarium in balance.

New from Tetra are Tetraveggie Cichlid Pellets that offer your Cichlids the best of both worlds.

TetraVeggie pellets for Cichlids offer a nutritious diet that is algae enhanced.

Tetra uses a proprietary extrusion technology that allows the combination of concentrated algae along with staple nutrients into a single pellet that does not cloud your aquarium water.

Cichlids, particularily top and mid-water feeding cichlids will thrive with this new blend from Tetra.

Tetra has long been a leader in the nutrition vertical for Cichlids and other aquarium fish – it is no surprise that this economical and innovative cichlid food with algae was designed by Tetra.

We expect it to grow into a top selling fish food product at GregRobert Pet Supplies.

nexx is an Evolution in Filtration and designed with you in mind.  A modular filter that grows with your needs; you have the ability to add EXTENSIONS to the FILTER in order to increase filtration capabilities.

The nexx FILTER delievers crystal clear water quality for your aquarium by using the Size 4 Bio-Chem Zorb® cartridge.  Superior filtration with no bypass.

Ultimate convenience with 4 minute or less media changes, no mess and filtration options give you the filtration and flexibility you want.

Accessories

• API NEXX Circular Foam 30 – 2 pack
• NEXX Extension Filter

Testing water quality should be a priority for your aquarium. 

The important levels that need to be tested are:
1.  pH – A pH level of  close to 6.5 is the ideal pH for MOST fish.

2. hardness -  Most fish require soft water.  Hardness test will  measure the amount of calcium and magnesium.

3. alkalinity – This measures the compounds that stabilize pH.

4. nitrite (NO2)-  This compound is highly poisonous. Nitrite is more toxic than nitrate.  High levels of nitrite require water change.  The addition of fluids with zeolite will also help.

5. nitrate (NO3)-  High levels of nitrate can be harmful over time. Again, water change will help; along with adding fluids with zeolite.

6. ammonia (NH3)- This is another highly poisonous compound. Again, water change will help; along with adding fluids with zeolite.

Individual strips can be purchased to measure each value, but it is easier and more economical to purchase a kit that measures everything at one time.  A kit, like the Mardel Master Aquarium Test Kit  (pictured above) measures all the levels.

In the breaking in phase of you aquarium, you should check the levels everyday.  Later, check levels every 1-2 weeks.  This will ensure proper water quality and healthy fish.

Although planted aquariums are often considered to be too difficult for the beginning hobbyist, we believe that planted aquaria are actually ideal for the beginner.

With the right substrate the beginner can have a successful aquarium with a minimum of maintenance. As the beginner become more comfortable in the hobby they will feel inclined to experiment a bit and thus build on the solid foundation they have already established.

From our (Seachem) product line we normally recommend one start with Flourish™ and/or Flourish Tabs™. These provide a broad range of micro-nutrients (vitamins, amino acids) and micro and trace elements (iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, etc) that will enhance plant health and growth.

If the growth rate is substantial the trace elements are often utilized more rapidly than the other components in Flourish™, thus in this case it would be beneficial to also employ Flourish Trace™ along with Flourish™ and/or Flourish Tabs™.

Once that foundation is set one can then explore the use of parameter specific supplementation.

Because plant nutrient requirements, usage rates and source water can vary drastically we have determined that the ideal approach to supplementation is to separate each component so that each can be dosed individually as needed. Sometimes these requirements can be determined by testing.

Contains no phosphate or nitrate.

Plants are able to much more easily derive a benefit from Flourish Iron™ than from EDTA-iron sources because all EDTA iron is in the ferric (Fe⁺³) state. Since plants require iron in the ferrous (Fe⁺²) state, additional physiological energy must be expended in order to extract the ferric iron from EDTA-iron and then convert it to the ferrous form.

Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 200 L (50 gallons*) or as required to maintain about 0.10 mg/L iron. For smaller doses please note that each cap thread is about 1 mL. Use a test kit to monitor iron concentrations. Use as needed to combat signs of iron deficiency (usually seen in new growth) which include: chlorosis (yellowing) of tissue between veins and short and slender stems.

Every organic molecule of every living organism is predominantly carbon based. Given this simple fact, it becomes clear why carbon plays a pivotal role in the planted aquarium.

Aquatic plants extract CO2 (carbon dioxide) from their environment and employ it in a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis combines CO2, water and light energy to produce simple carbohydrates and oxygen (O2). The first and simplest carbohydrate produced from photosynthesis is 3-phosphoglycerate. It is from this simple molecule that larger and more complex carbohydrates arise (by way of a variety of enzymatic processes).

Growth rates of aquatic plants are strongly correlated with availability of carbon and the plant’s affinity for carbon uptake. Studies1 have shown that plants with the greatest carbon affinity have the greatest growth rates, whereas those with lower carbon affinity have correspondingly slower growth rates. Because carbon availability is normally the limiting factor to growth,addition of CO2 to a planted aquarium will always result in large increases in growth (assuming other critical elements are not lacking).

Flourish Excel™ provides a simple organic carbon molecule that plants can use as a building block for more complex carbohydrates. Because Seachem’s Flourish Excel ™ is an organic carbon source it does not impact pH. The chemical structure of Flourish Excel™ is quite similar to some of the products of photosynthesis such as Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate and 2’-carboxy-3-keto-Darabinitol 1,5 bisphosphate. Flourish Excel™ possesses the same basic 5-carbon chain seen in these molecules

Potassium is one of several elements that are vitally important to maintaining a vigorous level of growth in a planted aquarium. Potassium can become depleted in a rapidly growing system or when the source water has a low mineral content. In these cases potassium could become the limiting factor to growth.

Use Flourish Potassium™ to prevent potassium depletion (signs of which include yellowing in older leaves) and maintain the highest level of growth.

The most easily obtained sources of potassium are potassium nitrate and potassium phosphate. Both of these sources add to either nitrogen or phosphorus as well as potassium, making it virtually impossible to target a specific NPK ratio. Flourish Potassium™ by Seachem is derived from potassium sulfate, allowing the user to adjust potassium levels without affecting nitrogen or phosphorus.

Use 1 capful (5 mL) for every 125 L (30 gallons*). This dose raises potassium by 2 mg/L. Repeat 2–3 times per week or as needed (in response to signs of potassium deficiency in older leaves which includes: chlorosis (yellowing), necrosis (death/browning), and weak stems and roots.

Elemental potassium is present at a concentration of 50,000 ppm (e.g 5%). Archaic fertilizer laws require us to list potassium in terms of equivalence to a material that is not present (K₂O) rather than the more scientificaly sound method of simple elemental equivalence.

• Themed aquarium ornaments are lots of fun to add to your aquarium.  The Forgotten Ruins Crumbling Castle Aquarium Decoration is a great decoration for a variety of aquariums.  It is painted in soft, natural colors that blends in well with a variety of aquarium environments and adds tons of character to your aquarium.  Your fish will have fun exploring around the castle and you will enjoy looking at the decoration in your aquarium.
• To add some color to your aquarium, the Happy Fish Cave Ornament will instantly liven up your aquarium.  This colorful aquarium ornament is fun to look at and lots of fun for your fish to swim into.  It also makes a great resting place for your fish when he or she is sleepy.  The bright colors are eye catching and everyone will enjoy spending time looking at your aquarium.
• Add some extra aquatic life to your aquarium with the Turtle Twins Aquarium Ornament.  This ornament features two charming turtles holding onto a rock for safety.  Your fish will love to swim around this fun aquarium ornament, while everyone enjoys looking at the cute turtles.  Made of durable plastic and smaller in size, this aquarium ornament is perfect for a smaller aquarium or a fish bowl.