- Products
- Help & Advice
- Blog
- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
- How to maintain good water quality in your fish tankTop tips on maintaining good water quality in your fish tank
- Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?
- All Blog Entries
- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
- Store Finder
- Trade Enquiries
- Contact Us
- Products
- Help & Advice
- Blog
- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
- How to maintain good water quality in your fish tankTop tips on maintaining good water quality in your fish tank
- Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?
- All Blog Entries
- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
- Store Finder
- Trade Enquiries
- Contact Us
Ask the Experts - We're here to help
Browse through our frequently asked questions to find an answer to your problem.
If you can't find an answer to your question, please fill in our Ask the Experts form and a member of our Customer Service Team
will come back to you shortly, complete with an answer to your question!
Most Frequently Asked
How often should I change my aquarium water?
Most aquariums should be cleaned every 2 weeks on average. It is easier to combine cleaning and water changes by using a gravel siphon, as this also removes any dirt and waste from the bottom of the tank.When can I add new fish to my tank?
If you are introducing new fish to a matured aquarium, then there shouldn’t be a problem. However, you should monitor the ammonia and nitrite level for the few days following introduction as a precaution. Also, you should quarantine any new fish for at least 4 days in a separate tank before adding to your main tank. This will help to prevent spreading any diseases.
It is advisable to run a new tank with water only for at least 1 to 2 weeks before adding fish, to allow the filter to build up some beneficial bacteria. It helps to add King British Filter Aid + during this period to help the filter to mature. Fish produce ammonia through respiration, and release it into the water through their urine and across the gills. In a matured aquarium, the filter can remove the ammonia quickly before it causes any problems. However, in a new, un-matured aquarium the ammonia will linger and may build up and cause problems. If fish are added straight away to a new tank then the ammonia they produce can poison them and they may die. Also, once you do start adding fish, they should be added slowly and gradually, not all at once. Spread it out over of a period of weeks by adding two or three fish at a time, to allow the filter to adjust to the larger load of ammonia and nitrite.
Ask The Experts
If you have a question about your aquatic pet and need some expert advice, our team of specialists are here to help you!
Just share with us the details of your query, what type of pet you have and your pet’s name.
Previous Questions
- Fish Care
- Aquarium - Maintenance and Care
- Set Up & Maintenance
- Does my aquarium need gravel or substrate?
- How long should I leave my aquarium lights on for?
- What maintenance should I do on my aquarium?
- What is a biological filter?
- How do I calculate the volume of water in my aquarium / pond?
- When can I add new fish to my tank?
- Can I add tap water directly to my aquarium?
- Water Quality
- How often should I change the aquarium water?
- How often should I clean my aquarium?
- How can I eradicate algae from my aquarium?
- Why are nitrite levels slowly creeping up in my new tank set up?
- Why does my aquarium water have a pale yellow tinge to it?
- What causes cloudy water in my aquarium?
- What is Water Hardness?
- How can I test the water in my aquarium?
- Set Up & Maintenance
- Fishkeeping Myth Busting
-
What maintenance should I do on my aquarium?The varies between all set ups, but as a rough guide you should do the following: Daily ✔ Check fish for signs of disease ✔ Check water temperature ✔ Check filter is working correctly Weekly ✔ Remove 10-15% of water and replace with de-chlorinated water - try using King British De-Chlorinator ✔ Test water conditions are suitable for the fish you keep (different species require different conditions) - Try adding King British Filter Aid +to help maintain good water quality. ✔ …Read More
-
How long should I leave my aquarium lights on for?For a planted tank 8-10 hours a day will be more than sufficient. Lights should never be on for 24 hours a day - the fish and plants will need their rest and without it may become stressed, possibly resulting in poor health and even death. What about direct sunlight? Be sure that your aquariums are kept out of direct sunlight as this will only promote the growth of algae in the aquarium.Read More
-
Does my aquarium need gravel or substrate?Substrate is recommended for various reasons, primarily because it provides biological filtration, allowing for beneficial bacteria to grow. Without it, beneficial bacteria might not grow in sufficient quantities to keep the water safe for your fish. Gravel will also provide a much more natural habitat for your fish, helping to keep stress levels down. It also provides somewhere for live plants to be bedded.Read More
-
Why are my fish spitting their food out?If it is a new food it may take a little time for your fish to get used to the new taste. You should keep feeding them with the food, removing any uneaten food after 2-3 minutes. It is also possible that you are feeding them a little too much food. Fish only require a very small amount of food, so try feeding them a little less. Some fish also spit their food out if the particles are too big, breaking them down into smaller more manageable sizes. Also, some fish like to taste their food before eating it - Bettas…Read More
-
How much should I feed my aquarium fish?As a general guide we recommend you feed your aquarium fish as much food as they will consume in 2-3 minutes of feeding time. Any excess food should then be removed from the tank to prevent it decomposing and negatively affecting the water quality.Read More