FAQ's
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BUY FISH FROM A CEFAS CERTIFIED SUPPLIER?
THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AS ONLY ACCREDITED IMPORTERS ARE AWARDED CEFAS CERTIFICATES FOR IMPORT OF GARRA RUFA FOR MEDICAL AND SPA USE – WE CAN PROUDLY BOAST THIS CERTIFICATE AND WE HAVE A LARGE HOLDING AND QUARANTINING FACILITY AT OUR BASE WHERE WE REST AND TREAT THE FISH PRIOR TO DELIVERY TO YOU. CAN OTHER SUPPLIERS BOAST THIS?????
THE BENEFITS OF USING OUR PRODUCTS INSTEAD OF CHEAPER SUBSTITUTES?
OUR SYSTEMS AND LIVESTOCK ARE BOURNE FROM RESULTS OF 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AQUATIC INDUSTRY; HENCE OUR SYSTEMS ARE TOP QUALITY DESIGN, USING THE BEST MATERIALS AVAILABLE GIVING YOU YEARS OF TROUBLE FREE PERFORMANCE WITH AN AFTER SALES SERVICE TO MATCH. THE CHEMICALS AND FOOD ETC WE USE AND SUPPLY ARE A COLLECTION OF THE BEST AND PROVEN CHEMICALS AND TREATMENTS AVAILABLE... WE USE THESE ON OUR OWN FISH... ENOUGH SAID.
WHY IS GLASS BETTER THAN ACRYLIC?
ACRYLIC TANKS SCRATCH VERY EASILY AND WILL CLOUD AND DISCOLOUR VERY QUICKLY, THIS INTURN CAN HARBOUR BAD BACTERIA WHICH CAN BECOME A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE, UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO BUFF THE SCRATCHES OUT EVERY WEEK WHICH WILL BE VERY COSTLY OUR GLASS TANKS ARE TOUGHENED WITH POLISHED & BEVELLED EDGES – TOUGH AND DURABLE.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR FILTRATION?
AS WE KNOW THAT THESE FISH DONT ACTUALLY EAT THE SKIN BUT JUST NIBBLE IT OFF AND LEAVE IT IN THE WATER, THIS MEANS THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS IS QUITE HIGH AND A SPECIFIC FILTRATION SYSTEM IS REQUIRED, THROUGH 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AQUATIC INDUSTY WE HAVE DEVELOPED OUR OWN FILTRATION SYSTEM WHICH IS WHY WE ARE EUROPES LEADING MANUFACTURER. THERE ARE NO UNSIGHTLY PIPES, HEATER ETC ENCROACHING IN THE TANK BUT IT IS ALL HIDDEN IN THE BACK OF THE TANKS THEMSELVES IN A STRONG, NEAT BOX – THE “UVR8”.
HOW DO I KNOW ITS A REAL GARRA RUFA FISH?
DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THESE FISH THE PRICES HAVE ROCKETED, THIS LEADS SOME SUPPLIERS TO USE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS TILAPIA FOR EXAMPLE AND TRY AND PASS THEM OFF AS GENUINE GARRA RUFA FISH BASED ON THE HOPE THAT THE CUSTOMER WONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE, CHECK OUR PICTURES IN OUR GALLERY AND LOOK AT OUR FISH VERY CAREFULLY...THEN “GOOGLE IMAGES” GARRA RUFA FISH AND YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENT FISH, THE MOST POPULAR PHOTO BEING THE CLOSE UP OF THE RED PAINTED TOE NAILS WITH NON-GENUINE FISH – BE ASSURED –WE ONLY SUPPLY GENUINE GARRA RUFA.
HOW MANY FISH DO I NEED AND HOW BIG ARE THEY?
WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN USING THE LARGER FISH AVAILABLE TO US....SMALLER STOCK IS SIMPLY WEAK AND PRONE TO DISEASE AND SERIOUS BACTERIA INFECTIONS (NOT CONTAGEOUS TO HUMANS BUT NEVER THE LESS OFTEN FATAL TO THE FISH THEMSELVES)
FOR OUR TANKS, 65 IS THE OPTIMUM STOCKING DENSITY PER SINGLE TANK.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE I CAN USE IT?
