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Your specialist aquarists' retailerwill be pleased to advise you and recommend

further reading including the other

JBL WWH BROCHURESon further topics from aquaristics

YOUR SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

1BOOK

What - Why - How?

Setting upUSEFUL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

AN AQUARIUM

Latest findings show that watching anaquarium is relaxing, reduces stress andhas a calming influence. It provides anopportunity to observe natural events clo-sely, leading to greater understanding ofsuch processes and relationships.

But an aquarium can also be quite simplybeautiful and fascinating. It can be a deco-rative feature of a room....The list ofadvantages is endless. However, it isimportant to bear in mind that the correctcare of fish and plants entails a certainamount of work, otherwise the advantagesmay quickly turn into disadvantages. If, forexample, the aquarium should becomecloudy with algae, the hobby which wasstarted with such enthusiasm may come toa disappointing end.

This small brochure describes how youcan enjoy all the advantages of an aqua-rium mentioned above and how the plea-sure given by your small underwater worldcan be prolonged by providing the rightcare for the species of fish selected. Youwill soon notice symptoms of a seriouscase of aquarium virus infection which willprobably affect you, as it has us, for therest of your life, giving hours of pleasure.

Of course, a small brochure like this can-not provide comprehensive information.Our aim is to point you in the right direc-tion.

For further more detailed information werecommend that you purchase one of thebooks listed in the bibliography.

1. INTRODUCTION

Ahead through research

Inhalt Page

1. Introduction 1

2. Guidelines: setting up an aquarium 2 - 4

3. The aquarium 4 - 7

4. Ground cover and decorations 8 - 9

5. Technical equipment 10 - 13

6. Water 14 - 18

7. Plants 19 - 23

8. The fish 24 - 27

9. Maintenance 28

10. Literature 29

1

Published byJBL GmbH & Co.KGD- 67141 Neuhofen/Pfalzwww.jbl.de

3rd revised edition 2006Texts: Dr. Rainer Keppler, Biologe im Hause JBLLayout: akzenta PR, D- 53797 Lohmar

Ahead through research

2

2. SETTING UP AN AQUARIUMBIS 2CM SCHICHTHÖHE

3Since an aquarium is a micro system ofliving creatures which react to each other,there are no simple instructions which onlyneed to be followed for everything to worksmoothly like a machine.

You will probably, sooner or later, comeacross problems which are not dealt withspecifically in the literature available.

We therefore recommend that youexchange ideas with other enthusiasts.Your specialist aquarium supplier is cer-tainly one person you can turn to foradvice. In time, you may perhaps like tojoin a local aquarists' club. In heated dis-cussions, often stretching on well into thenight, you will hear how many differentsolutions there may be for the same pro-blem and how each aquarium reacts diffe-rently. And that's what makes this hobbyso interesting and informative!

The following brief guidelines explain themain steps to be taken when setting up anaquarium. The subsequent chapters thenexplain each stage in closer detail.

The tips in this small brochure are intended to showyou how to achieve an aquarium in which healthyplants and fish can thrive

GUIDELINES:

1.

2.

2.1 Cleaning the new aquarium

After placing the aquarium in the selectedlocation, wash it using luke-warm tap water. Cleaning is easy with the JBL AquariumSponge. Do not use detergents.

2.2 Introducing substrate

We recommend the JBL ProfloraStart setfor a successful start for your new aqua-rium with healthy thriving aquatic plants.This set contains the basics needed forsuccessful aquatic plant care. It consistsof: JBL AquaBasis plus, a nutrient sub-strate specially developed for aquariums,JBL Ferropol liquid staple fertilizer to pro-vide a regular supply of the main nutrients,

and the daily fertilizer JBL Ferropol 24 toprovide essential trace elements each day.

First you need the nutrient substrate JBLAquaBasis plus. The other two compo-nents will be described in more detail later.Cover the floor of the aquarium with a 2cmdeep layer of this nutrient substrate. This is then covered with a layer of washedaquarium gravel, particle size 2 - 3 mm.

Using pre-washed gravel from a specialistaquarium supplier will save you the troubleof washing the gravel.

2.3 Installing a heater and filter

Follow the manufacturer's instructions.Install the appliance at the rear of the tank

so that it can later be hidden by decorati-ons and plants.

2.4 Decorative elementsDecorative elements such as roots andstones may now be added. Only use onesort of rock and avoid the temptation to

create a rock desert! Rocksand roots should be placedon the substrate or gentlybedded in the gravel.

2.5 Adding water

Now fill the aquarium with tepid tap water(25°C) until almost full. To avoid mixingthe gravel layer together with the lowerlayer of substrate containing additives,pour the water onto a shallow saucer orglass dish placed on the floor of the aqua-

rium. Adjust the position of anydecorative objects if necessarybefore adding JBL Biotopol orJBL Tropol to prepare the water.

2.6 Starting up the equipment

Switch on the heating and the filter andinstall the lighting according to manufac-turer's instructions. It is advisable toconnect the lighting to a time switch.

AQUARIUM GRAVEL, PARTICLE SIZE2 - 3 MM, MAX DEPTH 4 - 5 CM

JBL AQUA BASIS PLUS

3.

4.

3 useful helpers to start you off onyour new "aquatic hobby": JBLDenitrol adds beneficial cleansingbacteria to the aquarium water andshortens the waiting time beforefish can be introduced. JBL Bioto-pol and JBL Aquatrop J convert tapwater into the ideal environment foryour fish.

JBL AQUA BASIS PLUS

4 5

3.1 Location

Thanks to more sophisticatedmodern lighting equipment, thewindow sill is no longer the stan-dard location for an aquarium.Daylight, with its seasonal fluc-tuations, is difficult to regulateand inevitably leads to the pro-blem of undesirable algae gro-wth.

Select a location which is furt-hest from a window, where theaquarium will get as little directdaylight as possible, but can stillbe easily viewed from yourfavourite armchair.

Special aquarium lighting availa-ble from your specialist aqua-rium supplier provides suitablelight conditions and will keepalgae growth to a minimum.

A carefully sited aquarium will give your room a special "tropical"flair.

At the same time you can perhaps brigh-ten a previously dull corner of your room.The location selected should also have anelectrical power point or easy access topower. Depending on the equipment used,3 - 4 electrical connections will be requi-red. There should also be sufficient spaceabove the aquarium for you to comfortablycarry out maintenance jobs (e.g. regularpartial changes of aquarium water) withoutperforming contortions.A sufficiently sturdy piece of furniture willbe required to support the aquarium. Ashelf, table or something similar is ade-

quate for a small aquarium. Larger tanksof about 80 to 100l upwards should besupported on a special tank stand availa-ble in a wide selection from specialistaquarium suppliers. It goes without saying that the aquariumand its support must stand absolutely level(use a spirit level). A sheet of expanded polystyrene (Poly-soft), available from aquarium suppliers,should be placed between the support andthe tank. This will safeguard against anyunevenness and insulate the tank, preven-ting any loss of heat from the bottom of thetank.

