Xiaomi’s smart aquariums are not just a fish tank, but a full-fledged ecosystem with automatic control of water parameters, LED-But even this high-tech device requires proper assembly to avoid leaks, equipment breakdowns or loss of life. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step build process on the example of popular models Xiaomi Mi Smart Fish Tank and Mijia Aquarium, draw attention to typical errors and give recommendations for optimizing the work.
It's important to understand that the Xiaomi aquarium assembly differs from its classic counterparts by having electronic components (sensors, control unit, Wi-Fi module). This means that in addition to waterproofing and installing the filter, you will have to configure the software part - connect to the application, update the firmware and synchronize with other smart home devices. If you have never dealt with aquaristics, do not worry: the instruction is adapted for beginners, with explanations of each step.
1. Preparation: what is included in the kit and what to buy
Before assembly, check the equipment of your Xiaomi aquarium. Standard kit includes:
- 📦 Main tank (volume depends on model: 10, 20 or 30 liters)
- 💡 LED-power-block
- 🔄 Built-in filter with pump and sponge
- 🌡️ Water temperature sensor (in some models – pH and turbidity)
- 📱 Control unit with Wi-Fi module
- 🔌 Power cables and adapters
- 📄 Instructions in Chinese (often without Russian translation)
However, for a full launch, additional accessories will be required, which are not always included:
- 🪨 Soil (small quartz sand or special aquarium substrate)
- 🌿 Living or artificial plants
- 🐟 Fish and snails (selected under the volume of the aquarium)
- 🧪 Water tests (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates)
- 💧 Water conditioning (removes chlorine)
- 🔧 Silicone sealant (in case of leakage)
Tip: if you buy a Mijia Aquarium Lite (10 liters), note that you can put no more than 3-4 small fish (for example, neons or guppies). For shrimp or snails, the volume can be increased to 5-6 individuals. Excessive water pollution will lead to rapid stress in the inhabitants.
2. Selection of place: where to install an aquarium
The wrong location of the aquarium is one of the main reasons for its breakdown.
| Parameter | Recommendations | What happens if you ignore it? |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth surface | The table or table should withstand the weight of the aquarium (1 liter of water). = 1 kg + Weight of equipment. Use the level. | The skew will lead to cracks in the glass or detachment of the sealant. |
| Proximity of sockets | Distance to the socket is not more than 1.5 m. Use network filters with moisture protection. | Extension cords on the floor - the risk of short circuit during leakage. |
| Lighting | Avoid direct sunlight (leads to water blooms). LED-aquarium lighting is sufficient. | Green algae will cover the glass in 1-2 weeks. |
| Temperature in the room | Optimum 20-25°C. Do not place near batteries or air conditioners. | Sudden temperature changes are stressful for fish and equipment. |
The feature of Xiaomi smart aquariums: the control unit should be in a dry place with good ventilation. Do not place it inside the cabinet or in a closed cabinet - this will lead to overheating of electronics. The optimal distance from the aquarium to the block is 30-50 cm.
⚠️ Attention: if you install an aquarium on a wooden stand, put a rubber mat 5-10 mm thick under it. This will prevent slipping and protect the furniture from moisture.
3. Assembly of the aquarium: step-by-step instructions
Now, to the most important stage, assembly, follow the instructions in strict order.
Set the tank on a flat surface and check the level|
Connect the control unit to the socket (do not include!)|Lay the soil with a layer of 3-5 cm and level|
Install a filter and connect it to the pump|
Put water on 2/3 volume and check for leakage|
Connect temperature and turbidity sensors|
Set up LED-lighting through the Mi Home app-->
Step 1: Install the tank. Place the aquarium in the selected location and check its position with a level. Even a slight skew (1-2 mm) can lead to uneven load on the glass. In Xiaomi Mi Smart Fish Tank models, the bottom frame has rubber pads - make sure they are not displaced.
Step 2: Connect the electronics. Connect the control unit to the pump, filter and sensors. Important: don't turn on the power until full assembly! Otherwise, the sensors may fail when in contact with water.
