During the initial setup of an aquarium, the microorganisms within the filter will not grow even if the filter is run in the tank just filled with water only. This is because plain water does not contain organic matter and nitrogen which serve as a food for the microorganisms. Even if only fishes are added to this aquarium, the amount of organic matter and nitrogen supplied by the fishes is too scarce to establish the microorganisms suitable for the Nature Aquarium’s water quality level.

For Nature Aquarium, a significant amount of microorganisms is required to break down the plentiful organic matter and nitrogen within the substrate. Then, what about if the substrate is built up using Power Sand and Aqua Soil-Amazonia and then the filer is used? Unfortunately, this is also not a very good way for establishment of the filtration system. If the filter runs without planting aquatic plants on the substrate, the water easily becomes cloudy and it affects the smooth establishment of the filter.

The possible cause of cloudy water in case of bare substrate is the fine particles of Aqua Soil released into water and the increase of waterborne germs and algae which feed on organic matters and nitrogen dissolved in the water. On the other hand, if aquatic plants are planted from the very beginning, the release of fine particle of the soil caused by water flow and leaching of organic matter and nitrogen out of the substrate are reduced thanks to the aquatic plants. These plants also absorb nutrients present in the water.

For these reasons, the water does not become cloudy easily with aquatic plants. In the event the cloudy water occurs by the use of Aqua Soil-Amazonia, there is a high chance that the cloudy water problem due to increased germs and algae can occur successively. If cloudy water is observed while filling up the tank with water, it is advised to remove the tank water to get rid of the fine particles of the soil before commencing the operation of the filter. If a large amount of organic matter and nitrogen contained in the soil particle goes inside the filter, the growth of germs and algae in the water will quite possibly take place.