Mardel ® is a full line of Aquatic Medications, Water Test Kits and Water Conditioners. Mardel offers the aquatic enthusiast safe, effective and easy-to-use products that perform and are marine biologist approved.

Innovative products that make use of exclusive BioSpheres™ technology, which attaches active ingredients directly to fish or plants increasing the product's effectiveness, are just one of the recent additions to the Mardel family.

Now Mardel, through its revolutionary and extensive research, has taken water quality monitoring to the next generation with LiveMeter® continuous monitoring systems. By combining test strip technology with a patent pending membrane, LiveMeter® takes a giant step forward for consumers in convenience and ease-of-use.

Mardel is a trusted brand of aquarists, and an industry leader for more than 30 years.

What are the most effective products for setting up a new aquarium?
Water quality is the most important factor when setting up an aquarium and a dechlorinator, ammonia remover and heavy metal complexing water conditioner (Marplex®) is a good start. You will also need to use a bacterial starter culture (A.C.T.®) to get the biological filter working. A good water testing kit (Master Test Kit) will allow you to know what conditions are in the aquarium and if they are safe for the fish.

Can I use more than one Mardel water treatment at a time? Will they interfere with each other?
More than one water treatment can be used at a time; however, always read the detailed directions as some treatments will interfere with others.

What does cloudy water indicate, and how can I treat it?
Cloudy water, one sign of pollution, is due to the presence of suspended particles, organic (living) and inorganic (minerals), that are too small for normal filtration to remove. The most common cause of cloudiness in new aquariums results from improper washing of gravel. After a period of two to three days, the tank begins to cloud due to the fine particles suspended in the water. Another cause of cloudy water is a bacterial bloom brought on by the presence of too many nutrients in the water. Brite N' Clear® clears the tank by attracting insoluble particles and suspended solids together to form much larger particles that can be trapped by filters.

Will water treatments color the aquarium water?
Certain water treatments that make use of dyes to treat disease will color the water. Most water treatments for water quality, however, will have no effect on water color.

How often should I test my aquarium?
Aquarium water should be tested at least once a week and both before and after water changes to ensure proper water quality maintenance.

Can't I regularly use a water treatment rather than running a lot of tests?
It is possible to have changes occur in the aquarium that a water treatment would not deal with or masks. Without testing, these changes would not be noticed and a potentially fatal situation could develop for the fish.

My fish don't look or act right. How do I know which treatment to use?
The Mardel fish disease guide contained in all Mardel medications can help with diagnosis of disease. It is also useful to have a good reference book at home to consult should fish start behaving strangely. The internet and local fish stores are also a good source of information on diagnosing what is wrong with your fish.

Will the carbon in my tank filter minimize the actions of the aquatic treatment?
Fresh activated carbon will remove the aquatic treatment. If the carbon is over 5 days old, its effect on the treatment will be minimal.

Will Mardel products harm my aquarium plants?
Some Mardel medications can harm plants. CopperSafe® should not be used in the presence of live plants.

Will the water treatments and medications irritate my skin?
YES, most of the water treatments and medications are in a concentrated form before use and in this state can irritate the skin. Once the product has been diluted in the aquarium water there is very little likelihood of irritation.

Can I use Mardel water treatments and medications with those from another company?
YES. However, care should always be taken when mixing products from different manufacturers as some interactions do occur. It is generally safer to stick to products from one manufacturer if a lot of chemicals are to be used.

I have a planted aquarium and fish with ick, what medications should I use?
Treat the ick with Maracide® or Maracide Concentrate and add Maracyn® to prevent secondary infections from bacteria.

Tips
Using a timer for your aquarium lights guarantees that you won't forget to switch them on and off.

Many fish will jump out of uncovered aquariums. Always use a cover to prevent fish jumping out or if the tank is uncovered, do not fill the aquarium with water to the top.

Changing 20% of the aquarium's volume per week has significant benefits for fish health and growth.

Follow a regular monthly schedule of tank maintenance. Pay close attention to cleaning filters, glass, water changes and removing sludge-build up.

Designate equipment for aquarium use only to avoid accidental contamination of aquarium from other uses. Traces of chemicals from other uses may remain even after cleaning.

For easy identification and to improve home safety, place fish medications, water treatments and test kits in sealed labeled containers.

Water quality significantly affects the health of fish. Crystal clear water may not necessarily be of high quality. You can only be sure of your water quality by testing it as part of a regular maintenance program.

When making changes to the water chemistry in your aquarium, small and gradual is the rule. This gives your fish the chance to adjust to the changes you are making.

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