3.2 SizeAs a general rule, the conditions in a largeaquarium remain more stable, as minor,unintentional lapses in maintenance do notresult in an immediate catastrophe. Forexample, a dead fish which has goneunnoticed in a large aquarium will be dis-posed of by bacteria without any significantill-effects on other occupants of the aqua-rium or on the quality of the water. In asmall aquarium, the conversion of wasteby bacteria may lead to a critical lack of

100 cm

50 c

m

oxygen since the bacteria require moreoxygen for this task than is available in theaquarium. A large aquarium will also more easily"absorb" an omitted partial change ofwater than a smaller aquarium. On the other hand in terms of learningeffect, starting with a small aquarium isconsidered to be best because mistakesare immediately and unmistakably ob-vious. Scrupulous maintenance is inevita-bly learnt.

2.7 Maturing

In order to help the beneficial filter bacteriabecome established JBL Denitrol contai-ning additional beneficial bacteria shouldbe added now and on the following 9 days.

2.8 Introducing aquarium plantsAquarium plants may be added when theequipment is operating correctly and thefirst dose of JBL Denitrol has been added.

2.9 Introducing fishA few days later. More on this in the chap-ter on fish.

5.

3. THE AQUARIUM

6We would like to propose a middle path,and recommend starting with an aquariumof at least 60 cm, preferably 80 cm, length.Such an aquarium, containing 50 or 80 -100 l water, is not too demanding bothfrom the financial point of view and thelevel of maintenance needed and at thesame time provides a reasonably stableenvironment for the occupants. Aquariums

of this size are often sold by aquarium sup-pliers as complete sets including all thenecessary accessories and are very rea-sonably priced.

When installing an "open aquarium" under a sloping ceiling check that there is sufficient distance between thesurface of the water and any lighting. Open aquariums are highly decorative and have a positive effect on the cli-mate of a room.

3.3 CONSTRUCTION AND SHAPE

An aquarium built into a wall as a room-divider is especially eye-catching. The world of the aquarium becomes a uniqueexperience.

Almost all tanks sold nowadays are all-glass tanks with silicone rubber adhesive.Check that the tank you select is from amanufacturer who gives a guarantee onthe adhesive bonding. Such aquariumsmeet all the necessary criteria for safetyand stability. The economical methodsnow used for bonding sheets of glass openup new opportunities for different shapes.Aquariums no longer have to be built in the

traditional rectangular shape and the newstyles can be easily integrated into moderndecorating schemes.

One point which should not be forgottenwhen planning any ambitious "wonders" ofinterior design is the needs of the living crea-tures themselves.

Do seek the advice of your specialist retai-ler.

There are a few implements which willmake the maintenance of your smallunderwater world much easier to carry out.These are: a clean bucket used solely forwork on the aquarium and never for hou-sehold cleaning. A siphoning tube about15 - 20 mm diameter and 1.5 - 2 m longcan be used to empty some of the aqua-rium water into the bucket during partialchanges of water. A silt cover on one endof the siphoning tube has proved very use-ful.

AquaEx from JBL is a complete set com-prised of silt guard and siphon tube. Thisset has a special valve mechanism whichdischarges water into the bucket withoutthe unpleasant task of sucking it up bymouth. The set also includes two practicalhose clips which can be used to attach thehose easily to the edge of the aquarium orto the bucket, preventing the hose fromaccidentally slipping off. JBL AquaEx isavailable in two sizes: AquaEx 20-45 foraquariums from 20 to 45 cm high andAquaEx 45-70 for aquariums from 45 to70 cm high.

You will need an algae cleaner to removeunsightly deposits of algae from the frontpane of the aquarium. JBL offers twotypes, the JBL Blanki or Blanki Set andJBL Algae Magnet in 3 different sizes.

For daily routine cleaning, we recommenda floating algae magnet, JBL Floaty. Thishas two advantages: it can be used fromoutside the aquarium without getting yourhands wet as the cleaning section in thewater is connected magnetically to the"handle” outside the aquarium.

In the event that the inner section losescontact with the outer part during over-energetic cleaning, the inner section willfloat to the surface and can be easily

The JBL Catch Net is auseful piece of equipmentwhen removing fish. It isavailable in a range ofsizes to suit everyneed.

removed from the aqua-rium without having to"fish around” in the water.

JBL Blanki does anexcellent job in removingstubborn algae depositswithout scratching theaquarium glass.

In addition, calcium stains and grime onthe outer panes of the aquarium can beremoved using JBL BioClean A, a bio-logical cleaner which, if it should inad-vertently come into contact with theaquarium water, is not harmful to fish.All this equipment should be stored inthe vicinity of the aquarium away fromother household cleaning equipment.

3.4 USEFUL EQUIPMENT7

84. GROUND COVER AND DECORATIONS

Attractive decorations can be created using Javanesemoss on tree roots. The Javanese moss is at first heldin position with thin thread.

Even the most attractive aquarium decorations loosetheir charm if viewed against the backdrop of theliving room wallpaper. Cover any of the sides of theaquarium which are not to be used for viewing with abackdrop. There are numerous aquarium backdropsavailable as prints on foil from aquarium suppliers. You are certain to find a motivewhich suits your aquarium. We recom-mend JBL Rear Wall Adhesive to profes-sionally glue the rear wall to your aqua-rium, so that it adheres smoothly withoutair bubbles and can be seen to best effect.A polystyrene sheet used in addition to thebackdrop will insulate against heat lossand reduce heating costs.

nutrients and is an anchoring place for theaquatic plants, whilst for the fish it providesthe necessary "ground under the feet".

We recommend the following layering ofsubstrate: First place a 2cm deep layer ofJBL AquaBasis plus on the floor of theaquarium. This nutrientsubstrate has been speci-ally developed for aquaticplants and contains all thenutrients required to starta new aquarium, whilstalso acting as a nutrientstore.

JBL AquaBasis plus is part of the JBLProFloraStart set described in Chapter 2,which we particularly recommended forsetting up a new aquarium. Next cover thislayer completely with a 3 - 4 cm layer ofwell-washed gravel. Using pre-washedgravel from a specialist aquarium supplierwill save you the trouble of washing the

gravel. We recommend using a dark colou-red, round-grained gravel, particle size 2 -3 mm. Natural decorative material, such asa few stones and one or two roots obtainedfrom aquatic stores can now be used tocreate hiding places for the fish or to dis-guise technical equipment such as theheater and filter as much as possible.