ALTHOUGH WE BRING MATURE WATER AND BIOLOGICAL FILTER MEDIA, TRANSPORTING THE FISH UPSETS THEM A LITTLE AND ONCE YOUR TANK IS SET UP THE FISH WILL JUMP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS UNTIL THEY SETTLE DOWN. THEREFORE IT IS BEST TO START USING THE SYSTEM TWO DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION.
ARE THE FISH FROM TURKEY?
NO THE FISH ARE NOT FROM TURKEY BUT THE TURKISH IMPORT THEM FROM THE FAR EAST (SINGAPORE AND MALYSIA) JUST LIKE WE DO FOR OUR SPA’S.
WHEN SHOULD I FEED MY FISH?
FEEDING YOUR FISH SHOULD ONLY BE DONE AT NIGHT BEFORE YOU LEAVE, THIS KEEPS THE FISH ACTIVE DURING YOUR WORKING DAY – WE HAVE EVEN RESEARCHED THE BEST FOOD FOR GARRA RUFA AND ALTHOUGH THE RECIPE IS A CLOSE GUARDED SECRET, WE CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE NOT SOLELY ALGAE EATING FISH SO OUR FOOD CONTAINS AMONGST OTHER INGREDIENTS HIGH LEVELS OF QUALITY CRUSTACEA WHICH THE GARRAS THRIVE ON.
WILL THE FISH BREED IN MY TANK?
THEY ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO BREED IN THE TANK, AS THEY REQUIRE SPECIAL WATER CONDITIONS TO ENABLE THE BREEDING PROCESS AND THIS CAN'T BE RE-CREATED IN YOUR TANK.
WHAT DO I DO INCASE OF A POWER CUT?
THE FISH RELY HEAVILY ON OXYGEN IN THE WATER WHICH IS NORMALLY PRODUCED BY A PUMP IN THE BACK OF THE TANK, SIMPLY TAKE YOUR BUCKET, FILL IT WITH WATER FROM THE TANK AND EMPTY SLOWLY FROM A HEIGHT, THIS WILL “STIR” THE WATER AND PUT OXYGEN IN THE WATER, FOR HEAT JUST SIMPLY FILL A POP BOTTLE WITH HOT WATER AND PLACE IN THE TANK TO ACT LIKE A HOT WATER BOTTLE.
IS IT GOING TO BE BANNED?
THE LATEST STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HPA (HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY) WAS ON 10TH MARCH STATING:-
THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY (HPA) AND HEALTH PROTECTION SCOTLAND ARE CURRENTLY UNAWARE OF ANY CASES OF INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF FISH SPA PEDICURES IN THE UK.
“BASED ON THEORETICAL EVIDENCE AND EXPERT OPINION, THE HPA DEEMS THE RISK OF CATCHING AN INFECTION FROM A GARRA RUFA FISH FOOT SPA TO BE VERY SMALL. HOWEVER, FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES TO THE HPA FROM LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS, THE HPA LABORATORY ARE CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE MOST UP TO DATE EVIDENCE AND WILL PUBLISH PRACTICAL ADVICE TO HELP BOTH SALONS AND THE PUBLIC TO MINIMISE ANY POSSIBLE RISK IN DUE COURSE”
WHY ARE OUR CABINETS BETTER THAN FIBREGLASS?
FIBREGLASS IS PRONE TO SCRATCHING AND CHIPPING. OUR CABINETS COME IN A VAST RANGE OF COLOURS AND EFFECTS eg. WOOD GRAIN, BRUSHED METAL, SOLID COLOURS i.e. CREAM, AND BLACK ETC. CONSTRUCTED FROM COATED 19MM MDF BOARD WITH TOUGH WATERPROOF 2mm PVC MACHINED EDGING. THEY ARE LONG LASTING GOOD LOOKING PRACTICAL CABINETS AND EACH ONE COMES WITH A MATCHING TANK BASE PLINTH TO FINISH OFF THE LOOK PROPERLY.
WHY DOES MY SPONGE NEED CLEANING EVERYDAY?
