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Your new tank must be fully
supported at all four corners by a fish tank stand or
cabinet, or another strong base and must be placed on
a sheet of foam to stop stress on tanks and eventual
cracking.
Gravel must be washed thoroughly in
fresh water only - no detergents. Water ager (chlorine
neutraliser) and blue conditioning salts (water
hardener) must be added whenever fresh water is added
into the tank as tap water is poisonous to fish.
Daily Maintenance for your Tank
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If you keep tropicals, check
temperature. 24ºC - 27°C is a safe temperature
range.
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Check fish for signs of
ill-health e.g. erratic swimming, discolouration,
damage to fins and scales.
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Have lighting on for 10 to 12
hours only: any more will encourage algae growth.
Make sure to replace globe after 12 months.
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Feed fish once a day, alternating
with dry and frozen food e.g. "Community Dinner" for
tropicals, "Goldfish Dinner" for goldfish. Give as
much as they can eat in two minutes and do not
overfeed, as this will lead to problems with water
quality such as ammonia.
Weekly Maintenance
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Test water for pH, the measure of
acidity and alkalinity, and adjust with pH Up or
Down if required. pH must be 7 (neutral).
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Test for ammonia. Op.p.m
required.
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Test for nitrite. Op.p.m.
required.
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Add 'Cycle', 1 capful for every
40 litres, double dose if new tank.
Fortnightly Maintenance
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1/3 water change with a gravel
cleaner.
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Add water ager.
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Test hardness - must be 150-180
p.p.m.- add conditioning salts if too soft, or fresh
water if too hard.
Monthly Maintenance
Replace any carbon used in
filtration e.g. carbon/foam filter caps for
underground filters, carbon bags in canister or power
filters. This will ensure your water is crystal clear.
Fertilise plants with 'Plant Food'.
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