The operation of the equipment should notbe impeded in any way and the filter,where needed, should remain easilyaccessible for cleaning. Do not use materi-als which may leak any harmful sub-stances into the water. Decorative materialbought from a reputable aquarists' suppliercan be safely used. This particularlyapplies to roots. The only wood which issuitable for an aquarium is wood whichhas been impregnated with humic acid,such as resinous moor wood. Do not usewood from the forest.

Savannah wood and mangrove wood hasalso recently become available from aqua-rium suppliers. Rocks and wood should bewashed thoroughly under running water,scrubbing with a brush if necessary. Saveyourself trouble by not boiling theseobjects, as is often recommended.

JBL AQUA BASIS PLUS

That is completely unnecessary. To en-sure that any wood used does not floatwhen water is added weight it down with arock.

2 cm

3 - 4

cm

THE REAR WALL OF THEAQUARIUM

9

JBL AQUA BASIS PLUS

The ground layer should be at least 4-6 cm deep forstrong plant growth

Before we go into the individual topicsmentioned in the brief introduction to aqua-rium keeping at the beginning of this bro-chure by starting with some suggestionson ground cover and decorations, wewould like to make a few points.Your aquarium should develop into a smallwater biotope which looks and behaves asnaturally as possible. It is advisable, there-fore, to avoid artificial-looking decorationssuch as plastic divers, shipwrecks or pla-stic plants. The needs of the fish shouldhave priority over decorative or artisticflights of fancy.

However, there is still plenty of scope forbeauty and aesthetics, as you will see asyou read this brochure. If you actually triedto reproduce the natural environment ofthe fish as closely as possible, the resultwould be a more or less monotonous sight.It is more important that the habitat meetsthe fishes' needs i.e. fish which like to hidein plants should not be kept in an aquariumwithout plants, or ones which live in cavesbe kept in bare aquariums.

Now back to ground cover again. Whenyou have placed your aquarium in theposition chosen, briefly wash it with luke-warm tap water (without detergents). Youcan then start to add the substrate. Thishas to fulfil several functions: it provides

Stone is one of the most naturaldecorative elements. With a littlefantasy, attractive back walls andother constructions can be created, like the "backdrop" in the photo onthe right, a natural-looking setting.Let your imagination run free!

The Java fern attaches itsroots (rhizomes) to

the rough surfaces ofstones and the wood

roots, forming a very naturalaquarium world.

A certain amount of technical equipment isnecessary in order to create the best possi-ble conditions for the inhabitants of thesmall aquarium biotope. It is not capable ofregulating and supporting itself as in nature,although operating according to the sameprinciples. We would like to explain whatyou need to know about technical equip-ment and what equipment is needed.

5.1 FilterA filter, as the name says, should filter some-thing, namely the aquarium water. The remo-val of visible floating particles and beautifullyclear aquarium water is more a welcomeside-effect. The main function of an aquariumfilter is not just mechanical filtering, but thedisposal and conversion of invisible harmfulsubstances by bacteria. We would like tobriefly explain where these harmful sub-stances come from and how water purifica-tion is carried out by bacteria. The excretionfrom the fish, uneaten food and decayingplant material are all sources of soluble wastematerial which can be harmful to the fish to agreater or less extent over a long period oftime. Certain bacteria have become speciali-zed in the breaking down and conversion ofharmful substances into less harmful ones.The filter material of the aquarium filter provi-des ideal conditions for these bacteria whichbecome established there over a period ofabout two weeks. More details on this aregiven in the following chapter and in the JBLBrochure "What - Why - How" No. 2.

At the beginning you need to know that thereare external and internal filters. Internal filtersare positioned in the aquarium, with theadvantage that there no pipes containingwater running outside the aquarium, whichcould spring a leak. On the other hand, theroutine cleaning which is needed from time totime entails "splashing around" in the aqua-rium. We recommend the JBL internal filter

105. TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

Many external filters e.g. JBL CristalProfi aresupplied complete with filter material which isadequate for aquariums with normal stockinglevels. If you buy a filter which does not containfilter material, we recommend the following: small pieces of ceramic pipe (JBL Cermec)for the bottom layer (about 1/3 of the filter con-tent). Almost all of the remaining filter volumeshould be filled with a material which gives cle-ansing bacteria the best possible conditions toestablish colonies. A whole range of suitablematerials are available. The most common iscoarse foam e.g. JBL Filterpad F15 for theJBL CristalProfi external filter. A mixture of

coarse and fine filter floss, JBL Symec Mix, isalso highly suitable. The non-plus ultra amon-gst biological filter materials are materialsmade of sintered glass, such as JBL Sinto-Mec and JBL Micromec. This is topped witha final thin layer of foam (JBL FilterPad F35)or cotton floss, JBL FilterPad VL or JBLSymec VL. This composition can be used forfilters in which the water flows from the bottomto the top. If the flow is in the opposite direction,the order of the layers is reversed, with thesmall ceramic pipes placed at the top. Anyother filter materials such as peat or particu-larly activated carbon should not be usedunder any circumstances in the filter of a newaquarium. Later, in the course of your careeras an aquarist, you will come across cases in

which activated carbon is needed e.g. to filterout residues of medicines over a limited periodof time. It will also be necessary from time totime to clean the filter material. Greatly redu-ced water flow through the filter is an indicationthat it needs cleaning. Remove the filter mate-rial from the filter (following the maker's instruc-tions) and rinse under luke-warm, runningwater (25°C). Do not use hot water or deter-gents. Do not clean too thoroughly, toavoid harming the beneficial bacteriawhich have settled in the filter material.More filters have been "cleaned to death" thanhave expired through lack of cleaning. Aftersetting up an aquarium for the first time, the fil-ter material should not be cleaned in the first 4- 8 weeks.

11

Wat

er fl

ow1.

3.

4.

5.

2. 2.

Well run-in aqua-riums and filtersare characterisedby crystal-clear,healthy water inwhich your fishdisplay their mostbrilliant colours.

1) JBL Symec XL filter floss. 2) JBL Cer-mec small ceramic pipes. 3) JBLSymec-Mix. 4) JBL SintoMec. 5) JBL Symec.

ProCristal 50 and 100for standard aquariumsof 60cm and 80 cm(approx. 50 and 100 l). Aspecial feature of this fil-ter is a pre-filter cartridgewhich can be cleaned orreplaced regularly, pro-tecting the actual biolo-gical filter material fromundue soiling and there-fore ensuring a longerworking life.

Ask your specialistaquarium supplier aboutJBL ProCristal internal filters.Air-operated internal filters are not recom-mended as they expel the CO2 which is vitalfor plant growth (see chapter on plants).

