NooR Aquatics

02/06/2024

IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE FILTERATION IN AQUARIUM.
Adequate filtration is crucial in an aquarium to maintain water quality, promote fish health, and provide a stable environment. Filtration removes waste, toxins, and debris, ensuring a clean and healthy habitat for aquatic life.

Importance of Adequate Filtration:

1. Waste Removal:
- Fish produce waste, uneaten food, and plant debris accumulate, leading to harmful ammonia and nitrite levels. Filtration helps remove these substances.

2. Biological Filtration:
- Beneficial bacteria colonize the filter media, converting toxic ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate through the nitrogen cycle.

3. Chemical Filtration:
- Removes dissolved impurities, toxins, and odors using activated carbon or other chemical media.

4. Mechanical Filtration:
- Physically removes particles and debris from the water, keeping it clear and free from suspended solids.

5. Oxygenation:
- Enhances water circulation and surface agitation, promoting oxygen exchange, which is vital for fish and beneficial bacteria.

Types of Filtration:

1. Mechanical Filtration:
- Purpose: Removes solid particles from the water.
- Example: Sponge filters, filter pads, and floss.
- Use Case: Suitable for all aquariums to keep water clear of visible debris. Essential in high-waste-producing tanks like goldfish or cichlid tanks.

2. Biological Filtration:
- Purpose: Converts toxic ammonia and nitrite into nitrate through beneficial bacteria.
- Example: Bio-wheels, ceramic rings, bio-balls.
- Use Case: Crucial for all aquariums, particularly in tanks with high bioloads like community tanks or heavily stocked aquariums.

3. Chemical Filtration:
- Purpose: Removes dissolved impurities and chemicals.
- Example: Activated carbon, zeolite, phosphate removers.
- Use Case: Useful in tanks with specific water quality issues like odor, discoloration, or chemical contaminants. Ideal for reef tanks or aquariums with sensitive species.

Types of Filters:

1. Hang-on-Back (HOB) Filters:
- Description: Hang on the back of the aquarium, providing mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.
- Example: AquaClear, Marineland Bio-Wheel.
- Use Case: Suitable for small to medium-sized tanks, easy to maintain and ideal for beginners.

2. Canister Filters:
- Description: External filters providing high capacity for mechanical, biological, and chemical media.
- Example: Fluval, Eheim.
- Use Case: Best for medium to large tanks, planted tanks, and aquariums with large or messy fish.

3. Sponge Filters:
- Description: Air-driven filters providing mechanical and biological filtration.
- Example: Hydro Sponge Filter.
- Use Case: Ideal for breeding tanks, fry tanks, and shrimp tanks due to gentle filtration and oxygenation.

4. Internal Filters:
- Description: Submersible filters providing mechanical, biological, and sometimes chemical filtration.
- Example: Fluval U Series, Aqueon QuietFlow.
- Use Case: Suitable for small tanks, hospital tanks, and nano aquariums.

5. Undergravel Filters:
- Description: Use a plate under the substrate to pull water through gravel, providing biological and mechanical filtration.
- Example: Penn Plax Undergravel Filter.
- Use Case: Effective for small to medium-sized tanks, often used in low-tech setups. Less common in modern aquariums.

Choosing the Right Filter:

- Tank Size: Match the filter’s capacity to the aquarium size and bioload.
- Bioload: Consider the number and type of fish. High bioload tanks need more robust filtration.
- Ease of Maintenance: Choose a filter that is easy to clean and maintain regularly.
- Aquarium Type: Specific setups like planted tanks or reef tanks may require specialized filters or additional filtration methods.

Adequate filtration is essential for a healthy and thriving aquarium. By choosing the right type and capacity of the filter, you can maintain optimal water quality and ensure the well-being of your aquatic inhabitants.

02/06/2024

HOW TO KEEP A GOLDFISH AQUARIUM THRIVING.
Managing a goldfish aquarium with artificial plants and decor requires focusing on maintaining good water quality and providing a suitable environment for the goldfish. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Tank Setup:
- Size: Goldfish require spacious tanks. For one goldfish, a minimum of 20 gallons is recommended, with an additional 10 gallons for each additional goldfish.
- Substrate: Use a smooth substrate like gravel or sand to avoid injury to the goldfish.
- Decor: Choose artificial plants and decorations that are smooth and free of sharp edges to prevent injuries.

2. Water Quality:
- Filtration: Use a high-quality filter that provides mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so efficient filtration is crucial.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
- pH: Maintain a pH of 7.0-8.0.
- Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrite, and keep nitrate levels below 20 ppm.

