Aquarium Maintenance Care Guide

This Aquarium Maintenance Care Guide has been written to help all aquarists to understand that it is vital for the success of any aquarium system to be properly and regularly maintained.

NEVER NEVER NEVER FORGET THE FOLLOWING

• Soap and detergents must never come into contact with anything that enters your aquarium! Always use "Aqua-Plus" to dechlorinate and condition any new water entering your aquarium.
• Allowing water to sit for a few days is not a recommended method of dechlorination

PARTIAL WATER CHANGE

• The frequency and consistency of a partial water change will determine whether your aquarium will be a success. A partial water change consists of removing 20 - 30% of your aquarium water using a gravel cleaner. Clean only two thirds of your gravel at any one time. Use only a newly purchased bucket that will remain the sole property of your aquarium. Once you've removed some of your aquarium water don't throw it into the toilet. Save it for cleaning your filter.
• Partial water changes should be done every one or two weeks for 5 1/2 to 10 gallons, two or three weeks for 15 to 25 gallons, three or four weeks for 33 to 54 gallons and monthly for 66 gallons plus.

FILTER CLEANING

• Never rinse your sponge filter block under tap water. Rinse it in the bucket of dirty aquarium water you've just removed. The chlorine and chemicals in your tap water can kill all the good bacteria you've grown in your healthy pink sponge. Change your sponge every two months. Always cut away a third of your old sponge and place it under or behind your new sponge in the filter. In filters with a single cartridge system, cut a third of the old sleeve and place it behind the new one. You can discard the third in a week. Most carbons and ammonia removers must be replaced monthly. Do not leave expired carbons in your filter as toxicity problems may arise. There are very good carbons that last up to six months. Every three months you should clean out your filter's impeller well. That's the hole where the round cylinder with the white fins sits in. Follow your filter's manual on how to remove your motor. For a single cartridge system, we recommend converting to an "Aqua-Clear" Filter cartridges.

LIGHTING

• Keep fluorescent lights on 10 - 12 hours in the winter and 12 to 14 hours in the summer. Best for live plants and fish colours.
• Incandescent screw in light bulbs can easily overheat a small aquarium and cause severe temperature fluctuations. Aquarium lights should never be used as heaters. Temperature fluctuations will be extreme.
• Aquarium lights should never be used as night lights. Fish need sleep or they will die.

Should you have any questions regarding your new fish, or the information offered by this Aquarium Maintenance Care Guide, come to Centre D'Animaux NATURE Pet Center and consult with your NATURE Sales person. We are here to take care of you and your new pet.