Handy Hints By Hans DeVries
Wood for Catfish: For the wellbeing of your Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus temmincki) and all other species of armoured suckermouth catfish (family Loricariidae), put a piece of driftwood in your aquarium as these catfish require some wood in their diet.
Unwanted Guests: It is a good practice, before adding aquatic plants in your tank, to put the plants in a container of water to which is added one teaspoon of Alum per litre. This ensures that most if not all aquatic life on or between the plants is killed. Simply leave the plants in this solution for about ten minutes and then rinse before putting them in your aquarium.