5
Maintenance
DAILY:
Feed your fish as per instructions on your fish
food container.
Check temperature
Ensure all equipment is running correctly.
WEEKLY:
Test the pH of the water. Ideally, also
test for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
FORTNIGHTLY:
25% water change
What you will need: A bucket, gravel cleaner,
towel, algae scraper and water conditioner.
The fish does not need to be removed while
performing a water change.
1. Wash your hands but do not use
soap or any other chemicals as
they may contaminate the water.
.
2. Fill a bucket with enough replacement water
and treat with water conditioner.
3. Check the pH and temperature of
both the aquarium water and the new
water. Make any adjustments that
need to be made to the new water.
A temperature difference of less than 5ºC
between the new and old water is within safe
limits. You may need to purchase an extra
heater to warm the new water if the difference
is greater than this..
4. Once the water is ready to use, remove the
light unit and lid and place them somewhere
safe away from the water where they will not
be broken or damaged.
5. Unplug the heater and pump.
6. You may wish to place a towel in front of the
aquarium to guard against water spillage.
7. Use an algae scraper made for acrylic
aquariums and gently remove any algae that
is growing on the glass. Some algae may be
wiped off with your hand.
8. Using a gravel cleaner, remove 25% of
the aquarium water. Take note of how much
water is removed and be sure to have enough
prepared water to replace all that is removed.
9. Remove the filter from the aquarium and rinse
all parts with the water you have just removed.
Every 6 weeks, replace the carbon cartridge
with a new one.
10. Remove the intake strainer from
the filter. (fig 5) Remove the powerhead
from the main body of the filter.
Remove the impeller cover and carefully
remove the impeller. Rinse all parts of
the powerhead with clean water. Ensure
that the impeller well is rinsed well.
11. Reassemble and replace the filter.
12. Refill the aquarium using the prepared
water.
13. Replace the lid and plug all equipment
back in.
14. Allow the aquarium to run for 30 minutes
then check that everything is running correctly.
Impeller
cover
Impeller
Impeller Well
Fig 5
