Aqua One AquaStyle 380

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Inspiring Excellence in Fish Care!

AquaStyle 380 510

620 620T 850 980 980T

Hints & Tips For Best Results

LIVE PLANTS

Once the water conditions and pH levels have

been corrected, live plants can be added to the

aquarium. Remember to empty some water from

the aquarium before adding anything to it.

REMEMBER LIVE PLANTS NEED TO BE FED!

An aquarium safe plant fertiliser should be used.

LIGHTING

It is recommended that the light is turned

completely off for at least 8 hours per day to allow

the sh a proper night period. More than 10 hours

of full light daily can encourage excessive algae

growth.

• The LED light unit does not require replacement

bulbs and should last the life of the tank.

• To maximise light quality, ensure that the clear

cover is kept clean.

FILTER MEDIA

Biological Filtration (Ceramic Noodles)

Biological ltration is a process where toxic

nitrogen compounds such as ammonia and nitrite

(Fish waste) are removed from the system via

a breakdown process carried out by nitrifying

bacteria. (Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas). These

nitrifying bacteria need substrate with a high

surface area to adhere to such as Ceramic

Noodles.

• When starting a new system it is important to

remember that bacteria takes time to develop and

grow.

• You can speed up the process by ‘seeding’ the

system with Aqua One Bio Starter.

• Over time this media can block up or break down

so it is important to monitor it.

Seek advice from your Aquarium Specialist if

either of these problems arise.

Mechanical/Chemical Filtration (Carbon

Cartridge)

This is the removal of dissolved organic and

inorganic substances through adsorption on a

porous substrate or by direct chemical removal.

Dissolved organic compounds are what turns the

water a yellow-brown colour or causes foaming

at the surface of the aquarium and need to be

removed.

• Remove carbon cartridge if treating sh with

medication.

• Replace every 6 – 8 weeks as the carbons

absorption capacity will have depleted.

• Rinse well before placing in the aquarium. (in tap

water)

Mechanical/Biological Filtration (Filter

Sponge)

This is the process whereby suspended solids or

particulate matter are removed from the water.

It is important to remove suspended solids not

only to improve clarity of the water but also to:

• Avoid smothering the gills with solids such that

sh cannot breathe.

• Decrease risk of disease outbreaks - there

are high numbers of bacteria associated with

suspended organic solids.

• Protect the biological lter material from rapidly

becoming clogged.

• Can also act as a biological lter medium by

providing sufcient surface area to host benecial

bacteria

Note: This is only a guide! You should seek

professional advice from your aquarium specialist

at the time of purchase.

DO NOT ADD ALL FISH AT ONCE!

Build stock levels slowly over time. Allow at least

one week between additions of sh. Add a lter

supplement to help the biological system cope

with the additional waste.

Do not over crowd. Remember all sh will grow,

so allow them adequate space.

Introduction of Fish

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Aqua One AquaStyle 380 and is the answer not in the manual?

Overview

Introduction of Fish
Live Plants
Lighting
Filter Media
Biological Filtration (Ceramic Noodles)
Mechanical/Chemical Filtration (Carbon Cartridge)
Mechanical/Biological Filtration (Filter Sponge)
Trouble Shooting
LIGHT UNIT DOES NOT WORK
POWER HEAD WORKING BUT NO / SLOW WATER FLOW
AQUARIUM POSSIBLY LEAKING

This document provides comprehensive hints and tips for maintaining an AquaStyle aquarium, covering models 380, 510, 620, 620T, 850, 980, and 980T. It outlines best practices for introducing fish, managing live plants, optimizing lighting, and maintaining filtration systems, alongside a troubleshooting guide for common issues.

Introduction of Fish

The manual emphasizes a cautious approach to introducing fish into a new aquarium. It strongly advises against adding all fish at once, recommending a gradual build-up of stock levels over time. A minimum of one week should be allowed between additions of fish. To support the biological system during this period, the use of a filter supplement is suggested to help cope with the increased waste. Overcrowding is discouraged, with a reminder that all fish will grow and require adequate space. The document stresses that this information is a guide and professional advice from an aquarium specialist should be sought at the time of purchase.

Live Plants

Live plants can be introduced once the water conditions and pH levels have been corrected. Before adding plants, it's recommended to remove some water from the aquarium. The document highlights that live plants require feeding, and an aquarium-safe plant fertilizer should be used.

