GUIDE GUIDE BARBARA KLINGBEIL

Aquaristic expert We differentiate between the mechanical may be longer for external filters than for internal filters of biological substances and and depend on the type of , the type of food and how Barbara Klingbeil that of chemical substances. Mechanical much food is added to the tank. Only high-quality food, filtration eliminates cloudiness to make the from brands like Tetra, provides optimal digestion so that appear crystal clear and ‘healthy’. the creatures excrete as few products as possible. Qualified biologist, freelance training manager and consultant at Tetra To achieve this, the water first flows After all, aquarium care starts with the feeding! Ideally, through coarse filter material, such as only about half of the filter medium should be cleaned. This ceramic noodles or . Fine foam then is done using a little tepid water or aquarium water that removes the tiniest floating particles. You has previously been removed by suction. You should be need to clean these filter media regularly aware that partially changing the water during The right kind of as they naturally become dirty rather this process could lead to major losses of filter quickly. However, mechanical cleaning is and therefore should be avoided. Of not enough to achieve good course, Tetra SafeStart and Tetra Bactozym can filtration is key as just because water is clear does not be added after cleaning to support bacteria necessarily mean that it is ‘healthy’ for growth in the filter. The filter is the heart of any aquarium. Selecting the right due to fish reproducing or the introduction of tiny creatures the creatures in the aquarium. Proper Now let’s talk about chemical one for the biotope is therefore essential. Not only must such as dwarf , the existing filter may have to be tests are therefore required to regularly check the water filtration. This mainly occurs you consider the size of the tank, but also the creatures that replaced with a more suitable one. In such cases, Tetra conditions. This is because only biological filtration with through the use of activated live in it. All Tetra AquaArt complete sets come with filters offers a whole range of equipment for all aquarium sizes ‘filter bacteria’ can make the water safe for fish. carbon granules or activated that are perfectly adapted to the fish stocks recommended and inhabitants! But where do these bacteria come from and how can carbon impregnated filter foam. for your aquarium. However, if aquarium conditions change I permanently preserve them? ‘Nitrifying’ bacteria are This filter is particularly recommended when introduced into newly created aquaria by aquatic using rain water or after treating There are some basic differences between Tetra’s external and internal filters. The table below gives you an overview of the but initially have a relatively insignificant existence until with medication in order to remove the active main advantages offered by each type of filter. the first creatures are introduced. As the fish stock grows ingredients from the aquarium water once the treatment each week, so does the bacteria population. If, however, you is complete. I do not believe in using for chemical want to play it safe in relation to sensitive fish or shorten filtration as the humic and that it contains your new tank’s run-in phase, please add filter bacteria in are released into the water in an uncontrolled manner. It is EX plus IN internal EasyCrystal Brillant internal the form of Tetra SafeStart. This contains living nitrifying better to use liquid peat extracts to create a near-natural external filter filter internal filter filter bacteria that activate the biological filtration of the aquarium, habitat, especially for fish from South America. Tetra preparing it more quickly for the introduction of fish. You ToruMin contains the correct doses of peat extracts and can also combine Tetra SafeStart with Tetra Bactozym to is therefore a valuable care product for certain aquaria. Takes up less room in the aquarium, No hoses or cabinet are required for installation. The filter is unobtrusively This simple filtering system used create an excellent breeding ground for the filter bacteria. If you have any questions about the filters or other giving your customers more design placed in the aquarium itself. in combination with an air pump Tetra Bactozym is designed technical products from Tetra or need spare parts for your freedom for aquatic plants and decorative is ideal for keeping young fish or features such as dwarf shrimps to prepare new filters for customers, I would once again like to warmly recommend The self-contained filter chamber replacing the filter medium every the settlement of bacteria Tetra’s technical support centre. This can be accessed via The larger filter results in longer reliably prevents dirt from infiltrating four weeks makes for fast and easy The small pore size enlarges intervals between cleanings and the aquarium – even when the filter cleaning the surface of the filter medium so and regenerate the surface the Tetra website at www.tetra.net. I hope you continue to therefore less work for your customers is cleaned much that numerous filter bacteria The comparatively slow water of the filter medium after enjoy your hobby and wish you all the best! can settle on it The variety of filter media optimally The small, black filter with flow rate ensures optimum biological cleaning. meet the differing filtration requirements matching black filter foam looks great filtering ‘Accidents’ often occur as a in an aquarium in the aquarium The filter easily attaches to the result of the filter medium The EX plus filter’s barely audible The surface structure of the filter rails provided in the Tetra AquaArt being cleaned too regularly running noise, low energy consumption and foam provides an optimum environment aquarium ease of start-up, including after cleaning, for filter bacteria to settle on or too harshly: the bacteria make it clearly stand out on the market are destroyed or decimated, the water quality quickly deteriorates and the fish die. This The main purposes of an are to clean the water and offer the aquarium creatures optimum water quality by is because if there are too few filter bacteria (or none at all), removing contaminants and waste materials. the and levels in the water quickly increase to poisonous levels. You should therefore combine both Moving house with an aquarium filter of the care products.

