An aquarium is like a slice of a natural water body, with a bottom covered in sand and smooth stones. In the clear water, delicate, vibrant green plants rise toward the surface, and colorful fish swim gracefully.
An aquarium is not just a decorative piece in a room; it’s also a fascinating way to observe the lives of fish and aquatic plants. You can create an aquarium using cut plastic bottles, glass jars of different sizes, or even cups. However, it’s usually best to buy a ready-made aquarium from a store.
Purchase a grotto with the aquarium — a tuff or pumice arch where fish can swim through and hide from the light. Position the grotto so small flower pots can sit on top of it. If you just painted the aquarium, fill it with water and leave it for a few days until the paint smell dissipates; during this time, check for leaks.
Include plants in the aquarium. Thoroughly wash and heat coarse river sand (gravel), then lay it in a thick layer on the bottom of the aquarium and moisten it with water. Plant aquatic species in small clay pots using the soil they originally grew in, then cover the pots with sand. Submerge the pots in clean water several times before pressing them deeper into the aquarium sand.
Plants can also be planted directly into the aquarium substrate. Start by placing a mixture of turf soil and high-temperature-dried peat mixed with washed sand at the bottom, then add a layer of washed river sand on top. Fill and drain the aquarium with water until the water runs completely clear. Once that’s done, fill the aquarium with clean water.
Introduce fish after 2-3 days to allow the plants to take root. Make sure the aquarium water isn’t colder than the water the fish were in previously.
For external decoration, use plants that trail or climb along the walls. Examples include Isolobium, Tradescantia, and various ivies. On grottoes or on special shelves in the corners of the aquarium, place pots with upright-growing plants such as golden fern, snapdragon, and cyperus.
Aquatic plants help purify the water and replenish it with oxygen, which is essential for the fish’s survival.