3. Regular Maintenance:
- Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20-30% to remove waste and maintain water quality.
- Gravel Vacuuming: Vacuum the substrate regularly to remove uneaten food and waste.
- Filter Maintenance: Clean the filter media as recommended by the manufacturer, typically every 2-4 weeks, without using tap water (to preserve beneficial bacteria).

4. Feeding:
- Diet: Feed goldfish a varied diet of high-quality goldfish pellets or flakes, supplemented with fresh or blanched vegetables (like peas, lettuce, and spinach) and occasional treats like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 1-2 times a day, ensuring all food is consumed within a few minutes to prevent water contamination.

5. Monitoring:
- Regularly test water parameters using a reliable test kit to ensure they remain within safe ranges.
- Observe goldfish for signs of stress, disease, or injury, such as changes in behavior, appetite, or appearance.

6. Lighting:
- Provide a regular light cycle of about 8-12 hours per day using an aquarium light. This helps maintain a natural day-night rhythm for the fish.

7. Oxygenation:
- Ensure adequate oxygenation by using an air pump and air stones or ensuring good water surface agitation through the filter output.

8. Quarantine New Fish:
- Before introducing new goldfish to the tank, quarantine them in a separate tank for 2-4 weeks to monitor for diseases and prevent introducing pathogens to the main tank.

Tips for Success:
- Avoid overstocking the tank, as goldfish grow large and need ample swimming space.
- Handle goldfish gently and avoid sudden changes in water parameters.
- Use dechlorinated water for water changes to remove harmful chlorine and chloramines.

By focusing on maintaining clean water, providing a nutritious diet, and ensuring a safe environment with smooth artificial plants and decorations, you can keep your goldfish aquarium thriving.

02/06/2024

HOW TO KEEP A FULLY PLANTED LOW-TECH DISCUS AQUARIUM.
Creating a fully planted Discus aquarium without external CO2 injection and fertilizers is challenging, but possible with careful planning and selection of appropriate plants. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Tank Setup:
- Size: Discus fish require large tanks, ideally 55 gallons or more.
- Substrate: Use a nutrient-rich substrate designed for planted tanks, such as ADA Aqua Soil or similar, which will provide nutrients to plants over time.
- Lighting: Choose moderate lighting, around 1-2 watts per gallon, as high light levels will demand CO2 and more nutrients.

2. Water Parameters:
- Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 82-86°F (28-30°C), suitable for Discus.
- pH: Maintain a pH around 6.0-7.0.
- Water Hardness: Soft water is preferable, with a GH (General Hardness) of 3-8 dGH and a KH (Carbonate Hardness) of 1-3 dKH.

3. Plant Selection:
Choose low-tech, hardy plants that thrive in low to moderate light and do not require CO2 injection:
- Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus): Can be attached to driftwood or rocks.
- Anubias: Slow-growing, can be attached to hardscape.
- Cryptocoryne: Root-feeding plants that grow well in nutrient-rich substrates.
- Amazon Sword (Echinodorus spp.): Larger plant, good for background planting.
- Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri): Can be attached to hardscape.
- Vallisneria: Hardy and can thrive in a range of conditions.

4. Filtration and Aeration:
- Use a high-quality, gentle filter suitable for the tank size to ensure proper water movement and filtration without creating strong currents that stress Discus fish.
- Ensure adequate surface agitation to promote gas exchange.

5. Maintenance Routine:
- Water Changes: Perform regular water changes (20-30% weekly) to remove waste and replenish trace elements.
- Gravel Vacuuming: Vacuum the substrate lightly to prevent waste buildup while preserving nutrients.

6. Feeding:
- Feed Discus a varied diet of high-quality pellets, frozen or live foods.
- Uneaten food should be removed to prevent fouling the water.

7. Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor water parameters (pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels) to ensure a stable environment.

Tips for Success:
- Introduce plants before adding Discus to allow plants to establish.
- Avoid overstocking the tank to maintain water quality.
- Be patient, as low-tech setups may grow more slowly than high-tech, CO2-injected tanks.

By carefully selecting plants and maintaining a stable environment, you can create a beautiful, fully planted Discus aquarium without the need for external CO2 injection or added fertilizers.

02/06/2024

Minor Maintenance:
1. Scrapped off Algea
2. Vaccumed dead plant matter off Substrate.
3. Clipped plants and replanted cuttings to propagate.
4. Added 5 cuttings of Pothos immersed in water for root system development.
5. Topped up water.

10/02/2024

Matured Planted Discus Aquarium.

10/02/2024