Lighting

Proper lighting management is crucial for the well-being of fish and to prevent excessive algae growth. It is recommended to turn off the light completely for at least 8 hours per day to provide fish with a proper night period. The manual warns that more than 10 hours of full light daily can encourage excessive algae growth. The LED light unit, which does not require replacement bulbs, is designed to last the life of the tank. To maintain optimal light quality, it is important to keep the clear cover clean.

Filter Media

The document details the different types of filtration used in the AquaStyle aquariums: Biological Filtration (Ceramic Noodles), Mechanical/Chemical Filtration (Carbon Cartridge), and Mechanical/Biological Filtration (Filter Sponge).

Biological Filtration (Ceramic Noodles)

Biological filtration is described as a process that removes toxic nitrogen compounds like ammonia and nitrite (fish waste) from the system. This breakdown is carried out by nitrifying bacteria (Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas), which require a high surface area substrate, such as Ceramic Noodles, to adhere to. When setting up a new system, it's important to remember that these beneficial bacteria take time to develop and grow. The process can be accelerated by 'seeding' the system with Aqua One Bio Starter. Over time, this media can block up or break down, so regular monitoring is essential. If these problems arise, seeking advice from an Aquarium Specialist is recommended.

Mechanical/Chemical Filtration (Carbon Cartridge)

This type of filtration involves the removal of dissolved organic and inorganic substances through adsorption on a porous substrate or by direct chemical removal. Dissolved organic compounds are responsible for turning the water a yellow-brown color or causing foaming at the aquarium's surface, and their removal is necessary. If treating fish with medication, the carbon cartridge should be removed. Carbon cartridges have a limited absorption capacity and should be replaced every 6-8 weeks. Before placing a new cartridge in the aquarium, it should be rinsed well in tap water.

Mechanical/Biological Filtration (Filter Sponge)

The filter sponge is responsible for removing suspended solids or particulate matter from the water. Removing suspended solids is important not only for improving water clarity but also to prevent fish gills from being smothered, which can impede breathing. It also decreases the risk of disease outbreaks, as high numbers of bacteria are associated with suspended organic solids. Furthermore, it protects the biological filter material from becoming rapidly clogged. The filter sponge can also act as a biological filter medium by providing sufficient surface area for beneficial bacteria to host.

Trouble Shooting

The troubleshooting section addresses common issues related to the light unit, water flow, and potential leaks. It emphasizes the importance of consulting a qualified electrician if there are any doubts about the electrical installation or safety of the product.

LIGHT UNIT DOES NOT WORK

If the light unit is not working, the first step is to ensure the light switch is in the 'on' position. Secondly, verify that the light is plugged into the power supply and the switch is on.

POWER HEAD WORKING BUT NO / SLOW WATER FLOW

For issues with water flow, several checks are recommended. First, inspect the impeller for good condition and replace it if necessary. Second, ensure that the water level in the aquarium is above the power head, noting that the power head is a waterproof unit. Third, clean the impeller, power head, and all inlet and outlet pipes. Finally, check that the spray bar is inserted correctly with the end cap at the opposite end to the elbow.

AQUARIUM POSSIBLY LEAKING

If the aquarium is suspected of leaking, the following steps should be taken:

Clean the carbon cartridge, as a clogged cartridge can cause an overflow.
Ensure that the spray bar holes are pointed down onto the carbon cartridge.
Verify that the water level is not too high (refer to page 6 of the original manual for specific guidance).
If an air stone is being used, check if it is bubbling water over the rim of the aquarium; if so, turn down the air pump.
Confirm that the aquarium is sitting on a level surface.
For more thorough leak detection, follow these steps: a. Remove the light unit and filter unit from the top of the aquarium. Mark the current water level. Remove any excess water that might be sitting on the edge of the aquarium. Leave it for an hour. If the water level drops, proceed to step 6b. b. If the water level drops, remove the fish, decorations, and gravel. Empty the aquarium and clean the glass, explicitly stating DO NOT WASH IN SOAP OR DETERGENT. Place a piece of newspaper on a flat, level, solid surface. Carefully fill the aquarium, ensuring no water spills onto the newspaper. Leave the aquarium for several hours, then inspect the newspaper for any wet patches.