Aquarium start Aquarium maintenance Plant care Fish diseases

Professional products for your aquarium

A SAFE START FOR A NEW AQUARIUM WITH THE COLOMBO START SET In a new filter bacteria needs to develop before the purifying effect will take place. During the start-up problems often occur caused by raised ammonia and/or nitrite values. Fish produces ammonia, bacteria in the filter convert ammonia through nitrite into nitrate. In the graph shown right, you can see how ammonia and nitrite levels can develop during the start-up phase. Values above the yellow line are dangerous to fish. During the start-up phase, the excess ammonia and later nitrite, must be removed by making regular water changes.

Value

The Ammonia Alert indicates when there is a need for water changes.

5,0 4,5 4,0 3,5 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5

Ammonia (NH3/4)

10

15

20

Nitrite (NO2)

25

30

35

Days

Circle colours blue, change 75% of the water and add Supersafe.

The ammonia alert constantly displays the ammonia level in the water and indicates when a water change needs to be made.

Circle colours green, change 50% of the water and add Supersafe.

Colombo aquarium start system The start-up of a new aquarium will take app. 4 weeks. 1. 2. 3. The start set contains Supersafe 100 ml, bactuur Gel 100 ml, the Ammonia Alert and a complete manual. Sufficient to start tanks up to 50 litres.

Fill the aquarium with water, add Supersafe and apply Bactuur Gel to the filter sponge or media. Install the Ammonia Alert. After livestock has been added to the aquarium, a weekly water change of 20% needs to be made, add Supersafe after every water change. If the circle in the indicator turns green, change immediately 50% of the water and add Supersafe. If the circle in the indicator turns blue, change immediately 75% of the water and add Supersafe.

After app. 14 days the ammonia levels will no longer rise, the circle in the ammonia alert remains yellow (safe). The nitrite level can still become too high, in order to keep the nitrite level low, for the first fortnight do a weekly water change of 20% and add Supersafe. After the start-up, follow the Colombo maintenance system to keep your aquarium clean and healthy.

Fancy Fit In cold-water aquaria, replace Supersafe for Fancy Fit, this product is especially developed for use in coldwater tanks with (fancy) goldfish.

Tip: When the bottle Bactuur Gel contains more gel then needed, add the remainder to the water in 5 days to further enhance bacteria growth. Attention: When making water changes in a tropical aquarium, ensure the fresh water is warmed up to the temperature of the aquarium water before it is added.

EASY MAINTENANCE WITH THE COLOMBO MAINTENANCE SYSTEM Colombo aquarium maintenance system Maintaining a good water quality is essential for a healthy aquarium. With the Colombo maintenance system taking care for your aquarium is made easy. Change every fortnight 20% of the water and add Colombo Supersafe according to the instructions of the bottle. Supersafe detoxifies the water, removes chlorine and protects fish. Making water changes will result in changes of the water composition which can cause health issues to the fish. The use of Supersafe helps to prevent these problems and makes tap water suitable for your fish. Use Colombo Liquid filter in the week when no water change is made. Liquid Filter purifies the aquarium water, ammonia and heavy metals are being absorbed, the clarity improves, fish will feel well and their colours will be more vibrant. Test the water every month and correct values when needed. Tip: Use Colombo bactuur when you clean the filter or replaces the sponge or filter cartridge.

Test your water every fortnight Prevent problems; test your water every fortnight. A water test is done quick and easy with the Colombo Quicktest. The Colombo Aquatest dripping test are the product of choice for very accurate measurements.

pH

6,5 - 7,5

Reduce a high pH value with Colombo pH min Increase a low pH value with Colombo KH+

KH

6-8˚ DH

Increase KH-value with Colombo KH+

GH

8-12˚ DH

Increase GH-value with Colombo GH+

Ammonia* ≤ 0,5 mg/l Nitriet

≤ 0,5 mg/l

Nitraat

≤ 50 mg/l

Fosfaat*

≤ 1 mg/l

Change water when Ammonia levels are too high and use Colombo liquid filter. Change water when Nitrite levels are too high and use Colombo Supersafe. Change water when Nitrate levels are too high and use Colombo Supersafe. Change water when Phosphate levels are too high and use Colombo Supersafe.

* These parameters cannot be tested with the Colombo Quicktest, use the specific Aquatests instead.

Bactuur®

GH+ / KH+ / pH-

Fast, safe and effective Living bacteria for filter maintesolution to increase GH or nance and decomposition of KH-value. Use Colombo sludge. Use Bactuur frequently to pH-min to reduce the pH. optimise filter function. The Heterotrophic Bacteria added to Bactuur remove organic waste AMMONIA and sludge from the bottom of ofessionele producten voor uw aquarium your tank and in your filter.

Nutrients

Light

Plants absorb nutrients in two different ways; through the leaves and through the roots. The use of a special base caters for the essential nutrition absorbed through the roots while a liquid fertiliser can provide nutrients, which are absorbed through the leaves of the plant.

Plant growth

Li

g ht

CHOOSE YOUR BASE Nutri Base is a plant base rich on nutrients with a high organic nutritional value for the root of the plants. To obtain this Colombo has selected premium grade peat. The product is not polluted and is free from heavy metals. For the essential nutrients such as minerals and trace elements high-grade clay is added which will provide nutrients to the roots for a long period of time. The two ingredients are mixed with gravel and a highly porous substrate so that both water and roots have access to the nutrients in the base.

Best tested product in PFK product survey!

