Setting up a Aquarium
Step 1 Place Aquarium on a level surface (stand)
Step 2 Rinse gravel slightly and place in tank. Approx. 1lb per gallon
Step 3 Draw tap water at 76-80 degrees by using a thermometer under the faucet and add to the tank until full. (Cold water for goldfish)
Step 4 Add a good water conditioner. This will remove chlorine and toxic metal and add slime coat to your fish.
Step 5 Place Heater in tank. Plug in and adjust to desired temperature. Let the heater sit in water for 20 min before plugging it in.
Step 6 Install and turn filter on.
Step 7 Place hood on Aquarium
Step 8 Before adding fish be sure to visit our store with a water sample for us to test. It's free!
THE NITROGEN CYCLE
In beginning your new aquarium must go threw what is known as the Nitrogen Cycle. In order for the Cycle to occur you must add life to your tank (fish).
Be sure to alert the employee waiting on you in the fish room that your aquarium is newly set up he/she may advise putting in the fish that tolerate the "CYCLE" best of all. The Nitrogen Cycle is the building up of beneficial bacteria that colonize and eat ammonia that is generated by the organic matter such as food fed to the fish and excretion from the fish. The Nitrogen Cycle generally begins and completes somewhere after the 10-day mark and the 6 week period. During this time your tank may obtain a cloudiness that will disappear without doing anything to help it. If this cloudiness occurs DO NOT change the water or clean the filter unless advised by our staff. Also DO NOT add more fish until the cycle has been completed. Feel free to bring us a water sample any time after the 10 day mark and we will test it at no charge.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
What to or not to do after the Nitrogen Cycle. Change 1/3 of the water once a month.
Step 1 Unplug heater
Step 2 Unplug filter. (do not clean when changing water)
Step 3 The best method of removing the water is to use a gravel vac.
Step 4 Put new water in a bucket (76-80). (Cold water for goldfish)
Step 5 Add new water conditioner to water in the bucket. Then add bucket to aquarium.
Step 6 Plug heater and filter back in.
Step 7 Clean the filter 2 weeks after the water change. A good maintenance is to clean the filter and change the water ever 2 weeks alternating.
The Fish Bowl Aquarium and Pet Mart
