Aquarium problem solver - Tetra

16 Pages·2008·1.39 MB·English

Aquarium
problem
solver
Approved by
For more information: www.tetra.net
2 3
Contents
If you follow the advice Water clarity 4-7
given by your aquatics Algae 8-9
outlet, and in our information
Sick fish 10-13
brochures, it is unlikely that you will
Sick plants 14-15
have any difficulty with your aquarium.
However, in case you need additional
help, this brochure tells you how to solve
some common problems.
2 3
Water clarity
Problems with water clarity are usually simple to resolve, and
normally fall under one of the following:
Cloudy / milky water 2 Bacterial bloom
This has two possible
In new aquariums, it is not
causes:
uncommon to experience a
1 Failure to clean new temporary cloudiness of the
substrate water caused by bacteria.
Because new aquariums
Gravel, sand, and other do not have an established
aquarium substrates contain population of micro-
a lot of dust, which should organisms in the gravel
be cleaned off before use. and filter, dissolved organic
If the water goes cloudy as material accumulates in
soon as it’s filled, this is the the water and promotes the
most likely cause. The colour rapid growth of bacteria.
of the water can be anything
from a slight cloudiness to As the aquarium matures,
a dirty brown, depending on this should settle down
the type of substrate used. and clear. It is not directly
harmful to fish, however
Although your filter should it could indicate that too
clear the water over time, many fish have been added
it is preferable to remove at once. It is therefore
the substrate and clean important to test the water
it properly, to avoid re- for ammonia and nitrite, to
occurrence of the problem. make sure it is healthy.
The only types of substrates
that do not need cleaning
are specialist planting
ones, such as TetraPlant
CompleteSubstrate.
4 5
If the cloudiness is very the substrate. An excessive
bad, the bacteria can be amount in the substrate
thinned out by performing a can be re-suspended by
partial water change, using the activity of the fish, and
tap water conditioned with blocked filters will not trap
Tetra AquaSafe. Adding Tetra particles as effectively.
SafeStart to new aquariums Therefore, to resolve brown
will help establish the filter water, you need to clean the
more rapidly. substrate with a TetraTec GC
gravel cleaner, and ensure
Dirty / brown water the filter is free from debris
Unless this is caused by (by washing it according to
unwashed substrate (see the instructions).
above), brown water is
If you find that the gravel or
normally caused by solid
filter is becoming clogged
waste becoming suspended
rapidly, leading to problems
in the water.
with dirty water, you should
Solid waste is normally check the following:
trapped in the filter or in
4 5
1 Are you using a good Yellow water
quality food, according Over time, organic waste
to the instructions? breaks down releasing
Over-feeding, especially substances into the water
with a poor quality food, that can cause it to go
will put excessive solid yellow. Such water is still
waste into the aquarium. transparent, but has a
Offer a good quality food, definite yellow / brown taint
such as TetraMin or to it. Aquariums containing
TetraFin, 2-3 times a day, bogwood can be particularly
only as much as the fish prone to this.If this happens
can consume within a often, make sure there is not
couple of minutes. an excess of debris in the
2 Is your aquarium over- substrate. Good aquarium
stocked? Recommended husbandry, including keeping
stocking levels are
1cm of fish per litre for
tropical fish, and 0.5 –
1cm per litre for goldfish.
If your aquarium does
have too many fish, you
may need to upgrade to
a larger one.
3 Is your filter big enough
for the aquarium? Check
the instructions to
ensure it is large enough
to cope with the volume
of water. If not, consider
upgrading it.
6 7
the substrate clean with
a TetraTec GC gravel
cleaner, can reduce
the rate at which
these substances
accumulate.
For complete
prevention of yellow
water, use activated
carbon in the filter.
This removes the
substances that
cause the colouration,
helping to keep water
crystal clear. All
Tetra filters contain
activated carbon,
or have the option
of including it.
Alternatively, you can
add TetraTec Carbon
media to an existing
external filter.
Green Water
Green water is caused by
suspended algae, and should
be dealt with accordingly.
See the section on Algae in
this brochure.
6 7
Algae
Algae are simple plants that occur naturally in aquariums.
If they grow to excess, they can spoil its appearance by
covering the glass, plants, and ornaments, and in some cases
causing the water to turn green.
Algae come in various • Remove organic matter
shapes and colours, the type from the substrate.
depending on the chemical Allowing the substrate
and physical properties of to get very dirty will
the aquarium. Generally they cause nutrient levels
are green or brown, and may to rise, fuelling algae
form smooth sheets or stringy growth. You should keep
growths. You cannot prevent the substrate reasonably
algae entering the aquarium, clean by using a
but you can manage its TetraTec GC gravel
growth and prevent it cleaner, and clean the
becoming a problem. filter as necessary.
Tips for controlling algae • Use a good quality
food. Foods that are
• Control the amount
efficiently utilised, such
of light within the
as TetraMin and TetraFin,
aquarium. This means
result in less nutrient
keeping it out of natural
build-up. This helps to
sunlight, and leaving
control algae growth.
the light on for no more
than 10-12 hours a day. • Add live plants to the
You should also replace aquarium as a natural
light bulbs according to algae control. Fast-growing
the instructions, as old species are best, and their
tubes emit the wrong growth can be encouraged
quality of light and can with TetraPlant PlantaMin.
encourage brown algae
to grow.
8 9
You can get an indication
of nutrient levels by
testing the water for
nitrate with a TetraTest
Nitrate kit, or TetraTest 5
in 1 test strips.
• Use Tetra EasyBalance. suitable.
This actively reduces Bristlenose
two important algae catfish may eat the
nutrients – phosphate plants as well, so seek
and nitrate, thereby advice before deciding
helping to control on which fish to use.
its growth. Tetra A mixture is often best,
NitrateMinus can also as some fish only eat
be used specifically for certain types of algae.
nitrate control.
• Keep a selection of
algae-eating fish. In
tropical aquariums it
is possible to control
algae using certain
fish. Bristlenose
catfish (Ancistrus),
Otocinclus catfish,
and Siamese algae
eaters (Crossocheilus
siamensis) are all
8 9
Sick fish
Fish kept in a healthy environment rarely get ill, and if they
do it’s important to identify any underlying causes. If the
environment is not right they will be stressed, causing their
immune system to weaken, leaving them open to infection.
Signs of illness The following table offers
A change in the behaviour a guide to some typical
of the fish, such as loss of symptoms and diseases they
appetite or sluggishness, are likely to be associated
is often the first sign that with. Use this to try to
something is wrong. In some identify the problem and the
cases, specific symptoms correct treatment. Where a
may develop that can help specific disease cannot be
identify the disease, but identified, use of a general
this is not always the case. remedy such as TetraMedica
Just like humans and other General Tonic (tropical fish)
animals, infections may be or TetraMedica GoldMed
caused by a range of fungi, (goldfish) is recommended.
parasites, bacteria, and For more detailed advice,
viruses. The more common consult your aquatics outlet.
ones can usually be treated
Curing sick fish
with off-the-shelf remedies,
To begin with, try to identify
provided any problems
any underlying environmental
with the environment are
problems:
corrected.
• Test the water to ensure
it is healthy. You can
do this with TetraTest
kits, and your aquatics
outlet may be able to
test a water sample
for you. At a minimum,
you should check for
10 11