We recommend motorised external filters,e.g. from the JBL CristalProfi range, for lar-ger aquariums. The filter can be convenientlypositioned below or behind the aquarium,with only the less intrusive supply and sipho-ning tubes actually in the aquarium. In con-trast to internal filters, a larger volume is avai-lable for the filter mass. Check that you buy amodel in which the pipes can be preventedfrom slipping by screw fittings, clips or suchlike. Despite rumours to the contrary, pipesare part of the "living inventory" of an aqua-rium and always seem to change their posi-tion when you are away.

Quick-disconnect plugs with stop valves, eit-her fitted or available as an accessory, makeroutine cleaning of the filter easier.

The selection of suitable filter material whichwould provide the ideal conditions for benefi-cial bacteria, as mentioned previously, is nota problem with motorised internal filters asthese are supplied with ideally suited foam fil-ter cartridges.

135.2 HeatingSince the large majority offish which are easy to keepand therefore suitable for abeginner's aquarium comefrom tropical countries,your aquarium will need aheater. A temperature ofbetween 23 - 26°C will pro-vide the right "working con-ditions" for your fish,(depending on species).Aquarists' stores sell avariety of aquarium hea-ters. We recommend a rod-shaped thermostat heater.JBL ProTemp, availablefrom any specialist aqua-rium store, is an extremelycompact regulated heatingrod which takes up verylittle room in an aquarium. This heater is fully submer-sible and features a scale on which the tem-perature can be precisely regulated to wit-hin +/-0.5°C. For safety we recommendmonitoring the temperature with the JBLAquarium Thermometer. As a generalrule, you should allow 0.5 Watts per litre ofwater in a normally heated living room. Submersible ground heating cables arealso available. These can be laid in the sub-strate of the aquarium, providing plants with"warm feet", which encourages growth.These heating systems are comparativelyexpensive and we do not consider themnecessary for a novice aquarium.

5.3 LightingLighting not only enhances the appea-rance of the aquarium, it is also the sourceof vital energy needed by the plants tothrive and develop their full glory. At thesame time the plants supply the underwa-ter world with essential oxygen. Well-

stocked aquarists' suppliers offer a widevariety of styles and configurations ofaquarium lighting either as individuallamps or complete aquarium hoods. We recommend lighting or a hood with oneor more fitted fluorescent tubes to savecosts. Fluorescent tubes produce the mostlight for the energy consumed. Accordingto the latest findings, aquarium plantsrequire the full natural spectrum of light inorder to thrive. JBL SOLAR full-spectrum tubes providethe right source of light for your underwa-ter world. Full-spectrum tubes not onlyenable the plants in the aquarium to pro-duce healthy growth, to the disadvantage

tubes can be used, we recommend a com-bination of SOLAR Tropic and SOLARNatur. The SOLAR Natur tube should beinstalled as the front tube, as this createsan impression of depth in the aquarium.

However great the temptation might be, westrongly advise against the use of tubeswhich emit a more or less pink light, andwhich will bathe your underwater world inan unnatural candy-coloured glow. Alt-hough candy-coloured lights may be con-sidered under the heading "a matter oftaste", it has been proved that this shadeof light promotes undesirable algae gro-wth, which is exactly what should be avoi-ded especially at the beginning. If, howe-ver, you still do not want to do withoutcandy-coloured light, one tube in thiscolour can be used in a lighting system

Aquarium lighting should therefore be swit-ched on for 10 to 12 hours a day, at thelongest. A time switch will guarantee aregular cycle, saving the fish unnecessarystress. Set the lighting times so that thefish are still active when you have time toobserve them in the evenings e.g. on at 11a.m. and off at 10 p.m.

12HEAT & LIGHT

Most aquarium fish flourish in temperatures of 23 - 26°. Slight temperature fluctuations of 1 - 2° are not harmful.Even in the natural environment, temperatures vary widely with the season.

If you send your fish "to bed" in the evening with adimmed light (e.g. a spotlight up to 60 W), you will beable to enjoy the fascinating spectacle of the coloursand behaviour of the fish.

of algae, but also show the full brilliance ofthe fishes natural colouring. For hoods with only one fluorescent tubewe recommend the JBL SOLAR Tropiclight shade, as this is ideally suited to theneeds of plants. If two or more fluorescent

Provide the right lighting "climate” for your fish withthe JBL SOLAR Tropic and Natur fluorescent tubes. with 2 or more tubes. Further details about

the use of light in the aquarium are to befound in the JBL brochure "What – Why –How?" Book 7. With regard to the lengthof time the lighting should be switched on,most aquatic plants flourish best underconditions similar to a tropical day, whichis almost exactly divided into 12 hours of

daylight and 12 hours darkness. Becauseof the angle of the sun's rays in the earlymorning and evening, the underwater daylasts only about 10 hours.

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6. DAS WASSER15

aquarium keeping you will perhaps want tokeep more "demanding" fish requiringspecific water preparation. At the begin-ning, however, you should select fishwhich thrive in the tap water which is easilyavailable. Details on the requirements offish can be found in specialist literature orby asking your specialist supplier.

More detailed information isgiven in the JBL Brochure"What - Why - How?"Book 2.

You should, however, knowa few basic facts aboutwater chemistry.

6.1 Water HardnessYou are sure to have noticed that in someareas you need a lot of soap to producefoam when washing your hands, and inother areas you need very little. Where notmuch soap is needed, the water is soft, andwhere a lot of soap is needed the water ishard. The hardness of the water is due tothe water absorbing differing amounts ofminerals which cause hardness as it pas-ses through various rock layers until collec-ting as ground water. The degree ofhardness depends on the area and compo-sition of the rock layers. If the water flowsthrough chalky soil, more minerals causinghardness are dissolved than if it flowsthrough primary rock (e.g. granite etc).Water hardness can be measured and thelevels are expressed in degrees of Germanhardness. Hardness is classified as totalhardness and carbonate hardness. Thereare convenient JBL Test Sets to measureboth of these. At the beginning you need toknow that carbonate hardness, caused bysoluble chalk in the water, is far more impor-tant, in fact vital, for your aquarium. Carbo-nate hardness ensures that the pH level,which we will look at next, does not soar,

The water in your aquarium, the naturalelement for your plants and fish, plays avital role. On the one hand the water andits properties influences the fish and plantsliving in it, on the other hand the biologicalprocesses of the fish and plants have aninfluence on the quality of the water. Forthis reason we would like to explain somefacts about water.

Having filled your aquarium with tap waterat the correct temperature, as explained inpoint 2.5 of the guidelines, the water mustnow be prepared ready for the fish. Tapwater has been treated according tohygiene standards as drinking water forhumans. The water which comes out of thetap is not the ideal habitat for fish. This caneasily be remedied by adding the waterpreparation solution JBL Biotopol to thetap water. JBL Biotopol immediately binds any chlo-rine and heavy metals (e.g. from copperpipes) which are toxic to fish and may bepresent in the water. In addition, it addsorganic protective colloids needed by thefish to keep their mucous membraneshealthy. These protective colloids are to befound in the water in the fishes naturalenvironment. Hygiene standards for dome-stic drinking water mean that they areundesirable, and therefore have to beadded to aquarium water.