THIS IS TO REMOVE DEAD SKIN PARTICLES AND SOLID FISH WASTE BUILT UP DURING THE DAY, DAILY CLEANING ENSURES TIP TOP WATER CLARITY.
WHY DOES MY pH KEEP DROPPING?
THIS IS DUE TO A LOW KH (CARBONATE HARDNESS OR “SOFT WATER”) AND IS EASILY RAISED WITH OUR KH/pH PLUS, THIS WILL THEN INTURN STABILISE YOUR pH.
CAN I NOT JUST USE A CANISTER FILTER?
THE SIMPLE ANSWER TO THIS IS NO! DEFFINATELY NOT, IT WASN’T DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS AND CANNOT BE CLEANED EASILY OR ADEQUATELY LEAVING YOU OPEN FOR HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES FOR BOTH CUSTOMERS AND FISH, CANISTER FILTERS RELY HEAVILY ON GRAVITY FROM THE TANK WHICH MUST BE HIGHER THAN THE FILTER AND SINCE THEY ARE BOTH ON THE FLOOR MEANS THAT THEY WILL BE PRONE TO AIR LOCKS AND CAN STOP WORKING.
DO THE FISH EAT THE SKIN?
NO, THE FISH NIBBLE OFF THE DEAD SKIN – EXPERT OPINION INDICATES THAT THEY ARE SCAVANGING FOR FOOD AS THEY WOULD DO IN THE WILD RIVERS OF MALAYSIA (NOT TURKEY AS SOME WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE!)– ONLY INSTEAD OF GRAZING OVER ROCK, THEIR NEW ROCKS ARE YOUR FEET.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CHANGE THE UV?
OVER TIME THE UV RAYS EMITTED FROM THE TUBE DIMINISH ALONG WITH THEIR EFFECTIVNESS SO THEY SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS, NEW UNITS ARE AVAILABLE DIRECT FROM OURSELVES.
DO I STILL NEED TO FEED THEM?
YES, BECAUSE THEY DONT EAT THE SKIN (SEE NO. 9 AND 17)
WHY DONT THE FISH ATTRACT TO CERTAIN PEOPLE?
THE FISH WILL ONLY PULL OFF DEAD AND HARD SKIN, IF SOMEONE HAS SOFT FEET ALREADY THEY MIGHT NOT BE ATTRACTED TO THEM OR THE CUSTOMER MAY STILL HAVE MOISTURISER etc. ON THEIR FEET.
IS IT SAFE FOR CHILDREN AND ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS?
YES IT IS SAFE FOR CHILDREN... THERE AREN’T ANY AGE LIMITS BUT SUPERVISION IS A MUST FOR YOUNG CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPING HAZARD SHOULD THEY STAND UP IN THE TANK.
DO THEY HAVE TEETH?
NO THEY DONT HAVE TEETH, JUST LITTLE RASPING MOUTHS.
WHY IS WATER HARDNESS IMPORTANT?
DEPENDING ON WATER HARDNESS WILL DEPEND ON YOUR pH LEVEL BEING STABLE, IF YOUR WATER IS SOFT THIS CAN CAUSE YOUR pH TO “CRASH” AND MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF FISH. (SEE NO.15)
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN OUR CABINETS TAKE?
OUR CABINETS ARE RATED AT 40ST.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD THEY BE KEPT AT?
THE TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE BETWEEN 24-32˚C AS THEY ARE A TROPICAL FISH AND ARE QUITE TOLLERENT TO VARIOUS TEMPERATURES ALTHOUGH BELOW 24˚C HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR.
DO THE SYSTEMS NEED PLUMBING IN?
NO, OUR SYSTEMS ARE A STAND ALONE UNIT AND JUST REQUIRE A PLUG SOCKET BEHIND EACH UNIT.
WHAT DO I NEED TO RUN OUR SYSTEM?
YOU NEED A SPECIFIC SPACE FOR OUR UNIT TO FIT, PLEASE REFER TO OUR SPECIFICATIONS PAGE FOR THE DIMENSIONS.
WHO MUCH WILL IT COST ME TO RUN IT?