Step 3: Soil laying: Use washed quartz sand or a special aquarium substrate. 3-5 cm Layer For uniform distribution, tilt the aquarium at an angle of 10-15° And gently spread the soil, starting at the far corner, and don't tram it too hard, it'll disrupt the water circulation.
Step 4: Install the filter. It comes with a sponge filter with a pump. Install it in the corner of the aquarium, making sure that the intake hole is 2-3 cm above the ground level. This will prevent sand clogging. Connect the filter to the control unit through the Pump Connector connector.
Step. 5. Pour water. Pour water with temperature. 22–24°C on 2/3 Use the water that is not clear (minimum) 24 After pouring, check all joints for leaks. If you find moisture, drain the water and repeat the assembly, paying attention to leakiness.
Step 6: Sensors are connected. The temperature sensor is attached to the suction cup to the inside of the aquarium. In models with a turbidity sensor (Mijia Aquarium Pro), it is installed next to the filter. Connect the sensors to the control unit through the Temp Sensor and Turbidity Sensor ports.
Step 7: Adjust the backlight. LED-And you attach it to the top of the aquarium, and you plug it into the block through the port. LED Controller: The color and intensity of the light is adjusted through the Mi Home app (Section Lighting).
What to do if the aquarium leaks?
4. Connect to the Mi Home app and set up
After the mechanical assembly, you need to configure the software part.
- Download the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
- Create an account or sign in to an existing one.
- Press. + → Add Device → Aquarium.
- Choose your model (Mi Smart Fish Tank or Mijia Aquarium).
- Connect the control unit to Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz networks only!).
- Wait for the sensors to synchronize (it can take up to 5 minutes).
The following functions will be available to you in the application:
- 📊 Monitoring parameters: temperature, turbidity, water level (in pro-versions).
- 💡 Illumination control: color selection, brightness, on/off timers.
- 🔄 Filter control: adjusting pump power, cleaning reminders.
- 🔔 Alerts: Notifications of critical changes (e.g. water overheating).
- 🤖 Automation: Integration with other Xiaomi devices (e.g., turning on backlights when driving in a room).
Important: After the first connection, update the firmware of the aquarium through Settings → Firmware Update. This will fix any bugs in the sensors. If the update freezes, reboot the control unit (Reset button on the back panel).
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If the temperature sensor shows incorrect values, calibrate it manually. To do this, place it in a glass of water at room temperature (measure with a thermometer) and enter the correction in the application settings.
5 First Start: How to Avoid Mistakes
Don't rush to fill the aquarium with fish immediately after assembly!
⚠️ Note: if you pour tap water without settling, chlorine and heavy metals can kill the beneficial bacteria in the filter. Use Tetra AquaSafe air conditioner or analogues - they neutralize harmful impurities in 5 minutes.
Step 1: Nitrogen cycle (2-4 weeks) This is the process of forming a colony of nitrifying bacteria that convert ammonia (fish poison) into harmless nitrates to speed up the cycle:
- 🧪 Add the starting bacteria to the water (Tetra SafeStart, Sera Nitrivec).
- 🍃 Place several live plants in the aquarium (for example, cornflop or Javanese moss).
- 🐟 Add a little fish feed (it will start to decompose, triggering the cycle).
Step 2: Water testing. Test the water for ammonia every 3-4 days (NH₃), nitrite (NO₂) nitrates (NO₃) test-driven (API Freshwater Master Test Kit - Normal performance for fish launch:
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: < 20 ppm
- pH: 6.5–7.5
Step 3: First residents, start with the hardiest fish.
- 🐟 Guppy – unpretentious, quickly adapt.
- 🐟 Danio Rerio - active, resistant to changes in parameters.
- 🦐 Amano shrimp - help fight algae.
Start the fish gradually, 1-2 individuals first, a week later, the same number. Watch your behavior: if the fish are kept near the surface or breathing heavily, there is a high level of ammonia in the water.
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Do not add fish to the aquarium until the tests show 0 ppm of ammonia and nitrites. Even a short stay in "immature" water leads to chronic diseases and shortens the life of fish.