Any other water preparation measures,such as softening or mixing with rainwateror distilled water, should not be carried outunless specifically recommended in laterchapters. Tap water has an unvarying qua-lity and is the best guarantee of consistentconditions in the aquarium. At a later datewhen you have sufficient experience in

In its natural state,water contains all

the substanceswhich are essentialfor fish to live. Tapwater, on the other

hand, has to bemade "fish-

friendly" by theaddition of JBL

Biotopol.

If you wish to keep SouthAmerican fish which prefer"black water" in your firstaquarium, you will need to add JBL Tropol.

The new lid makes precisedosing simple.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR AT THE BEGINNING

146. WATER

17something which the fish and plants do notlike at all. For this reason you should checkthat the carbonate hardness of the aqua-rium water is at least 5 German degrees,keeping it as constant as possible withregular partial changes of water. This is theonly reason for any water treatment measu-res, which we recommend in the initial sta-ges. Should your tap water be below 5degrees German carbonate hardness, youshould increase the hardness level to about5 degrees with JBL AquaDur plus

for the well-being of your fish. It is best to dothis in a separate container from which youcan add water when partially changing theaquarium water. Higher levels of carbonatehardness in the tap water should simply beaccepted. If the level exceeds 15 degrees,fish should be selected accordingly. Totalhardness should also be accepted as itcomes, do not worry about it. It only beco-mes important if you later decide to breedfish from extremely soft waters.

16

THE JBL TEST

FUTTER

NitritNO2

NitritNO2

AmmoniumNH4

Abfallstoffe

Stickstoffkreislauf im Aquarium:

the patience of aquarium keepers,JBL has developed a bacteria prepa-ration which shortens the waiting time.With JBL Denitrol you can introduce a largenumber of beneficial bacteria to the aqua-rium right from the early stages. Follow themanufacturer's instructions. In addition, youshould add half a feed tablet (JBL Novotab)to the water on the first day to further accele-rate the increase in numbers of the bacteria.As a rule, you can begin to release fish intothe aquarium from the fifth dayonwards. Measure the nitrite levelbeforehand to check that it isunder 0.2 mg/l.

6.2 pH levels

The pH level indicates whether aliquid reacts in an acidic, neutral orbasic (alkaline) manner. The pH scaleranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14(very alkaline), with neutral (neitheracid nor alkaline) at about 7. We are constantly confronted with thephenomenon of the pH level in ourdaily lives. Coca Cola, for example,has a pH level of 3. All dishes whichwe consider to taste good are more or lessacidic. Most fishes and plants are easily andsuccessfully kept at pH levels around neu-tral. One important piece of information isthat, with a one point change in the pH level,the concentration of the substances whichdetermine the pH level alters tenfold, andwith a 2 point change the alteration is onehundredfold. For this reason any suddenfluctuations should be avoided. In your newaquarium the carbonate hardness regulatesthe pH level, ensuring that it does not sink

below 7 or rise above 8 - 8.5. In themorning it will usually be about 7, andabout 8 in the evening. You can mea-sure the pH level using the JBL pHTest Set 3.0 - 10.The pH level is largely determined bythe interrelation of carbonate hardnessand CO2. Carbonate hardness raisesthe pH level to a certain extent, whe-reas CO2 lowers it. If the two balanceeach other, the level is around the neu-tral point, 7. Plants extract CO2 from

the water through assimilation, causing thepH level to gradually rise towards 8. If requi-red, the level can be increased to above 8by switching off the lighting. Airstonesshould not be installed on any account asthey force CO2 out of the water, raising thepH level. If you wish to spend more money on thewell-being of your fish, you can provide anadditional source of CO2 for you aquariumwith the JBL PROFLORA CO2 Set. Thisallows the pH level to be constantly maintai-

Nitrite levels of under 0.2 ml/l are seldom measured in thinly-stockedaquarium with healthy plant growth. The aquarium water shouldbe checked regularly,particularly at thebeginning.

FEED

NO4AMMONIUM NO2

NITRITENO3

NITRATE

PLANTSAND ALGAE

such as excre-ment, urine, leftover food anddead plants

waste products

ned at 7, the most beneficial level, and theplants are supplied with the essential nutri-ent, CO2. This widens the range of plantswhich can be selected. More on this in thechapter on plants.

6.3 Nitrite

Nitrite is a highly toxic by-product producedduring the conver-sion and decompo-sition of the fishes' excrementand otherorganic matter by the bacteria. As already mentioned in the chapter on fil-ters, certain beneficial bacteria, also referredto as nitrifying bacteria, are responsible forthis task. Unfortunately these bacteria growand increase very slowly.

Without a "helping hand" it would take about2 - 3 weeks for the bacteria to multiply andsettle sufficiently in the filter (and in the sub-strate). Characteristic for these 2 - 3 weeksof development and maturing is a nitrite levelwhich initially rises very slowly to reach ahigh level before gradually sinking again.Fish should not be released into the newaquarium until the nitrite level has sunk oncemore to below 0.2 mg/l (measured with theJBL Nitrite Test Set). As experience showsthat this 2 - 3 week waiting time greatly tests

1918

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In evolutionary terms, plants are our oldest relatives, appearing on the planet over 40 million years ago. Plantsproduce many of the basic biological components of life. We probably sense this when we are unable to resist thefascination of a "green aquarium”.

The supply of oxygen is the mostimportant advantage of a healthyaquarium.

CO2 is the vital "fuel” for your aqua-rium plants, without which they are

unable to grow.O2CO2

7. PLANTS6.4 Oxygen

Oxygen is the elixir of life for all theliving creatures in an aquarium. Fishneed it to breathe, the bacteria mentio-ned previously need it to carryout their vital work, and theplants have to breathe oxygen atnight in order to survive. Suffi-cient levels of oxygen areessential for a healthy aquarium.To ensure adequate supplies ofoxygen, the following stepsshould be taken: install the inter-nal filter with the opening for thewater to flow out about 2 cmbelow the surface of the waterso that the water flowing outdoes not produce a splashingcurrent on the surface. Thewater outflow of external filters be posi-tioned accordingly. This enables suffi-cient oxygen to be absorbed by thewater without expelling too much CO2.

Do not use aerators. The assimilation ofthe aquatic plants during the day enri-ches the water with biologically produ-ced oxygen.

There is always sufficient oxygen available for allinhabitants of the aquarium in well-planted aquari-ums with CO2 nutrients (small bubbles of gas are asign of adequate supplies of oxygen).