Nutri Base can also be used in combination with Flora-Base. In this case first apply a layer of Nutri-Base and cover this with a layer of Flora-Base.

Flora Base is especially suited for use in planted aquaria. Aquarium plants need nutrients, which can be absorbed through the roots. Flora-Base is made from baked lava, which is well known for it’s great nourishing capacities for plants. Flora-base is a truly unique substrate, it reduces and stabilises the pH to a value around 6.0. This way the natural amount of CO2 in the water is much higher and greatly benefits the plants.

100% 90% 80% 70%

CO2 Absorption

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 5 5,5 6 6,5 7 7,5 8

CO2

1

STEP

Plant growth

Nu

2

n trie ts

For optimal plant growth 3 factors needs to be in balance: Light, nutrition and CO2. The element least available in this triangle will limit the plant growth and creates possibilities for algae growth. By using special lamps for aquarium plants you can easily provide the light conditions needed for aquarium plants. The Colombo Flora-Grow range offers a range of products, which provides a LOWEST ELEMENT solution for the other 2 elements essential for healthy plant growth, nutrition LIMITS PLANT GROWTH and CO2.

CO

FOR A LUXURIANT PLANT GROWTH IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS HERE YOU LEARN HOW

A pH of 6.0 is harmless for fish, shrimps or other aquatic pH-waarde life because the pH is stable. For aquarium plants this is ideal, because of the increased presence of CO2 they can benefit from all the light and nutrients available. A low CO2 level is in 90% of the cases responsible for disappointing plant development. This, together with the wealth of nutrients, which are absorbed better due to the higher CO2 levels, will result in unbelievable plant development and growth.

2

STEP

CHOOSE YOUR CO2 SYSTEM The Nano 50 CO2 system is a perfect solution for adding CO2 for aquaria up tot 50 litres. The system has a disposable cylinder with 16 grams CO2, a transparent container can be placed in the aquarium. Fill the container every morning with CO2 gas from the cylinder, during the day the CO2 gas will be absorbed, raising the CO2 levels in the water. The system is compact, trouble free and easy to use.

The CO2 indicator continuously indicates the CO2 level of the water. Blue = too low CO2 level Green = optimal CO2 level Yellow = too high CO2 level

The Nano 50 CO2 system is a perfect solution for adding CO2 for aquaria up tot 150 litres. The system has a disposable cylinder with 95 grams CO2 a pressure regulator with finetuning, 3-in-1 Diffusor and all accessories needed. The CO2 indicator to monitor the CO2 level at all times is also included. A precise flow can be adjusted easily; hence the system offers a reliable solution for adding CO2 for optimal plant growth.

3

STEP

CHOOSE YOUR PLANT FERTILISER

Flora-Grow liquid is a complete liquid fertiliser absorbed by the leafs for all aquarium plants. It contains all the trace elements and minerals in a well-balanced composition. The Iron is organically bound so that the plants will easily absorb it. Flora-Grow liquid contains no Nitrates or Phosphates; these are produced by the filter and released from fish food waste. The bottle has a dispenser for convenient dosage.

Flora-Grow FE-tabs supply Iron to the roots of the plants. Specific plants rely almost completely on the intake of Iron through the roots. By pressing the FE-Tabs in the bottom your base will be enriched with Iron, which can be absorbed, by the roots of your plants.

Flora-Grow Carbo is a liquid replacement for CO2. By adding Flora-Grow Carbo to the water on a daily basis, the shortage of CO2 in aquaria without CO2 system can be compensated. As a side effect, the use of Flora-Grow Carbo will reduce the growth of algae.

Flora-Grow Nutri Caps contain all essential nutrients needed by aquarium plants. Some plants cannot absorb sufficient nutrients through their leafs, it is hence important that sufficient nutrients are available in your plant base. Nutri caps rely on the Osmocote system which, ensures a long lasting, regulated supply of nutrients for an optimal plant growth.

CERPOFOR FISH DISEASE DIAGNOSIS SHEET

Professional medication for aquarium fish

CERPOFOR AQUABOLINE® Aquaboline is effective against invisible parasites that produce a grey film on fish, such as Ichthyobodo, Chilodinella, and Trichodina.

Cryptobia

Chilodonella

Trichodina T Tric i Ichthyobodo/ Costia

Invisible parasites

Grey skin

CERPOFOR CYTOFEX ® Cytofex is effective against bacterial infections such as fin rot, gill rot, mouth fungus, dropsy and skin ulcers. Fin rot

CERPOFOR DACTYCID® Dactycid is effective against internal and external worms such as nematodes, skin flukes (Gyrodactylus) and gill flukes (Dactylogyrus).

Dropsy

Infected skin

Anchor worms

Internal worms

White spot

Fungus

Dactylogyrus (Gill worm)

Gyrodactylus (Skin worm)

Flukes

CERPOFOR FEMSEE® Femsee is effective against White spot (Ichthyophthirius) and fungus (Saprolegnia). white spot can be recognised from the small white spots on the head and body of the fish, Fungus looks like white or green tufts similar to cotton wool.

CERPOFOR FLAGELLEX® Flagellex is effective against flagellates. The symptoms include clear excrement that remains attached to the anus, reduced appetite, and holes in the head or even the body of the fish. Hole disease

Colombo BV

NL 3257LB-11 The Netherlands. www.colombo.nl

Clear excrements

Based on 30 years experience in fish medication! Used and recommended by fish farms and trade