sera guide - Healthy aquarium fish

8 Preventing and remedying maintenance mistakes and intoxications elements (such as some kinds of coated grav- el). Lead and mercury are particularly toxic. In particular, invertebrates react extremely sensi- tive to copper – please always consider this when using copper containing treatments such as sera mycopur. Zinc and even iron (in con- centrations above 0.5 mg/l) are also harmful. If in doubt, check the water values, e.g. by means of the sera Cu-Test. sera aquatan and sera toxivec bind and neutralize heavy metals. Furthermore, they remove corrosive chlorine. In case of acute intoxications – also with toxic substances not mentioned here – it is always advisable to carry out a large water change and to remove the remaining toxic substances with sera super carbon. fectively (bioactive filter system: sera siporax and sera filter biostart). Plants enrich the wa- ter with oxygen during daytime. Rot processes occur if anaerobic zones form, i.e. regions that are not supplied with oxygen. This may, for instance, happen in the filter if the pump fails, or in case of firm, non-aerated bottom ground. Organic material is broken down anaerobically (without oxygen con- sumption) there. This leads to the formation of hydrogen sulfide which stinks like rotten eggs, and nitrite – both of them are highly ichthyotoxic substances. Therefore, be sure to check the function of your filter regularly and loosen the bottom ground while siphoning off the sludge. Heavy metals may also lead to severe chronic or acute intoxications. They are introduced by, for example, old copper pipes, lead containing wire on aquatic plants or unsuitable decoration 45