CARE & MAINTENANCE GUIDE PAGE

Water changes are done only once a week. Set a day to do this so you won't forget. Try not to skip the water the routine as much as possible.

MAINTENANCE STEPS:

1. Unplug the filter and the light from the power source to avoid any accidents. 
2. Using a clean toothbrush or sponge, gently scrub or brush off developing algae on the glass, rocks, and decors if there 's any. 
3. Remove unhealthy or dead leaves from the tank. Trim overgrown plants that could be blocking the light for the other plants in the tank. Cut about 2 to 3 inches of the stem and replant them there's still space, for a much lush growth.
4. Do the water change. Remove 50% of the old tank water using the gravel vacuum/water siphon. Siphon out gunk and detritus that has accumulated in the corners or the tank and over substrate. 
5. Clean the filter and the filter media using the removed old water from the aquarium. Do not wash with new water directly from the tap/faucet as it still has chlorine that might kill your beneficial bacteria.  Also, never use any soap or cleaning agent in any part of your aquarium. NOTE: You don't have to clean the filter every week. Only do this when the outflow is already weak due to the accumulated dirt in the filter media. 
6. Gently replace the removed old water with new, fresh dechlorinated water. To have a dechlorinated water, put a few drops of water dechlorinator (anti-chlorine) into a bucket of new water from faucet, before adding to the aquarium. Or, you can prepare dechlorinated water in advance by leaving your tap water in a container without cover for at least 24 hours. By not covering the container, the chlorine evaporate naturally. 
7. Re-install the light and the filter. Most filters need water inside it for it to re-start. Make sure you add water first before turning it on.  
8. Contact The Indoor Wetlands if you have any questions or clarifications regarding the care and maintenance of the aquarium. 

You may also refer to the VIDEO GUIDE: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PLANTED TANK below for step-by-step demonstration.  

CARE TIPS:

• Do not overfeed your fish. This is to keep your fish healthy and the tank clear of excess food that can pollute the water. Feed just the right amount your fish can consume within a minute and observe. Do not add all fish food serving in one go. 
• Never use water straight from the tap/faucet on any parts of the aquarium, especially on the filter. The chlorine from tap is harmful for your fish the microscopic life that keep the aquarium stable. 
• Keep the light on for only 6-7 hours per day. Too much exposure to light can cause severe algae problems. Use the light timer (if included in your package) to automate the switching on and off of your light according to schedule. 
• Eventually, you may want to add a complete liquid fertilizer after water changes (eg. API LeafZone) for a much healthier growth.   
• Do not hesitate to ask The Indoor Wetlands for any questions and clarifications regarding caring for your tank. 
• if you are going away for more than a week,  it would be good to get a trusted person to feed your fish (at least every other day) and check the aquarium's water level. Be sure to do a quick water change on your aquarium before going away.   

Whether you own the 12x12cm square or the 5" round, follow below guide and your mini water garden will stay in tip top shape for a very, very long time. Change water once a week as much as possible.

MAINTENANCE STEPS: 

1. Unplug the lamp from the power source. Detach the clamp from the glass. 
2. Remove any unhealthy or dead leaves and plant matter you can find. 
3. Trim the already super long, overgrown and droopy plants. If cutting is perfectly healthy, consider replanting them back to the substrate right beside the mother plant for a lusher plant growth.  Use aquascaping plant tweezer included in your set. 
4. Using cotton swabs, scrub off developing algae from the glass walls, rocks, decors if there's any. Don't forget the corners of the water garden. 
5. Under a faucet, run a gentle flow of tap water onto the mini water garden until it overflows. Allow this for a few seconds until water is clearer and free from debris. Make sure the water gently drops on a wood or rock to avoid disturbing the substrate. NOTE: You may rub your fingers against glass walls to further clean it, at the same time stir water to kick up settled debris during the water change. 
6. Wipe excess water off the glass and reinstall back the lamp.
7. Optional: Add a few drops of complete liquid fertilzer to help nourish the plants. (eg. API Leafzone)
8. Contact The Indoor Wetlands if you have any questions or clarifications regarding the care and maintenance of the mini water garden.

You may also refer to the VIDEO GUIDE: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MINI WATER GARDEN below for step-by-step demonstration.  

 CARE TIPS: 

• Always keep the water level almost near the glass rim. Evaporation can occur in the course of the week, just top it off with regular tap water when necessary. 
• The mini water garden will appreciate indirect, bright sunlight. They seem to do better when placed near sunny windows with access to bright afternoon sunlight. 
• Set the light to switch on for 6 hours daily (if near a sunny window), or 8 to 9 hours daily if in a dark windowless room. Use the light timer provided in the set so it switches on and off automatically even if you are not around.
• if you are going away for a several days, weeks, or even months, cover the mini water garden with  a clear plastic bag (eg. 1- gallon ziplock) to help lock in humidity and prevent the mini water garden from quickly drying up due to evaporation.

Just like the mini water garden, this creation only needs regular water changes under the faucet and occasional trimming to maintain. 

MAINTENANCE STEPS (Water Change Only): 

1. Unplug the light from the power source. and remove the light from from the glass. 
2. Under a faucet, run a gentle flow of tap water inside the cylinder until it overflows. Allow this for a few seconds until water is clearer and free from debris. Make sure the water gently drops on the glass walls instead to avoid disturbing the terracotta planting. NOTE: You may rub your fingers against glass walls to further clean it, at the same time stir water to kick up settled debris during the water change. 
3. Wipe excess water off the glass and reinstall back the lamp.

Occasionally, you may also need to trim the overgrown, stem plants to keep plants lush and clean the glass walls of the cylinder.  

MAINTENANCE STEPS (With Plant Timming and Glass Cleaning) 

1. Unplug the light from the power source. and remove the light from from the glass. 
2. Using the driftwood as your handle, gently pull out the terracotta pot out the cylinder.  Once out of the glass, you trim long stem plants and replant them if there's still space left in the pot. Use the aquascpaing plant tweezers provided for you in the kit. 
3. Clean the glass using a toothbrush or sponge. Wash pebbles to get rid of accumulated dirt and debris if there's any. 
4. Carefully put back the terracotta pot inside the cylinder.  
5.  Under a faucet, run a gentle flow of tap water inside the cylinder until it overflows. Allow this for a few seconds until water is clearer and free from debris. 
6. Wipe excess water off the glass and reinstall back the lamp.
7. Contact The Indoor Wetlands if you have any questions or clarifications regarding the care and maintenance of the terracotta aquascape in cylinder creation.

You may also refer to the VIDEO GUIDE: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TERRACOTTA AQUASCAPE IN CYLINDER below for water change only step-by-step demonstration.  

 CARE TIPS: 

• Always keep the water level almost near the glass rim. Evaporation can occur in the course of the week, just top it off with regular tap water when necessary. 
• Switch on the light for 6 hours daily only. You may consider purchasing a light timer so it can automatically switch on and off according to schedule even if you are away. 
• if you are going away for a several days, weeks, or even months, slightly cover the top of the cylinder (but not fully) glass with a piece of cling wrap, or clear plastic with clear tape. By covering the top a bit, you help slow down the evaporation process of the water in the cylinder. Make sure you do a quick water change before you go away.