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Freshwater Aquarium
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Pond Fish
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FRESHWATER AQUARIUM
AQUARIUM SET-UP
- Clean the aquarium with warm water and salt. DO NOT USE SOAP!
- Wash gravel thoroughly.
- Place the gravel in the aquarium.
- Add water at 50-72 degrees. The recommended amount is 1 gallon for every 1 inch of fish (i.e. 25" of fish use 25 gallon aquariums).
- Use Liquid Chlor-Out or other good brand of chlorine remover. If you do not have access to chlorine remover, let the water set in the sun in a container at least 24 hours - best if 48 hours.
- Add 1 tablespoon non-iodized salt per 10 gallons of water.
- Adjust pH to 7.0 with Sodium Biphosphate.
- Start filters.
- Set up aquarium at least 1 day before purchasing fish.
- Cloudy water may occur within the first week until a normal bacteria environment is established.
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ACCLIMATING NEW FISH
- Float bag with fish for 30 minutes in your aquarium. If temperature differential is greater than 10 degrees, allow longer floating time.
- Add an equal amount of water from the aquarium to plastic bag (about 2 gallons) and re-close the bag. Float for an additional 10 minutes.
- Turn the fish loose in the aquarium
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FEEDING FISH
- Feed the fish once or twice daily only what they will consume in 3 to 5 minutes.
- Feed as large a variety of fish foods as possible.
- Over feeding will cloud the water, add to the upkeep of the aquarium, and may harm the fish.
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MAINTENANCE
- Clean filters generally once per month.
- Clean all glass in the aquarium. DO NOT use Windex, Glass Plus, or any soap, etc.
- Siphon off 1/4 to 1/3 of the water from the tank every two weeks. Use a gravel washer siphon to pick up dirt, decayed plants and uneaten food.
- Replace siphoned water with new de-chlorinated water including 1 tablespoon non-iodized salt for each 10 gallons of water replaced.
- Check pH and adjust if necessary, but do it slowly.
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MEDICATING Sick FISH
- Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully before mixing two or more chemicals in the same water. A chemical reaction may occur and kill all of your fish and plants.
- Call a local pet store that handles fish for information, please observe the fish carefully before calling so you can accurately describe the ailment. Before calling, check the tank conditions: temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrites. Almost every time the problem is only the water condition and medications are not necessary.
- Remove carbon from filter when medicating fish.
- If it is necessary to use antibiotics on your fish, it is better to do so in a quarantine tank. The antibiotics may affect the bacteria base in the tank filter system.
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POND FISH
ACCLIMATING NEW FISH
- Let bag float with fish for 10-15 minutes in your pond. Do not set in direct sun.
- Add one cup of pond water every 10-15 minutes. Repeat at least 3 times.
- When the water in the bag feels close to the pond water, open the bag and let the fish swim free. Throw away bag water.
- If fish arrive gasping for air at the surface of the bag, it is more important to get them oxygen than to acclimate water temperature. So speed up the above process and get the fish in the pond.
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FEEDING FISH
- Feed the fish sparingly, but often. Fish do not digest large amounts of food well, therefore feed only what can be consumed in about three to five minutes or less. Ideally if you have a medium to large size pond lightly stocked, you may not have to feed at all.
- Feed a good staple food labeled for Koi.
- Over feeding will cloud the water and may harm the fish. NEVER feed your fish if the water temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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QUARANTINE NEW FISH
- We recommend quarantining new fish before adding them to a pond with existing fish.
- All fish come from ponds that have exposure to bacteria and parasites. These parasites or bacteria become more prevalent when the fish is weakened during shipping.
- Salt bath of new fish can help tremendously in the killing of parasites and bacteria. Use non-iodized salt for this process. Watch fish at all times when treating.
- Check pH and adjust if necessary, but do it slowly.
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MEDICATING Sick FISH
- SALT, SALT, SALT - Salt relieves stress and kills most parasites on fish. Remove fish from pond before treating. Use non-iodized salt. DO NOT add salt to your pond as it kills plants and other livestock (i.e.: snails)
- Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully before mixing two or more chemicals in the same water. A chemical reaction may occur and kill all your fish and plants.
- Call a local pet store that handles fish for information, please observe the fish carefully before calling so you can accurately describe the ailment. Before calling, check the water conditions: temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrites. Almost every time the problem is only the water condition and medications are not necessary.
- Remove carbon from filter when medicating fish.
- If it is necessary to use antibiotics on your fish, it is better to do so in a quarantine tank. The antibiotics may affect the bacteria base in the filter system.
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GENERAL TIPS
- Remember, not every pond is large enough to support Koi. Ponds less than 1,000 gallons should consider using smaller species such as shubunkins, sarassa or common goldfish.
- If it is a new pond or water has been recently changed, be sure the chlorine has been removed by using a pond dechlorinator.
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