The Fintro is designed to reduce stress when introducing new fish to your aquarium.

It very slowly mixes the water that the fish have travelled home in with water from your aquarium; this helps to ensure there is no sudden shock due to a change in temperature, pH or levels of Nitrate.

You should, of course, check there are no readings of Nitrite or Ammonia before adding any new livestock to your aquarium!

This stress reduction is very important for all fish species such as Barbs, Tetras, Livebearers and Rasbora, and essential for delicate species such as Loaches, Shrimps and Dwarf Cichlids that are particularly susceptible to changes in water quality.

Maidenhead Aquatics are committed to supplying good quality, healthy fish for your home aquarium with animal welfare at the top of our priorities, and we believe that the Fintro is the latest product to enhance the quality of fish care.

Marine Aquariums

The Fintro is particularly well suited for use in marine aquariums where its slow rate of water introduction protects against osmotic shock, caused by differing salt levels along with all the reasons above. Different Salt levels will also affect all invertebrates such as Shrimps, Urchins, Starfish and Corals; please always check this using a Hydrometer before introducing them to your aquarium.

Established Aquariums

The Fintro is designed to reduce stress when introducing any new fish or invertebrates to your aquarium. Following the instructions on how to use the Fintro correctly will help, but we would also recommend that you check your aquarium water regularly for Ammonia, Nitrite, pH and a build up of any Nitrate using the relevant test kits purchased from your local branch of Maidenhead Aquatics. If you do discover problems with your water quality then please ask the store for advice on what to do.

New Aquariums

When stocking a new aquarium the temptation is often there to purchase all the desired fish for the tank right away. To avoid ‘new tank syndrome’ a good plan is to only get a small number of hardy fish to begin with.

It can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for the new aquarium to get a healthy biological filter established, during this time the number of fish added should be carefully monitored (and remember your filter is ever only mature to the number of fish you have in your aquarium at that time!). Using aquarium water test kits (available at your local Maidenhead Aquatics), we would recommend monitoring the Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH levels, adding no more fish until the Ammonia and Nitrite levels are reading zero and the Nitrates are below 50ppm. The pH value should always remain stable at the desired level.

To avoid a build up of waste products in the new aquarium you should add a biological supplement such as ‘Nutrafin Cycle’ or a similar product on a weekly basis.

Using the Fintro

• Before removing the plastic bag containing your new fish from any other bags or boxes please turn off any lighting in your aquarium. This should remain switched off for at least 1 hour after introducing the new fish. Dim the lights in the room where the aquarium is situated. Severe stress and trauma can result from sudden exposure to bright light.

• Rinse the Fintro under a running tap to remove any dust or dirt, also checking that the very small hole in the centre of the drain is not obstructed.

• Float the Fintro in your aquarium.

• Remove the plastic bag containing your fish from any packaging used to transport them home.

• Cut the top of the bag and carefully transfer the fish and enough water so that there is approximately 1cm of water above the lower chamber of the Fintro. If there is too much water in the Fintro, simply lift it above the aquarium surface and any excess will drain back into your aquarium via the one-way drain. Likewise if there is not enough water in the Fintro slowly add some aquarium water into the device until you have the correct level for the Fintro to operate properly (1cm above the lower chamber of the device).

• The Fintro’s unique valve only permits a very slow trickle of water to gradually fill it, giving time for your new fish to adjust to the aquarium water conditions. Do not push the Fintro down in the aquarium to affect the rate of water flow unless required to initially start the mixing process.

• Where possible try to cover the aquarium while the Fintro is in action to protect against the new fish jumping from the Fintro prematurely.

• Once the Fintro is full, the fish can be released or the Fintro may just sink to the bottom depending on the currents within your aquarium (this can take anything up to 30-40 minutes).

• After a further hour it is safe to turn your aquarium lights back on if desired.

• Avoid feeding the aquarium on the day of purchasing any new fish as you do not want to put a further strain on the aquarium filter. This will allow the bacteria in the filter to multiply to cope with the extra fish you have just added.

Recommended Sizes

We recommend that each Fintro be used to introduce no more than 12 cm in total length of fish at any one time, with the maximum size for an individual fish being approximately 5cm.

Multiple Fintro units should be used if introducing larger quantities of fish to large aquaria

This will allow sufficient space for the fish while the Fintro mixes the water. Please check on the Fintro as the fish are being introduced, releasing them early if they appear to be in distress.