Download beginners guide to aquariums

Pet City Mt Gravatt
guarantees all freshwater fish
for a period of 24 hours.
New Aquarium
Checklist
tropical.indd 1
Should the sample test within
parameters acceptable to the fish in
question we are more than happy to
issue a replacement or a refund.
Aquarium – the larger the better
t FRESHW
Stand matching aquarium dimensions
Cover to prevent evaporation
ER FISH GUA
AT
TEE t
RAN
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If anything happens within that time frame,
please bring back a receipt, the fish and
a separate sample of water from your
aquarium.
BEGINNERS
GUIDE TO
AQUARIUMS
Coolite Foam under the Aquarium
Filter
Heater if necessary
Water conditioners
Thermometer
Served by:
Gravel
Plants (Real or Fake)
Decorations
Test Kit
Aquarium Lighting
Join the Pet City Club
and save $$$
every time you shop!
Gravel vacuum
Scrubbing pad
Fish and Fish Food
www.petcity.com.au
Ph: 07 3349 2086
14/05/2012 5:11:14 PM
Aquariums are a beautiful addition to every home.
Aquariums do require care and regular maintenance but
contrary to popular belief, aquariums are not difficult to
maintain, nor are they difficult to set up. Pet City Mt Gravatt
recommends having a “wish list” of what you would like
in your aquarium so we are best able to advise you of
compatibility between the fish and the best parameters
for the water.
Aquariums have the profound ability
to decrease stress levels, lower blood
pressure, increase the attention span in
children and provide a beautiful aesthetic
to the home. The following guide will help
in setting up the aquarium of your dreams
easily!
Setting up an Aquarium
Choose the largest aquarium that you can afford and that
fits in the space available. This allows the fish the most
growing space and actually helps limit the amount of
stress in the aquarium environment. Make sure you have
a glass cover to prevent fish from jumping out and limit
evaporation.
Place a piece of coolite foam between the glass and stand.
Make sure the stand has been placed on a flat surface
to ensure the entire tank is level. Position the aquarium
to avoid direct sunlight and drafty areas. To measure the
volume of your aquarium multiply the length x width x
height in centimeters and divide by 1000 to get a result
in liters.
Match your filter to the size of the aquarium. When
choosing a filter its desirable to have good water
movement and lots of media. Pet City Mt Gravatt suggests
filtering the water 5 to 10 times an hour. This means if
you have a 100 litre aquarium, the filter is rated for 500
to 1000 litres flowing through it every hour. Filters should
also include sponges and ideally biological filter media
(such as ceramic noodles) to increase healthy bacterial
growth. Sponges help collect larger particles of waste
material. Some filters also include carbon or resins that
polish the water by removing smells and stains. Pet City
Mt Gravatt recommends canister filters that have high
flow rates and lots of media – there are sizes to match
every budget and aquarium size. Aquariums that house
tropical freshwater fish will need a heater - look for those
that are efficient. Pet City Mt Gravatt recommends EheimJager heaters which use fewer watts per litre and have
very accurate thermostats. Use a thermometer to double
check the temperature.
Filling your aquarium is easy. As all fish are sensitive
to chemical pollutants, tap water must be treated prior
to it being added to the tank. We do not recommend
rainwater (unless filtered) as most aquarium products
are formulated to remove contaminants in tap water.
Rainwater may have extra pollutants not accounted for
from the roof of your home, or even in the tank itself. Pet
City Mt Gravatt suggests using Seachem’s HeadStart Pack.
This pack includes Prime which neutralises chlorine and
heavy metals; Stability which adds beneficial bacteria to
balance the aquarium water and Clarity which causes
tropical.indd 2
n
If you require any further information on
any aspect of fish keeping please do not
rium
hesitate to contact one of our trained aquarium
specialists. Just call 07 3349 2086 and ask
sk for
ome in
the Aquarium Department. Better yet, come
and have a look!
detritus in the water to clump together and get caught
ght in
the filter sponge which leaves water sparkling. Fill slowly
essen
and use an ice cream container on the bottom to lessen
disturbance of the gravel. Choose a gravel that isn’t
too large as its easier to clean. Rinse thoroughly before
adding to the tank. Position your decorations while
allowing fish plenty of room to swim and hide. Pet City Mt
Gravatt recommends an aquarium light as this allows real
plants to grow and shows off the colour of the fish. 8-10
hours of light is sufficient for planted tanks. Make sure
you turn off the lights at night as fish appreciate a night
cycle. (Talk to a Pet City Mt Gravatt – Mt.Gravatt Aquarium
Specialist if using the tank as a children’s nightlight.)
Adding Fish
Let the aquarium sit for a week before adding any fish.
This allows for the multiplication of bacteria and the
water to balance chemicals. Choose fish that are similar
in sizes and temperaments. Pet City Mt Gravatt recommends
choosing fish to live in all levels of your tank - top, middle
and bottom. Remember not to overcrowd your fish and
Pet City Mt Gravatt can advise you on the maximum amount
your aquarium should hold. Add only a few fish at a time,
this allows time for bacteria to build up and control the
fish waste and nitrogen.
Feeding
Feed your new fish a few times a day, only what they
can eat in a few minutes. Make sure to feed all levels
of your aquarium: sinking wafers for bottom feeders and
pellets for middle and top swimmers. Pet City Mt Gravatt
recommends Spectrum Fish Formulas supplemented with
frozen foods for variety.
Cleaning
Cleaning the tank is simple. Aquariums
should have a water change of 10-20% on
a weekly basis. Using a gravel vacuum is
an easy and inexpensive way to siphon
out dirty water and wastes. Smaller, more
frequent changes are much better for the
health of your fish as the chemical changes
to their environment are subtler. Do not
rinse your filters out under tap water as this
can destroy beneficial bacteria. Instead
rinse the sponges out in the dirty water
that you have siphoned out from the tank.
Biological filter media does not need to be
cleaned, only replaced over time. Carbons
and resins should be replaced or recharged
on a monthly basis. Don’t forget to service
the filter and clean all the moving parts. A
Pet City Mt Gravatt Aquarium Specialist can
show you how to do this. Wipe the algae
clean with an aquarium safe scrubbing pad.
There are lots of ways of achieving a great looking
aquarium but the principles are all the same. Good
clean water, efficient filtration and recreating the natural
environment of the fish are the key to a successful
aquarium. Pet City Mt Gravatt is happy to give you the right
advice and great service so you can have a beautiful
and problem free aquarium – easily.
For any further information please don’t hesitate to
contact us at 07 3349 2086.
14/05/2012 5:11:17 PM