Air root systems of indoor plants (e.g. philoden-dron) trailed into the aquarium will form a densenetwork, providing hiding places for the fish andabsorbing harmful substances.

7.1 Why living plants?

As well as their attractive and decorativeeffect, healthy plants have an entirely posi-tive influence on the aquarium biotope. Inphotosynthesis, a unique chemical pro-cess to which all forms of animal life onearth owe their existence (including wehumans), plants use the energy of light tosynthesize a major part of their own sub-stance from water and CO2. Oxygen isproduced as a waste product, released bythe aquatic plants into the surroundingwater. This provides the other inhabitantsof the aquarium with a convenient andeffective supply of vital oxygen. Ofcourse, this process cannot takeplace at night (lack of light)and the plants have tobreathe normally.

Healthy plants produce farmore oxygen during theday than they consume at night. Livingplants also provide ideal hiding places foryoung fish and sites where beneficial bac-teria and micro-organisms can settle.These, in turn, serve as initial sources offeed for young fish. In aquariums withhealthy plant growth, the fish fall ill less fre-quently than otherwise. Last but not least,plants are very pleasant to look at.

7.2 What plants need to survive

Plants have some needs which have to bemet, in order that the beneficial effectsdescribed above can also be enjoyed inyour aquarium.You will find this easy using JBL productsand bearing in mind the following tips.Light is the source of energy which plantsneed for photosynthesis. This energysource can be supplied by a lightingsystem from an aquarists' store. Tips onthe type of lighting and duration are givenin the chapter on lighting.

Remember to change fluorescent stripsafter a year, replacing them with ones ofthe same colour, even if they appear to beintact.The most important nutrient required byplants is CO2. A CO2 nutrient unit such asJBL PROFLORA CO2 Set will provide this

nutrient in an easily accessible form. Notethat the aquarium should be at least 30 cmdeep, which is normally the case for aqua-riums over 60 cm long. If this set provestoo expensive at the beginning, careful sel-ection of the types of plant will be ade-quate. In such as case it is important that

21the low levels of CO2 in the water are notreduced further by airstones or splashingfilter return tubes.

Other important factors are the supply ofmineral nutrients and trace elements fromthe ground-covering material and water.The ground cover should be made up oftwo layers as explained in the chapter onground cover. The lower layer, with itsreserves of nutrients carefully balanced tomeet the needs of aquatic plants (JBLAquaBasis Plus), nourishes the plantsthrough the roots. The upper layer of pre-washed aquarium gravel should have aparticle size of 2 - 3 mm to ensure ade-quate circulation of the ground water.

Weekly supplements of JBL Ferropol sta-ple fertilizer provide the plants with all themain nutrients which are less unstable andcan therefore be given as a long-term sup-ply. Essential trace elements, which areoften deficient due to their sensitive reac-tion to oxygen, can be given as a supple-mentary dose each day in the form of thedaily fertilizer, JBL Ferropol 24. Thus theplants are supplied with all the essentialnutrients needed to be absorbed throughtheir leaves. This prevents iron deficiency.The nutrients in Ferropol and Ferropol 24are carefully balanced so that the correctlevels of fertilizer can be monitored usingthe JBL Iron Test Set. After about threeyears the reserves of nutrients in the lowerlayer of substrate will have diminished.Supplies can be boosted by providing theplants with JBL 7 Pellets placed strategi-

cally in the gravel. JBL offers a convenientstarter set, JBL ProFloraStart, containingthe three fertilizers described above, gua-ranteeing healthy plant growth from theoutset: a carefully balanced nutrient sub-strate JBL AquaBasis plus, the staple fer-tilizer JBL Ferropol and the daily fertilizerJBL Ferropol 24. These three productsalso constitute steps 1 – 3 of the new JBL7 Step Concept for perfect aquatic plantswhich is described in more detail in Bro-chure No. 6 "Plant care”.

7.3 Selecting the plants

Before you begin selecting the plants for yournew aquarium you have to decide whetherthe aquarium should be fitted with a CO2nutrient unit. If you wish to start without a CO2nutrient unit, you should limit your selectionof plants to ones which are slow-growing.Fast-growing plants with a higher consump-tion of CO2 would rapidly drive the pH levels

A Dutch plant aquarium requires a great deal of timeand skill. You should have some degree of experiencebefore embarking on an aquarium like this one.

up to 8. When purchasing plants,ask specifically for slow-growingplants which are easy tokeep.

A good choice would beCryptocoryne wendtii or affi-nis from the large family ofCryptocoryne or smaller spe-cies from the family of Echin-odorus amazonicus.

Ask your specialist supplier to show you slow-growing varieties which are easy to care for. Ifyou decide to install a CO2 nutrient unit fromthe beginning, you can choose from the fullrange and decorative variety of the aquaticplants stocked by aquarists' stores. With ade-quate supplies of the main nutrient, CO2, bothfast and slow-growing plants will thrive.

In either case, whether with or without CO2,you should not skimp on plants at the begin-ning. Sparsely planted aquariums suffer farmore from undesirable growths of algae. Sel-ect plants so that the aquarium presents awell-designed scene with visually pleasingappearance. Select plants for the backgroundwhich grow up to the surface of the water.Medium-sized plants are suitable for themiddle, with miniature species in the foregro-und. Long-stemmed plants and smaller fore-ground varieties are more effective plantedtogether in larger groups in an appropriatespace in the aquarium. Particularly attractivespecimen plants can form a decorative fea-ture.

Echinodorus

tenellus

Hygrophilia

difformis

Lobelia cardinalis

Nomaphila stricta

Unfortunately, certain species of terrestrial plants withparticularly decorative leaves are frequently "drowned"and forced into the role of aquatic plants. If any so-cal-led "aquatic" plant with attractive red or white strippedleaves should remind you of house plants, do not buy it!

Such plants may be capable of surviving for a surpri-singly long period of time underwater, however they areslowly but surely dying and polluting the water. It's all a matter of supply and demand....

The JBL BioCO2 Set 100 provides aquariums of up to100 l with an economical supply of CO2, produced bio-logically by micro-organisms.

RECOMMENDED AQUATIC PLANTS

FOR BEGINNERS

20

Cryptocoryne

SLOW-GROWING PLANTS

Javanese fernEchinodorus amazonicus

23tive near broad-leaved plants, light greennext to dark green etc. Always arrangelong-stemmed plants and miniature rosetteplants in groups. Now, roll up your sleevesand off you go!Carefully bed the ends of long-stemmedplants in the gravel. Plant the roots ofrosette-shaped varieties deeper in the gra-vel, carefully pulling the plant out againuntil the junction between the roots and theleaves is level with the surface of the gra-vel. The plants need a lot of rest after plan-ting to become established and acclimati-sed to conditions in the aquarium.

