Small Tanks & Bowls

Congratulations on the purchase of your aquarium from Reef and River Aquatics. By following the instructions below it will provide you with hours of enjoyment as well as being an educational experience.

Small Unfiltered Bowls and Tanks

Carefully selected bowls and small tanks can be kept without filtration. It is important that the number of fish is kept low and feeding is carried out very carefully. Usually one or at the most two small goldfish or optionally three or four danios can be kept in this style of aquarium. Feed sparingly once a day. As the goldfish grow you will need to increase feeding. It is incredibly important that if the fish have not eaten ALL of the food given after one minute, reduce the amount of food next time.

It is essential that you use water conditioner and de-chlorinator to render the tapwater suitable for the fish.

Once a week. Remove the fish from the bowl, and place it in around 50% of it’s original water in an ice-cream container or similar. While the water level is low, stir the gravel slightly so that when you remove the rest of the water, most of the dirt in the gravel is removed. It is extremely important NOT to wash the gravel in tapwater as this destroys important good bacterial populations that grow in your aquarium. Return the fish and it’s original water to the bowl and then top up with treated water.

Remember to add the correct amount of water conditioner and de-chlorinator to the water before putting it into the tank.

Small to Medium Tanks - Filtered

The addition of a simple filter improves the water quality and by assisting the conversion of waste products to non toxic compounds, it enables the tank to hold a greater number of fish.

1. Situate the tank on a flat, stable surface. Tanks over 30cm long should have a thin sheet of polystyrene beneath them to distribute the weight evenly.

2. If using an under gravel filter place the plates supplied on the tank base. Attach the riser stems to the rear corner/s. Carefully cover this plate with around 4cm of washed gravel ensuring it does not get beneath the plate. Connect the rising stem/s to the airpump with air hose.

3. If using a box filter or similar add the gravel to the tank first. Place a small amount of gravel in the bottom of the box filter to weigh it down. Then fill the box filter with filter wool and carbon - place the "lid" on the filter. Situate the filter in one of the rear corners and attach it to the airpump with air hose.

If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

We’re here to help.