6.Service of Xiaomi’s Smart Aquarium
Smart aquariums require less maintenance than classic aquariums, but they are not completely autonomous.
| Procedure | Frequency | How do you do it? |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning the filter | 1 time 2 weeks | Rinse the filter sponge in the drained aquarium water (not under the tap!) Replace the charcoal filler once a month. |
| Water substitution | 1 time per week | Replace 20 to 30 percent water. Use the same temperature of the water. |
| Cleaning the glass | 1 time 2 weeks | Use a scraper or a magnetic brush. Don't use household chemicals! |
| Sensor calibration | 1 time per month | Compare sensor readings with mechanical thermometers and tests. |
| Update of the PO | As we leave. | Check for updates in the Mi Home app. |
Features of Xiaomi service:
- 🔋 The control unit does not require a permanent connection to the network, but when the power is cut, the sensors reset the calibration.
- 🌐 If the aquarium is disconnected from Wi-Fi, reboot the block (Reset button) and connect again.
- 💡 LED-It's got 20,000 hours of backlighting, and if the diodes start flickering, call the service.
Warning: do not use soap, alcohol or abrasives to clean the aquarium. Even their traces can kill fish. Use special means (Tetra GlassCleaner) or vinegar solution (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water) to remove lime plaque from the glass.
Typical problems and their solution
Even with the right assembly, there can be problems.
Problem 1: The temperature sensor is showing the wrong values.
- 🔹 Check the density of the sensor to the glass (full contact must be available).
- 🔹 Calibrate the sensor manually through the application (Settings section) → Calibration).
- 🔹 If the sensor is damaged, replace it (Article for Mijia Aquarium: DJT11LM).
Problem 2: The filter is too noisy.
- 🔹 Check if the filter sponge is clogged (wash it down).
- 🔹 Make sure the pump does not touch the walls of the aquarium (should be a gap of 1-2 cm).
- 🔹 Lubricate the pump shaft with silicone lubricant (e.g. Hobby Silicone Grease).
Problem 3: The Mi Home app doesn't find an aquarium.
- 🔹 Reboot the control unit (reset button for 5 seconds).
- 🔹 Make sure your router is running at 2.4GHz (5GHz not supported).
- 🔹 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
- 🔹 If nothing helps, remove the device from the app and add it again.
Problem 4: The water gets muddy quickly.
- 🔹 This is normal in the first 2-3 days after launch (bacterial flare-up).
- 🔹 If the turbidity does not go away for more than a week, check the filter and reduce feeding.
- 🔹 Add a carbon filter or zeolite to the water to absorb the suspension.
Problem 5: Fish die for no apparent reason.
- 🔹 Urgently check the water for ammonia and nitrites (test strips or drip tests).
- 🔹 Make sure the water temperature is stable (22-26).°C for tropical fish).
- 🔹 Check if the aquarium receives direct sunlight (leads to overheating).
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If Xiaomi aquarium has stopped responding to commands from the app, try resetting it to factory settings. To do this, press and hold the Reset button on the control unit for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing red.
8.Integration with Xiaomi Smart Home
One of the key benefits of Xiaomi’s aquarium is its ability to automate itself through the Mi Home ecosystem, and here are some useful scenarios:
Scenario 1: Automatic lighting.
- 🔹 Open Mi Home → Automation → Add.
- 🔹 Select the trigger: Time (for example, 8:00 and 20:00).
- 🔹 Action: Aquarium → Light → On/Off.
- 🔹 Save the script.
Scenario 2: Critical temperature alert.
- 🔹 In Automation, select the trigger: Device Status → Aquarium → Temperature > 28°C.
- 🔹 Action: Send Notification (notification on the phone).
- 🔹 Additionally, you can connect a smart socket that will turn off the heater.
Scenario 3: Synchronization with the weather.
- 🔹 Connect the aquarium to the Mi Weather Sensor.
- 🔹 Set up a rule: if the temperature in the room drops below 18°C, the aquarium heater is switched on.
Scenario 4: Voice control.
- 🔹 Connect the aquarium to Xiaomi AI Speaker or Google Assistant.
- 🔹 Now you can say, "Alice, turn on the blue light in the aquarium".
For advanced users: You can configure more complex automations through Home Assistant or Node-RED, for example, changing the color of the backlight depending on the time of day or sending photos of the aquarium to email once a day (you will need a Xiaomi Mi Home Camera camera).