The aquarium with a high threshold can be easily used with rice fish.
Aquariums are popular in the world, but many have the impression that the threshold is quite high for the purpose of appreciating tropical fish. But even with medaka aquarium, even beginners can easily enjoy the aquarium!
In the case of tropical fish, you must be careful about the water temperature. In addition, aeration is necessary in consideration of oxygen shortage. It can be said that aeration is essential for maintaining the physical condition of tropical fish. However, medaka live in Japan, you don't need to adjust the water temperature, and because the medaka is strong, you don't need aeration.
Filtration is important when keeping fish, but in the case of medaka aquarium, the excrement of medaka is decomposed by bacteria, and the remaining nutrients are absorbed by aquatic plants. There is no need for filtration and the frequency of changing water is low.
In addition, the fact that heaters, aeration, and filtration equipment are not required does not require any artifacts in the aquarium, making it visually attractive. If you want to enjoy the aquarium at home, why not start with medaka?
Movie
Before introducing how to make an aquarium, first watch the video of the medaka aquarium. Medaka can make such beautiful aquariums relatively easy.
What to introduce here
At the Medaka's House aquarium corner, we will introduce how to actually launch an aquarium at the Medaka's House.
At Medaka's House, we have launched several Medaka Aquariums. This time, based on that experience, We will introduce the work of starting an aquarium from scratch.
Things necessary
We have listed what you need for a medaka aquarium. If you arrange it on the net, it usually costs around $100 to $150. It will cost more if you arrange it at a pet shop.
- Aquarium
Of course, a water tank is essential. This time we will use GEX's 60cm slim aquarium.
- Illumination
Necessary for growing aquatic plants. In the past, it was a fluorescent lamp, but now LEDs are the mainstream. LEDs have a slightly higher initial cost but are very cheap to maintain. This time, we will use a 60cm wide bar type (Nisso PG Super Clear LED) to match the aquarium.
- Soil
This is also essential for growing aquatic plants. There are various types of general soil, but the use of soil is certain to succeed in aquatic plants. If it is a 60cm slim aquarium, 6L-8L is required.
- Stones
Although it is not essential, it is good to add sharpness to the aquarium. It is recommended to buy Fuzan stones rather than stones that fall there (focus on appearance).
- Aquatic plants
Required for aquariums. For the foreground, use grass that grows in a row, for the middle, use grass that extends a little, and for the back, use grass that grows well and has volume.
This time we use Glossostigma for the foreground, Hydrocotyle Tripatita for the middleground, and pearl glass, brixedine, and Ludwigia Super Red for the background.
When you put shrimp in the aquarium, be sure to purchase pesticide-free aquatic plants. - Tweezers
Necessary when planting or replanting aquatic plants.
There is a long one for the aquarium, but the price is quite high, so I use a short one about 10cm. If you have enough budget, we recommend purchasing an aquarium. - Scissors
Used to cut back aquatic plants.
Scissors are available for aquariums as well as tweezers, but the price is quite high. Anything that doesn't rust is fine, but choose a small one that is easy to use in the aquarium. - Living body
Of course Medaka. Other shrimp (cherry shrimp recommended) and Ishimaki shellfish. Ishinomaki shells are added to eat moss on the glass surface, but are no longer needed once the water is ready. You do not have to enter from the beginning.
This time, we plan to use a Dharmamedaka fish tank. Make a tank and add 1 or 2 pilot fish from the third day.
Column ~ What is up water leaf?
When purchasing aquatic plants, many of the widespread types of aquatic plants, especially the foreground grass, are listed as “up water leaves”.
As the name suggests, up water leaves are leaves grown on the water (that is, on land). In areas with dry and rainy seasons, immovable plants have a longer period on land and a longer period in water. When it is on land, the up water leaves grow, and when it is underwater, the underwater leaves grow.
These plants grow in the sun while they are on the water, and store nutrients that allow them to grow underwater leaves when they get underwater. Plants grown on the water can grow faster in the water.
By the way, the up water leaves melt gradually in the water. At the same time, the underwater leaves grow, so don't worry.
Startup work
Introduces in order of work.
- Layout creation. Lay the soil in the tank and make a stone frame.
The soil is laid out with a thickness of about 5cm, and then stonework is done. There is no need to wash the soil. It would be nice to give the stone direction. This time, I tried to build up from left to right.
Also, rather than laying the soil flat, laying it in a hill toward the back will make the finish beautiful.
- Add water to a depth of 3cm to 5cm.
When pouring water, lay a small plate at the bottom and pour water into it to prevent the soil from digging.
- Add water to this level.
- Next, we will plant foreground aquatic plants.
When planting aquatic plants, hold the roots of the aquatic plants with tweezers and insert them into the soil. If you do not insert it firmly, it will come off and float immediately.
- Next, plant the mid-ground grass and back-ground grass.
Before planting, add water so that the raised back part sinks into the water. In this case as well, be sure to put water on the plate so that the planted foreground grass does not fall out. After planting, add more water to the tank.
It looks like this from the front.
- Remove the dish and scoop up the dead leaves.
Dried leaves or cut roots are attached to the aquatic plants, so they will float when you add water, so scoop them well. It is easy to take using a fish net.
- Install lighting.
Let's install a light and turn on the light. It is better to wear it when the water tank comes with a glass lid. It also prevents the light from falling.
- Supporting the growth of aquatic plants
The growth of aquatic plants requires light and carbon dioxide. Light is okay because it has light, but carbon dioxide is a problem. If a living body such as medaka enters, aquatic plants can grow well with only the discharged carbon dioxide.
However, since there is a shortage of carbon dioxide until the living body is put in, there is a hand that uses “stones that emit carbon dioxide” in a rush. The photo below shows two stones that emit carbon dioxide.
The photo below is a stone package that emits carbon dioxide. It's not easy to sell. I think it's quick to buy online.
Important point
- Please do not put all fish suddenly. About 3 days after the tank is set up, there will be no living organisms, and then one or two pilot fish will be added.
- Watch the pilot fish for about a week, and if there is no problem, put the main fish.
- When you add shrimps, use pesticide-free aquatic plants.
- Commercially available soil is not washed.
- When putting stones, you can use commercially available stones as they are, but if you use the stones you pick up, wash them.
- Brown moss is almost certainly generated in about a month, but it is in the process of starting up the aquarium.