Modern technology has made its way into the world of aquarism, transforming fish maintenance from a complex hobby into a convenient element of a smart home. Xiaomi’s smart aquarium (often called Mi Fish Tank or JOR’s aquarium) is a complex ecosystem that requires proper initial preparation before launch. Many users make the mistake of starting immediately with decor installation, forgetting the critical procedure of initial sensor calibration and tightness checks.
Unlike classical glass containers, integrated electronics control the entire life cycle, from filtration to light scenarios. Before filling the tank with water, you need to make sure the integrity of the housing and the correct installation of the heating element. Incorrect assembly at the initial stage can lead to leaks or failure of expensive electronic control modules.
The preparation process takes time and requires attention to the details specified in the manufacturer's specification. Silicone seals must be clean and fit tightly to the glass walls. Only after careful visual inspection of all the connections can you start filling with water, which is the first step to creating the perfect habitat for your pets.
⚠️ Warning: Never turn on electrical components (lights, pumps, heating) until they are fully submerged in water.
Unpacking and primary assembly of the structure
Once delivered, carefully remove all components from the package. The glass tank is usually supplied separately from the lid with integrated electronics. Carefully inspect the glass for chips or cracks that may have formed during transportation. Even microscopic damage to the angle can be fatal under water pressure.
The next step is to install a filtration system. In Xiaomi models, it is often built into the bottom or back wall, but requires the cartridges to be positioned correctly. Make sure that all hoses are securely locked in their slots and have no clamps. The water circulation must be unobstructed, otherwise the biological load on the system will increase many times.
- 📦 Check the completeness: cover, glass, filter elements, net, feed.
- 🔍 Examine the glass for microcracks in bright light.
- 🔌 Make sure the power cable has no visible insulation damage.
- 🧼 Wipe the interior walls with dry soft cloth from industrial dust.
Pay special attention to the lid of the aquarium, where it is located LED-The panel and the Wi-Fi module must be installed only after the aquarium is installed on a flat, stable surface, and even a few millimeters of distortion can lead to uneven distribution of load on the walls.
☑️ Primary assembly
Water filling and leakage testing
To fill, use only secluded water or water that has passed through a reverse osmosis system. Tap water contains chlorine and heavy metals that can damage the biobalance and electronic water quality sensors. Pour water slowly so as not to create excessive pressure on the bottom and not to raise dust unless you have previously rinsed the soil.
After filling the tank to the level specified in the instructions (usually a MAX line on the inner wall), leave the aquarium for 30-60 minutes without the electronics on. This is the time necessary for the leakage test. Carefully examine all corners and joints for drops or spots.
| Parameter | The Importance for Xiaomi Tank | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water volume | Up to 20-30 L (depending on model) | Do not overflow above the MAX mark |
| Temperature. | 20-25 °C | Optimal for tropical fish |
| Rigidity | 4-15 dGH | Medium stiffness |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 | Neutral environment |
If you find a leak, drain the water immediately and go to a service center. Self-repairing glass seams in Xiaomi smart aquariums often leads to a loss of warranty. Once convinced of dryness, you can switch to power.
What if the water is muddy immediately after the bay?
Connection to the Mi Home app
The main control of the device is through the Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Home).Be sure that Bluetooth and geolocation are enabled on your smartphone before connecting, as the device search protocol often uses these services for initial pairing.Push the reset or turn on button on the aquarium lid, the indicator should start flashing.
In the app, click Add Device and select your aquarium from the list. The Wi-Fi module setup process can take some time. It is important that the smartphone and aquarium are on the same 2.4 GHz network, as 5 GHz support is often lacking in Xiaomi's budget IoT devices.
Once successfully connected, you will be asked to set the device name and select a room, which will allow you to control the aquarium voice through assistants like Alice or Siri (via HomeKit, if the gateway is configured), and at this stage, the primary timing for light scenarios takes place.
Set up light scenarios and timers
The light in a smart aquarium is not just a light bulb, but a complex tool for regulating fish biorhythms and plant growth. The app provides spectral analysis that allows you to choose between day, sunset, night or full-color glow. Properly adjusting the photoperiod prevents algae from growing.
Use the automatic switch on on schedule. For example, set a smooth light on at 9:00 in the morning and turn off at 21:00. Sharp lighting spikes are stressful for the inhabitants, so the dawn mode (smooth brightness) is preferred.
- 🌞 Daytime: maximum brightness, cold white spectrum for photosynthesis.
- 🌇 Sunset: decrease in brightness to 30%, shifting the spectrum to warm orange.
- 🌙 Nightlight: dim blue glow (moon imitation) for nocturnal fish activity.
- 🌈 RGB: entertainment mode, it is not recommended to keep on for a long time.
For aquariums with live plants, it is critical to keep the daylight hours to 8-10 hours, exceeding this limit will lead to an outbreak of algae that is difficult to fight in a closed system of a smart aquarium.
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Set a "vacation" script in the app if you're leaving, and it optimizes the pump and lights to reduce the system load and water evaporation while you're away.
Calibration of the filtration and feeding system
Xiaomi’s aquarium filtration system often has several modes of operation: quiet, standard and enhanced. For initial launch, it is recommended to set the circulation to maximum to quickly clear the water of suspensions. After a few days, when the biobalance is established, you can switch to a quiet mode.
The automatic feeder requires a separate setup. Load the appropriate sized dry food (usually 1-2 mm granules) into the compartment. In the app, set the time and number of portions. The dosing mechanism works on the time of rotation of the valve, so it is important to use only the recommended types of feed.
⚠️ Warning: Do not fill the feeding compartment with food that sticks together from moisture (such as some types of flakes) and this can block the mechanism and lead to overfeeding or engine failure.
Check the condition of the filter elements regularly. The application may not have an accurate filter pollution sensor, so focus on water pressure and visual purity. If the jet becomes weak, the filter requires washing or replacing.
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The biological balance in a smart aquarium is established in 2-3 weeks, during which time do not overload the system with fish and monitor the water parameters with tests.
Maintenance and replacement of consumables
The durability of the device depends on timely replacement of consumables. Filters, sponges and coal cartridges have limited resources. The Mi Home app often has a day counter that reminds you of the need for maintenance.
When cleaning the aquarium, use only soft sponges. Abrasive materials can scratch acrylic or glass surfaces, and damage the coating of the sensors. Pay special attention to cleaning the water level sensor, which is often located at the top of the housing.
For disinfection, use special aquarium remedies or a weak solution of vinegar, thoroughly washing it afterward. Chlorine-containing household chemicals are strictly prohibited, as its vapors can damage the electronic control board located in the lid.