GENERALLY SPEAKING IT WILL COST YOU AROUND £40-£50 PER MONTH IN CHEMICALS AND FOOD, THEY REQUIRE VERY LITTLE POWER OF APPROX THE EQUIVALENT TO A 40W LIGHT BULB.
MY TANK HAS GONE CLOUDY?
IF THIS IS THE CASE, CHECK IF THE FISH HAVE BEEN OVER FED AND ACT ACCORDINGLY – ALSO ADD THE APPROPRIATE QUANTITY OF “AQUARIA CLEAR” SUPPLIED IN OUR CARE KIT AND THIS SHOULD HELP CLEAR YOUR TANK IN NO TIME.
WHY HAS MY WATER FLOW SLOWED DOWN?
THE ONLY REASON FOR THE WATER FLOW TO SLOW DOWN IS DUE TO INADEQUATE CLEANING REGIMES OR THE PUMP/PIPE HAS BLOCKED, SIMPLY TURN IT OFF AND STRIP THE PUMP DOWN GIVING IT A GOOD CLEAN.
WHY DOES MY WATER LOOK YELLOW AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?
THE USUAL REASON FOR YELLOWING WATER IS LACK OF WATER CHANGES. THESE SHOULD BE DONE AS SMALL PARTIAL CHANGES..... DAILY !!!
IF I ORDER FISH, HOW WILL THEY COME AND WHAT DO I DO?
SHOULD YOU EVER NEED TO ORDER SOME MORE FISH, THE LAST DAY FOR DELIVERY IN THE WEEK IS A THURSDAY AS FISH WONT BE DELIVERED OVER THE WEEKEND, WHEN THEY TURN UP (WHICH IS USUALLY THE DAY AFTER) ONE OF THE BOXES WILL HAVE FULL INSTRUCTIONS INSIDE.
CAN I PUT SAND IN THE TANK OR PEBBLES VINYL UNDER THE TANK?
NO, SOME CUSTOMERS MIGHT NEED VINYL PEBBLES UNDER THEIR TANKS IN ORDER TO HIDE THE FISH MUCK AND SKIN THAT OTHER COMPETITORS SYSTEMS LEAVE BEHIND, SAND INSIDE THE TANK JUST SIMPLY HINDERS THE CLEANING PROCESS AND WILL ALSO SCRATCH THE GLASS BASE IF STOOD ON – ALSO VINYL PEDDLES UNDER THE TANK CAMOFLAGES THE FISH WHICH MEANS YOUR CUSTOMERS CAN’T SEE THEM!
WHAT DO I DO IF A FISH DIES?
FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY YOU MUST NET OUT ANY DEAD FISH AND PLACE IN A SANDWICH BAG OR SIMILAR, AND INCINERATE IT (A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A WOOD BURNING STOVE AT HOME).
CAN MY FISH DEVELOP ILLNESSES, WHAT IS WHITE SPOT?
LIKE ALL LIVING CREATURES; FISH ARE SUSEPTABLE TO A RANGE OF DISEASES. THE MOST COMMON BEING WHITE SPOT WHICH IS A LATENT CYCLIC WATER BOURNE PARACITE WHICH IS CONSTANTLY PRESENT. WHEN FISH BECOME STRESSED EITHER BY TRANSPORTATION OR/AND POOR WATER CONDITIONS, WHITE SPOT TENDS TO DEVELOP. THE FISH WE SUPPLY UNDERGO A FULL WHITESPOT TREATMENT AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE WHILST AT OUR FACILITY AND THEN AGAIN UPON INSTALLATION OF YOUR SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD ELIMINATE ANY RISK OF INFECTION, HOWEVER CLOSE SCRUTINY OF YOUR FISH IS REQUIRED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO ENSURE REINFECTION DOES NOT OCCUR.
HOW MANY CUSTOMERS CAN MY SYSTEMS HANDLE PER DAY?
WE ESTIMATE APPROX 30 CUSTOMERS PER DAY PER SEAT.
WHY DO MY FISH SIT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK?
ONCE SETTLED, GARRA RUFA DO NOT NESSESSARILY SWIM MID WATER.. LYING ON THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TIME IS NATURAL TO THEM.
