Aquatic Care Guide
Everything you need to know to build a thriving underwater ecosystem, from tank cycling to daily feeding.
1. New Tank Setup & Cycling
Never add fish to a brand new aquarium. Your tank must go through the Nitrogen Cycle first to build up beneficial bacteria.
- ✓ Set up your substrate, hardscape, and filter.
- ✓ Treat tap water with a dechlorinator before adding it to the tank.
- ✓ Run the filter continuously for 2-4 weeks. Use a water testing kit to ensure Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0ppm before adding livestock.
2. Acclimating Live Fish
Fish are highly sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and water chemistry. Proper acclimation prevents shock.
- ✓ Float the Bag: Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 15-20 minutes to equalize the temperature.
- ✓ Drip Acclimation: Open the bag and slowly add a small cup of aquarium water every 5 minutes for about 30 minutes.
- ✓ Net the Fish: Never pour the store water into your tank. Use a net to transfer the fish.
3. Routine Maintenance
Consistency is the key to a clear tank and healthy fish. Set a weekly schedule and stick to it.
- ✓ Weekly: Perform a 20-30% water change using a gravel vacuum to remove waste from the substrate.
- ✓ Monthly: Rinse your filter media (sponges and ceramics). Crucial: Only rinse them in old aquarium water, never untreated tap water!
- ✓ Daily: Check equipment function, temperature, and observe fish behavior.
4. Proper Feeding
Overfeeding is the #1 cause of cloudy water, algae blooms, and fish illness. Less is almost always more.
- ✓ Feed only what your fish can completely consume in 2-3 minutes.
- ✓ Feed 1-2 times a day maximum. Skip one day a week to clear their digestive tracts.
- ✓ Immediately remove any uneaten food with a net to prevent ammonia spikes.