7.5 Algae

Undesirable algae growth is the maincause of people abandoning the fascina-ting hobby of aquarium keeping. We wouldlike to explain what steps you can takeright from the beginning to prevent thishappening to you. Algae are plants too andtherefore need the same nutrients andenvironment as other aquatic plants. Andanother point: a little algae here and thereis no cause for concern, it is an integralpart of an aquarium. No aquarium is evercompletely free of algae! But on theother hand there should not be too muchalgae either.

The more nutrients that are absorbed byhealthy aquatic plants, the harder it is foralgae to flourish. Therefore, healthy plantgrowth is the best insurance againstunwanted algae. If plant growth is distur-bed e.g. by constant fiddling about in theaquarium, frequent re-siting of the plants,changes in lighting (light colour) etc., algaemay take the upper hand.

As a lower life-form, algae can adapt morereadily to new conditions, vigorously spr-outing forth and taking advantage of thenutrients which the plants are unable to uti-lize because of the disturbances. There isone more thing that they love: the nutri-

7.4 Planting

There are a few points to notice beforeplanting the aquatic plants you havepurchased from your aquarists' store. Theaquarium should be filled with water at thecorrect temperature and the hardware (fil-ter, lighting, heating) be operating correc-tly. Remove all metal ties, plastic pots,rock-wool and anything else attached tothe lower end of the plants.

Using sharp scissors, trim about 1/3 of theroots of rosette-shaped plants. Removeany rotten or dead leaves. Long-stemmedplants are usually sold with few, if any,roots. Remove only dead leaves or stems.

Before planting youshould have someidea of how youwish to arrange theplants. It is helpfulto draw a plan. Usethe variety of sha-pes and coloursavailable to formcontrasts ratherthan a monotonousuniformity. Plantswith feathery lea-ves are most effec-

MEASURES AGAINST VIGOROUS ALGAE GROWTH

Algae-eating fish, such as these Siamese barbs, areuseful helpers in the battle against unwanted algae.

Regular partial changes of water and frugal feedingprevent increases in the nitrate and phosphatelevels of the water. Nitrate and phosphate levelscan be reliably tested with the JBL Nitrate TestSet and the JBL Phosphate Set.

Test your tap water too. This is often the sourceof problems.

In order to filter phosphate and nitrate out of theaquarium water, JBL has developed three highlyefficient special filter materials. JBL PhosEx Ultrabinds excess phosphates quickly and reliably with-out releasing them again. JBL NitratEx is an ion-exchange resin which binds mainly nitrates andconverts it to chloride. It can be regenerated usingsalt. JBL BioNitratEx is a filter material which

Fast-growing floating plants extract a lot of harmfulsubstances from the water, particularly in the initialstages, look very attractive with their dense network ofroots and are an ideal refuge for many fish. Of course,they have to be "harvested" after a time to allow morelight into the aquarium.

ents, nitrate and phosphate. For this rea-son, JBL's aquatic plant food containsneither nitrates nor phosphates asthese nutrients are provided by the meta-bolism of the fish. An aquarium has a high risk of algae deve-loping during the first few weeks after ithas been started up. The plants must firstadapt to their new habitat and requirehardly any nutrients during this time. Waitfor two weeks after planting, when theplants should have begun to grow, beforegiving regular doses of JBL Ferropol orJBL Ferrotabs. Any growths of algae inthis period should be removed.

Algae-eating fish, which should be inclu-ded in the planning of the "aquarium inha-bitants", play a useful role in the fightagainst unwanted algae. Small catfish e.g.Otocinclus or live-bearing poecilia (Mollys,Guppys, Platys) should be considered.Young fish of the Siamese barbus areinsatiable consumers of algae. Unfortuna-tely they become somewhat quarrelsomein their old age and not so fond of their"greens". Small shrimp which tirelessly devour algaeare becoming more and more common inspecialist shops. Personal favourites of the

author are the caridina and neocaridinaspecies, with some very interestinglycoloured breeds.

encourages colonisation by nitrate-absorbing bacteria and thereby almostcompletely removes nitrate biologi-cally, without releasing chloride. In the eventthat no improvement is seen despite the reduc-tion in the nutrients, nitrate and phosphate, thealgae can be combated in a gentle, biologicalmanner using JBL BioFerm. This is made ofbarley straw, treated with bacteria. It slowlyreleases certain natural substances which inhi-bit the growth of algae. And the final resort isJBL Algol, an algae preventative which, howe-ver, does not deal with the cause of the algae.

Legal caution: use algaecides with care,always read the instructions and labelling.

Trimming the roots and planting

22

258. THE FISH

Blue gourami

Remember that many fish which arepurchased as young fish can reach a

considerable size within a year e.g. theClown Loach

8.3 Introducing the fishWhen the great day has at last arrived andyou stand in front of your aquarium withyour newly-acquired housemates, it is timeto release them into their new home in thecorrect manner. The following procedurehas proved successful, (you will also findthese instructions on the rear of the JBLFish Transport Bag which your aquarists'supplier may use):

1. First switch off the lighting. Place the closedtransport bag on the surface of the water and let it float there for about 15 minutes.

2. Open the transport bag and attach it, open, to the side of the aquarium (e.g. with a washing peg). Carefully fill water, a little at a time, from the aquarium into the open trans-

port bag until the volume of water in the baghas approximately doubled.

3. Remove the transport bag from the aquarium and carefully shake the contents over a bucket into a net. Release the fish intothe aquarium, Alternatively, catch themdirectly in the transport bag using a net.

The transport water should bepoured away.

The lighting may be switched on again one ortwo hours later. Do not feed until the next day.

Add JBL Acclimol to the water immediately toquickly remedy any transport stressesand avoid damage to the vital mucousmembranes of the fish.

JBL Acclimol, with valuable plantextracts and vitamins, strengthens theimmune system of fish, reducing the riskof disease and helping the fish to acclima-tise to their new surroundings.

Always add JBL Acclimol to the aqua-rium water after working in the aquariumor introducing new fish.

Swordtail

8.2 How many fish?Exercise restraint in the total number of fish.When the nitrite test gives the go-ahead,start with a few fish. After 1 - 2 weeks, whenyou have confirmed that everything is run-ning smoothly, you can add a few more.This gives the filter bacteria time to adapt tothe amount of waste produced by the excre-ment from the fish. As a general rule ofthumb for the density of fish recommendedfor an aquarium, allow 1 cm fish per litre ofwater. This applies to fully grown fish. Sinceall fish are usually sold as young fish, youshould allow enough leeway in your calcu-lations. Ask your supplier about the final

size of the fish. Over-stocking the aquarium increasesthe risk of unwanted algae growth. Striped armoured

catfish

Rosy tetra

Having bought your future charges, take the transportbag and contents home as quickly as possible. Do not shake unnecessarily and keep the bag dark (newspaper etc.) to avoidfrightening the fish. If you wish to catch a fish, be

calm and patient. Patienceand cunning usuallybring quick rewards and

save damaging the aqua-rium decorations.

