In Nature Aquarium, the gravel on the bottom where aquatic plants are planted is called the substrate. The substrate has three major purposes. One is to support aquatic plants and provide nutrients. Another is to enable microorganisms to multiply and stabilize the environment of an aquarium. The third is to render a natural feel to a layout. The activity of microorganisms is especially important since organic matter, such as fish waste and uneaten food that falls into the substrate, is decomposed by the microorganisms that are fully established in the substrate. In addition, the roots of aquatic plants and the microorganisms in the substrate have a type of symbiotic relationship. Aquatic plants can grow healthfully only when microorganisms help them absorb nutrients through roots. When aquatic plants grow densely by absorbing nutrients that are broken down from organic matter, the uptake of nutrients from the leaf surfaces and the release of oxygen through photosynthesis become vigorous as well, and the environment in the aquarium stabilizes. Therefore, the present substrate system was developed for Nature Aquarium for the purpose of growing beneficial microorganisms in the substrate to encourage the healthy growth of the roots of aquatic plants. The concept of natural ecosystem is utilized in the Nature Aquarium substrate, which is based on the mutual relationship of soil environment, microorganisms, aquatic plants and fish.
Nature Aquarium Substrate
It is important to grow microorganisms in Nature Aquarium substrate. The beneficial microorganisms in the substrate include bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The supply of organic matter, which is their food, and oxygen are essential for encouraging their growth and activities. Power Sand was developed to provide the organic matter and to improve water permeability in the substrate. Power Sand, which is natural pumice with porous surfaces and treated with aged plant-based organic matter, is suitable for growing and establishing microorganisms. When Power Sand is laid at the very bottom of the substrate, the organic matter is broken down by multiplying microorganisms and supplied as nutrients to the roots of aquatic plants. The basic substrate setting is to place Aqua Soil on top of Power Sand. Among Aqua Soils, Amazonia is rich in organic acids and trace elements, and aquatic plants grow their roots in it rapidly. Spreading roots turn over the substrate and bring oxygen rich water into the substrate. This encourages the activities of aerobic microorganisms and establishes the environment in the substrate rapidly.
Explanation of figure 01
To build the substrate with cosmetic sand, first draw a boundary line on the bottom of the aquarium with a permanent marker and secure a cardboard divider with packing tape along the boundary line. Place cosmetic sand such as Forest Sand in the front of the divider, and place various additives, Power Sand, and Aqua Sand, respectively, behind the divider. After matching the heights of the cosmetic sand and Aqua Soil across the divider and smoothing the substrate surfaces, pull out the cardboard divider. Lastly, place the small rocks (such as Fuji-Ishi wrapped with Willow Moss) along the boundary line to prevent Aqua Soil from toppling over the cosmetic sand. This completes the substrate laying work.
Further Improvement of the Substrate Environment
Although the combination of Power Sand and Aqua Soil constitutes the basic substrate system, various substrate additives are used to further improve the environment in the substrate. The most basic additives are Bacter 100 and Clear Super. While microorganisms emerge naturally with Power Sand alone, it takes time. The use of Bacter 100 that contains dormant soil microbes allows beneficial microorganisms to develop faster in the substrate. Since powdered charcoal-based Clear Super that contains organic acids becomes food for the microorganisms during their initial development period, it is sprinkled at the bottom of the substrate along with Bacter 100. A Growth Plate is a device that maintains the environment of the substrate in a good condition. When the temperature decreases in winter, there will be a difference in temperature between the water column with a heater and the substrate, and the water flow within the substrate becomes stagnant. If the temperature of the substrate is significantly low, the root growth of aquatic plants slows down as well. A Growth Plate, which is equipped with a heater and a thermostat inside, warms the entire substrate gradually and promotes the water circulation and the root growth of the aquatic plants.
How to Build the Substrate
There are many ways to build the substrate. The simplest one is to build the substrate by laying Aqua Soil on top of Power Sand. The majority of aquatic plants grow well with this combination. A more meticulous way to build the substrate is to first scatter substrate additives (Bacter 100, Clear Super, Penac W, Penac P, and Tourmaline BC) on the bottom of an empty aquarium, and then place Power Sand, Aqua Soil, and Aqua Soil Powder Type, respectively, on top. In either case, Power Sand should be placed 1 to 2 cm away from the front glass so that it is not visible from the front of the aquarium. Placing Aqua Soil low toward the front and sloping it higher toward the rear with a Sand Flattener adds depth to a layout. Powder type Aqua Soil looks good when placed in a thin layer over the substrate starting from the front of the aquarium, and aquatic plants grow well in it as well. The amount of the substrate material for a 60 cm aquarium is roughly 2 liters of Power Sand and 9 liters of Aqua Soil. In the case of an Iwagumi layout, the substrate should be laid somewhat lightly initially considering the mounding of soil to be done later.
Laying a Split Substrate
A number of recent Nature Aquarium layouts have a Power Sand and Aqua Soil combination in the area where aquatic plants are planted and cosmetic sand such as Forest Sand in the foreground section. Although the growth of aquatic plants in Forest Sand or other sand is not very good, the sand is used for a cosmetic purpose since the sand gives off a natural feel and looks beautiful. However, if the sand is not separated well from Aqua Soil, they tend to mix and look unsightly. The area for cosmetic sand depends on the composition of a layout. The boundary for the area should be marked on the bottom of an aquarium with a permanent marker according to the composition that you wish to create. Then a cardboard divider should be placed along the boundary with packing tape. Some substrate materials should be placed on both sides of the divider to secure it in place, taking care not to let the divider fall over. Then the rest of the substrate materials should be placed. When the height of the cosmetic sand is matched with the height of Aqua Soil at the boundary, gently pull out the divider leaning it somewhat toward the rear of the aquarium. This will produce a cleanly separated substrate. Placing small rocks at the boundary can prevent the Aqua Soil from toppling toward the front.
Maintaining the Substrate
Nature Aquarium is supposed to be maintained over a long time. While it is maintained, its substrate cannot be replaced. Therefore the substrate needs to stay in good condition as long as possible. The nutrients contained in Power Sand are absorbed by aquatic plants and run out in half a year to a year. Using this as a guideline, nutrients should be replenished with Multi Bottom or Iron Bottom. Although fish and shrimp excrements fall into the substrate, microorganisms in the substrate decompose them in Nature Aquarium. However, if cosmetic sand is used in the foreground, excrements and sludge collect on the sand surface and look unsightly. These should be suctioned out with a small diameter hose along with some water. In time the substrate tends to become anaerobic and blue-green algae may develop in the substrate. If this happens, blue-green algae can be controlled by injecting some Phyton-Git or Bacter 100 that is diluted in water into the substrate with a syringe. An anaerobic environment can also be improved by injecting some Penac W that is diluted in water.
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