The filter bacteria need to break down organic matter in the water. This process is known as Correct cleaning aerobic . If you move house with the aquarium, please drain the water from the filter How should filter media be cleaned? First, you need to but keep the filter medium moist, where possible at room , and transport the filter quickly. know when to clean the filter and how much of the filter media should be removed. If the filter’s performance deteriorates, it is time for maintenance. Cleaning intervals

6 Fishkeeping 7 NEW PRODUCTS 4

Shatter proof, reliable and attractively designed Tetra EasyCrystal 2 Introducing the new filter cartridges 1 Tetra heaters Now with anti-algae depot agents Following the release of its new Heater ProLine range, Tetra now 3 offers six, premium-quality, automatic heaters for use in aquaria with 1 Coarse pre-filter: 4 Handy clip fasteners capacities up to 400 litres. These new heaters have been designed to white filter fleece for quick and simple cartridge make it simple and safe to adjust the water temperature and to help replacement g anti create the right environment for keeping ornamental fish. The devices 2 Narrow-pored fine filter: lastin -algae ng ag lo e have also been manufactured to extremely high standards of quality and green filter fleece nt are designed to be shatter proof. They are highly reliable and simple to use, partly due to the oversized temperature controller and partly due 3 Anti-algae depot agent: A Available for aquaria with a capacity of c e ti ré on du to the semi-electronic Triac technology, which allows for a particularly the continuous flow of anti gue up to 60 litres: -algues lon long service life. water inside the filter ensures • EasyCrystal Filter Pack 250/300 30L contains one tablet that the active agent is Maximum safety thanks to two dispensed gradually and in • EasyCrystal Filter Pack 250/300 60L contains two tablets ‘auto shut-off’ sensors, which the right dosage automatically disable the heater if the device is not submersed in the water: sensors are built From April 2014, Tetra EasyCrystal filter packs will also be The new Tetra EasyCrystal filter cartridges are just as practical The ultra-flat design allows heaters into both the upper and lower available with an integrated anti-algae agent. This will allow and easy to use as the existing filter packs: the old cartridge to be almost entirely hidden in the end of the heater and can detect aquarium owners to protect their tanks against turning an simply needs to be replaced with a new one about every four aquarium. This particularly appeals whether the device is overheating unsightly green colour and retailers to enjoy additional sales. weeks. The process is simple; there is no need to rinse out to aquarium owners who want regardless of where it has been the filter medium or even get your hands wet. to use their tanks as decorative installed. If this happens, they Tetra is constantly making fishkeeping easier, safer and accessories for their homes, with safely switch off the heater. less complicated for consumers – ‘convenience’ being the Excessive algae formation is one of the most frequent the main focus being on creating an buzz word for contemporary fishkeeping. The new Tetra problems in fishkeeping and a real annoyance for all aquarium attractive and natural-looking biotope The thermoplastic casing with an EasyCrystal filter cartridges for aquaria with a capacity of up owners. Preventative measures against unsightly green and concealing the necessary tank epoxy resin filling ensures that to 60 litres contain one or two tablets with anti-algae depot growth include measured feeding, sensible growth, equipment as much as possible. the products are highly break agents. These are integrated into the filter fleece and gradually proper water filtration and keeping appropriate fish stock resistant. release their active ingredient into the water during filtration. for your aquarium. The combination of an anti-algae depot The Tetra Heater ProLine range They are particularly effective against thread and brush algae agent with biological and mechanical filtration via a Tetra optimally combines modern The large heating element with a and effectively prevent any new algae formation. Thanks to EasyCrystal filter is a further effective means of preventing technology with maximum safety Kanthal core allows for maximum intensive mechanical and biological filtration, aquarium water and combating algae. By taking this quick and an attractive design. energy efficiency and highly is crystal clear and the biotope is free from undesired green and easy approach, aquarium owners efficient heat transfer. colouration. This makes it easier for consumers to look after can get maximum enjoyment from their tanks and enhances their enjoyment of the fascinating beautifully clean tanks! underwater world.

• Coarse pre-filter Informative product video • Narrow-pored fine filter For optimum end user communication, an informational video can be found on both Tetra’s website and its YouTube channel. This uses clear • Powerful pictures to comprehensively present the new Tetra magnet turbine NEW Heater ProLine range and highlight product benefits. • Anti-algae depot agent

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