Red neon

8.1 Selection

We wish to leave the choice of fish up toyou, with the specialist advice of your aqua-rists' supplier. When buying fish, you shouldinsist on species that are easy to look after,which are suited to the size of your aqua-rium and which are compatible. Useful fishfor novices are live-bearing poecilia whichhelp to keep down the levels of unwantedalgae, as mentioned previously.These fish also have interesting bre-eding habits: they are live-bearing astheir name says. With a little luck,you will soon be able to experiencethe "happy event" in your aquarium.Other fish families make interesting fishfor beginners e.g. tetras, barbs or gou-rami. Ask for advice. Algae-eating fish,mainly from the catfish family, should beamongst your selection.

24

Some popular fish for beginners:

Black neon

278.4 FEEDING THE FISH

Varied, according to need, high quality – youcan’t go wrong with the JBL food range.

There is one unfortunate aspect of fish-keeping which we need to mention: fishcan become ill.

As a rule, diseases are a sign of inade-quate maintenance. Any successful treat-ment must therefore be followed up with areview of maintenance procedure andimprovements in care.

The most common fish disease is whitespot or ichthyophthirius, which can beidentified by a large or small number oflittle white spots on the fins and body of thefish. This disease can be easily and safelyremedied with JBL Punktol. You shouldalways keep a bottle of this medication athome. It should never be used as a prophylactic,

Fish diseases, such aswhite spot diseaseshown here, occur sel-dom if fish arekept correctly.

but only when symptoms of thedisease have been identified.

More details on fish diseasesand their treatment can befound in our brochure

"What - Why - How?" Book 4.

8.5 FISH DISEASES

surface of the water as is consumed in 2 - 3minutes without any leftovers. Do thisthree times a day. Later, when the fish arefully grown, 1 - 2 feeds per day given in thesame manner will be sufficient. Allow thefish to fast for a day occasionally by givingthem nothing to eat. Do not use feedingrings. These concentrate the feed in toosmall an area with the result that smallerand more timid fish will often have insuffi-cient food.Open boxes of feed should be kept in a

dark, cool and dry place to prevent anydeterioration in quality. As manufactu-

rer we guarantee the freshness and vitamincontent of the feeds by stamping a use-bydate on the container and hermetically sea-ling the tubs. The vitamins and other essen-tial ingredients in the feeds have a limitedshelf life once the container has been ope-ned. We therefore recommend that you buyfeed in quantities which will be used up wit-hin 2 - 3 months. The tempting bargains oflarge boxes or even buckets of feed aredetrimental to the health of your fish in theend.

A special type of food should bementioned: JBL NovoPleco. Thisfood contains a high level of woodfibre and is absolutely vital for thepopular ancistrus and other plant-eating armoured catfish.

More detailed information on feedsand nutrition is to be found in ourbrochure "What - Why - How?",Book 3.

However, we would like to giveyou some important tips on feeding

at this point. Most beginnersmake the mistake of feedingtoo much too often. Bear in

mind that fish in the wild do notalways find something to eat andtherefore constantly hunt for food,

which can easily tempt novi-ces to give too much food.

Since the fish you havepurchased are usually youngfish which are still growing, as

we mentioned previously, youshould scatter as much food on the

26

Varied, high quality, meeting nutritional needs,

you cant go wrong with theJBL food range.

Feeding the fish is one of the mostimportant and pleasurable routinejobs which now links you with youraquarium.

JBL, with its varied series offeeding materials designed tomeet the specific needs of thefish, ensures that your fish arealways offered a wide selectionof menus. Under the name,Novobel, you will find a staplefood made up of over 50 rawmaterials, which meets thedaily needs of your fish.Variety and colour is offeredby the staple food Novoco-lor and the premium foodGALA. In addition there aremany special feed sortsfor the more specializedfish e.g. tablets for gro-und feeding fish and forplant-eaters, NovoTab andNovoFect.

All JBL food products are produced stric-tly according to need, guaranteeing that theingredients are absolutely fresh.

2928 Since most beginners tend to work on theprinciple of "you can't have too much of agood thing", we would like to give a realisticview of the maintenance tasks which arenecessary.

Daily:

The most important item is, of course, feedingthe fish. Remember the tips given in the pre-vious chapter.At the same time you should use this oppor-tunity to observe all the fish, noticing any inju-ries, parasitic infections or incompatibility. Doask the advice of an experienced aquariumkeeper or your specialist aquarium supplier, abeginner often tends to interpretevery unfamiliar movement as asign of illness.Check the temperature and thatother equipment is operating nor-mally.

Once a fortnight:

The most important fortnightlymaintenance task is a partialchange of water, adding nutrientsfor the aquatic plants. Take outabout 30% of the aquarium waterusing either a siphoning tube or JBL AquaEx,mentioned earlier, and replace the water withtap water at the correct temperature. Whensiphoning out the water you can also carefullyremove any detritus you may notice. This iseasy to do using JBL AquaEx. Take care notto plough up the gravel in the process.Remove dead plant leaves and adjust plantgrowth if necessary.

If the filter flow has reduced significantly,wash the filter material as described pre-viously. Add any nutrients and water conditio-ner according to the amount of fresh water(JBL Ferropol and JBL Biotopol).

9. MAINTENANCE 10. LITERATURE

We particularly recommend thisbook:

Dreyer, Stephan; Keppler, Rainer: How to have a successful aquarium,t.f.h. publications Inc.Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 1993

(new edition in preparation)

And now we hope you have many ent-ertaining "fish-filled" hours of funwith your new aquarium.

The best care you can give your aquarium is to let itgrow undisturbed. Too many adjustments are oftenmade in an aquarium, new fish or plants are added,decorations moved etc.

Since carrying full, or even overflowing,buckets of water through the house maycause some protests from your nearest anddearest, here's a tip: a long hose from theaquarium directly into the "smallest room inthe house" avoids annoying puddles on yourexpensive living room carpet.

As required:Remove unsightly algae growth from theinner surface of the front panes of your aqua-rium. The outside of the glass should also becleaned now and then to remove any finger-prints and give a clear view of the fish. Testthe aquarium water occasionally, not only aspart of a partial water change, as described inthis brochure, adding any nutrients or additi

ves which may be lacking.

Art

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10 V

02G

B

Your specialist aquarists' retailerwill be pleased to advise you and recommend

further reading including the other

JBL WWH BROCHURESon further topics from aquaristics

YOUR SPECIALIST SUPPLIER

1BOOK

What - Why - How?

Setting upUSEFUL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

AN AQUARIUM