• There are many ways of setting up a new fish tank.
• Animal Attraction feels that the following represents a reliable proven method.
• If you have any questions please contact Animal Attraction @ 970-353-3400 or MONSTERREEF.com

SETTING UP THE AQUARIUM

• Place the aquarium on a very sturdy and level surface.
• Locate the aquarium where no direct or indirect sunlight hits the tank. This will reduce algae growth.
• In a bucket or strainer, rinse the gravel in cold water only.(No soaps, cleansers, or hot water)
• Once filters, heaters, etc. are in place, fill the tank with room temperature water.
• Make sure the heater is submersed correctly in the water before plugging in the heater.
• Always carefully follow the instructions offered with individual heaters, power filters, power heads, canister filters, air pumps, etc. .
• Take enough time (24 hours usually) to properly set the water temperature in the tank.
• 77-82 degrees Fahrenheit is appropriate for most tropicals. We suggest 80 degrees in most cases.
• Many tropical fish require different temperatures, some above or below the temperatures mentioned above.
• Once the temperature has stabilized and the filters are working properly, then water conditioners and filter media can be added. Media like carbon, zeolite, polyfilters, foam filters, etc..
• Once the desired temperature is set, filters are working, and the water is conditioned, THEN YOU ARE READY TO ADD SOME FISH.
• To play it safe we usually recommended waiting 24 hours before adding a light stock of fish.
• Set your lights on a timer so that the lights are on for only about 10 – 12 hours a day.
• Plants, rocks, castles, decorations, etc. are going to help your fish to feel more comfortable than they would in a bare aquarium.

ADDING FISH TO THE TANK (ACCLIMATIZING)

• To add fish to the aquarium, leave the plastic bag sealed (closed), float the closed bag in the tank for about 10-15 minutes to slowly adjust the temperature of water in the bag to that of the aquarium.
• Then after 10-15 minutes open the fish bag and begin adding small amounts of water to the bag.
• After adding small amounts of water to the bag for about 5 to 10 minutes then net the fish out of the bag and place the fish in the aquarium.
• Do not add fish store water to your aquarium. This will keep unwanted medications and fish diseases from entering your aquarium.

THE NEW AQUARIUM

• Stock a new tank lightly. At first you have about a 7 day window in which you can add your first group of fish to the tank. Do not add delicate fish, crabs, snails, shrimp, etc., during the first 6-8 weeks.
• Feed a new fish tank very lightly. Animal Attraction recommends a small pinch of flake food every other day for the first 6 weeks.
• Overfeeding during the first 6 week break- in- cycle can cause a sudden increase in organic gases that will dangerously stress the fish.
• Eventually, at the end of the break in cycle, the aquarium will have developed a live and healthy bacteria culture that will work as a live filtration bed or medium.
• After the 6-8 week break-in-cycle has passed, then the fish can be fed daily or even twice daily. Also, more delicate fish, crabs, snails, shrimp, etc., may slowly begin to be added to the aquarium.
• Always ask the advice of Animal Attraction on adding fish to a new aquarium.

MAINTAINING

• During the first 2 months, top off water evaporation only. Do not perform any water changes without seeking our advice.
• Some new products can help to speed up the 6 week break-in-cycle. Ask for recommendations on these products.
• Once the aquarium has cycled and aged, then the hobbyist should begin to perform regular partial water changes. Usually, these partial water changes can begin around the 3 month mark.
• Animal Attraction suggests a 1/3 to 1/2 water change every 3 to 4 weeks. (do not remove more than 1/2 the water)
• Adjust the temperature of the tap water to that of the aquarium. Always use water conditioners to dechlorinate and remove heavy metals from tap water.
• Try not to disturb the gravel for at least 3 months in a new system. After 3 months, then you may begin to spot vacuum about 50% of the gravel bed during water changes.
• Do not remove all of the debris (detritus). Some debris is important to the life – cycle of your system.
• Regular filter maintenance should be performed. Refer to the instructions of each individual brand of filter unit to determine how and how often the maintenance should be performed.
• Typically, filter cartridges, carbon, charcoal, zeolite, floss, and poly filters, should be changed every 3 to 4 weeks.