FAQ's

Frequently Aquatic Questions
For those Cobalt Aquatics questions that are asked so often, we've put them all here in one spot for you! 
How do I submit a warranty claim?

Simply click on the green support button that is in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Fill out all of the information in the pop up and click on submit! We will get back to you as quickly as we can. There are a few things that we will need to process a replacement and will notify you of what you need. We may need to have the warranty unit sent back to us for inspection. If so we will provide the customer with a RMA# to link it back to the ticket they submit. However, it is the customer's responsibility to cover the shipping of the unit to our facility. Please allow 1-2 weeks for us to test units fully.

What can I do if my MJ pump has slowed down or stopped working?

The MJ pump line is nearly indestructible when used properly. However, over time deposits can build up around the impeller or the shaft. As such, we usually recommend cleaning the pumps and impellers every 3-6 months depending on their usage. Soaking the pump and impeller in a white vinegar and water solution for an hour or so will help breakdown calcium buildup in and around the pump. A good scrubbing with a toothbrush or sponge will have it looking and working like new.

Not sure how to take it apart or clean it? No worries, we have a step by step video that will walk you through it!

How do I wash my Aqua Sponge Mat?

The Aqua Sponge Mats are machine washable and can be put in on most cycles. For drying though, they will need to be hung up and allowed to air dry. They should not be put into a dryer at any setting as it may damage the water proof bottom.

How can I position my Cobalt heater in my tank?

Cobalt Aquatic's heaters are designed to be fully submersible. As such they can be placed vertically, horizontally, or at a slant to fit your aquarium needs. However, we do not recommend placing it in an sump area with a return pump or anywhere water levels fluctuate. A stable water level and good water circulation are key.

Can I use a Neo-Therm or Neo-Glass heater with an Apex (or other) controller?

Yes, you can! However. the Neo-Therm’s onboard controller will normally keep the temperature with the same or better level of accuracy on its own. When using these heaters with a controller, there are some guidelines you should follow: 

1) With Apex brand controllers, Neo-Therms must be plugged into slot 4 or slot 8 to prevent interference. 

2) We recommend setting the heater at your desired temperature, and your controller to shut off 2 to 4 degrees higher. This lets the Neo-Therm do the driving, while the controller stands ready as a failsafe cut-off. We do this because the controller controls the heater by shutting off its power – this is like unplugging it and plugging it back it repeatedly. These power surges can stress or damage the Neo-Therm’s internal electronics, which prefers to remain powered. If the controller powers off your Neo-Therm for an extended period, this could cause the heater to forget your setting and revert to its factory setting of 78 degrees.

3) Unless the Apex probe and the heater are in the same place, some difference in readings is normal and expected. Especially if the heater is in the sump or overflow and the probe is in the display area. There may be a 1 to 4 degree difference in observed readings. Larger systems have their own internal "weather", with cool and warm spots and currents.

What Flake food do I feed to my __________ fish?

That is the question that everyone wants to know the answer to! We formulate even our specialty foods with a community tank in mind, so we include balanced nutrition in every formula we make.

Tropical and Color foods are ideal for mixed freshwater communities. Cichlid, Discus and Goldfish foods are made with the specific needs of those fish in mind (our discus food is also great for angelfish). Pro Breeder is ideal for skinny fish, stressed or recovering fish, promoting rapid growth in young fish, and conditioning fish to spawn. Brine Shrimp and Mysis foods are our tastiest foods, recommended for reluctant eaters and as a special treat for everyone.

Spirulina is perfect for tropheus, mbuna, mollies, tangs, and other fish that like a high vegetable content. It’s also a lower waste food, good in crowded or less than ideal conditions, since spirulina has higher uptake efficiency than meat proteins.

Along with our Marine Omni and Marine Vegi foods, our Mysis, Mysis Spirulina and Pro Breeder are popular with marine hobbyists.

Any Cobalt food with a picture of a marine fish on the label has all the ingredients needed to support marine fish. All fish like variety and will be happier with different foods fed in rotation. Visit your local store to try Cobalt Ultra Pellets, too!

We also have a comprehensive feeding chart that can help you choose what foods may be the best for you.

What size heater should I get for my tank?

With the exception of the Mini-Therm, all of our heaters are designed to have an 11 degree temperature variance from room temp. This is fancy talk that means an appropriately sized heater will be able to heat an aquarium up to 11 degrees above whatever the temperature of the room it is in. As such, depending on what you like to keep your house temp at (65 degrees or 78 degrees) you may want to scale up or down. We do have a fancy chart on all of our heater pages that have the size ratings. Of course if you are still not sure, feel free to submit a ticket by clicking on the support button on the bottom right of the screen to get in touch with one of our customer service staff.

What if I have a question that is not here?

In that case, all you need to do is click on the support button in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Fill in the info in the popup, ask your question, and click on submit! We will get back to you with an answer as quickly as we can.