Read this before acting on anything you find here. It matters more on a site about equipment than on most.
General information only
Everything on TankMend is general information about aquarium equipment. It is not a substitute for the manufacturer documentation supplied with your specific model, and it is not professional advice for your particular situation.
Equipment differs between models, revisions, and regions. A procedure that is correct for one canister filter can be wrong for another that looks nearly identical.
Electrical safety
Aquarium equipment puts mains electricity next to water. Always unplug equipment before servicing it. Use a residual current device (RCD or GFCI) on aquarium circuits. Fit a drip loop on every cable. If you are not confident, stop and call a qualified electrician.
Never open a sealed mains powered unit such as a heater or a submersible pump motor housing. Those units are sealed for a reason and are not user serviceable.
Livestock risk
Equipment faults kill fish. Heater failures, CO2 overdosing, and pump failures can all wipe out a tank quickly. Where a guide describes adjusting something that affects water chemistry or temperature, follow the stated ramp rates and watch your livestock.
You are responsible for the animals in your care. If in doubt, make the smaller change and wait.
Accuracy and currency
We take accuracy seriously and cite sources where a claim needs support. Even so, prices change, models are discontinued, and specifications are revised. A figure that was right when a guide was published may not be right today.
Guides carry a publish date and a modified date. Check both. If you find something wrong, tell us and it gets corrected.
No affiliation with manufacturers
TankMend is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to any aquarium equipment manufacturer or retailer.
Product and brand names mentioned in guides are the trademarks of their respective owners and are used purely for identification and description. We do not use manufacturer logos, marketing images, or brand assets.
External links
We link to manufacturer documentation, university extension services, and similar sources. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their content or accuracy.
Limitation
By using this site you accept that TankMend is not liable for any loss or damage, including damage to equipment, loss of livestock, or property damage, arising from your use of the information here. See our terms and conditions.