sera guide - Shrimps and crayfish

14 Bottom material and decoration First distribute a sera floredepot long-time bottom gravel blend layer of approx. 2 cm (0.8 in.) where you want to add plants. During the initial phase, plants will be pro- vided nutrients needed for strong roots and green leaves. Cover it with a 5 cm (2 in.) layer of freshly washed, undyed, finely grained aquarium gravel or river sand plus a few larger pebbles. If you do not want to use sand in the aquar- ium, it is important for keeping crustaceans that you always blend some sand in with the gravel. The animals require single sand grains or very small gravel bits for deposit- ing them in their sense of balance, the so- called statocyst. Bottom material Decoration Just like plants, bog wood are suitable as “pasture” and as structural elements. They provide the shelter required by the animals, especially during the important period after exuviation. Additional hideaways are very important especially if you keep aggressive crayfish or longarm prawns. In such cases, rocks with holes or tubes are suitable. They provide easily defendable shelters for the animals until their exoskeleton has hardened. 2cm/ 0.8in. 5cm/ 2in. 14