The aF4 works great in freshwater aquariums. The setup process is the same as a saltwater installation, with two simple adjustments — temperature setting and dilution water. This guide covers everything you need to know to get the best results from y

<p id="isPasted">The aF4 works great in freshwater aquariums. The setup process is the same as a saltwater installation, with two simple adjustments &#x2014; temperature setting and dilution water. This guide covers everything you need to know to get the best results from your aF4 in a freshwater setup.</p><hr><h2 id="is-the-af4-compatible-with-freshwater">Is the aF4 compatible with freshwater?</h2><p>Yes &#x2014; fully. The aF4 works with any freshwater aquarium setup regardless of species or tank type. Whether you&apos;re keeping tropical community fish, discus, African cichlids, coldwater species, freshwater invertebrates, or a planted tank, the aF4 will work for you.</p><p>The hardware, tubing, pump, and solenoid system are identical regardless of whether you&apos;re running saltwater or freshwater. The only differences are how you dilute your food and which temperature setting you use.</p><hr><h2 id="the-two-adjustments-for-freshwater">The two adjustments for freshwater</h2><h3 id="1-use-ro-water-for-dilution">1. Use RO water for dilution</h3><p>In a saltwater setup, food is diluted with high salinity saltwater. In a freshwater setup, use <strong>RO (reverse osmosis) water</strong> instead.</p><p>Do not use tap water directly &#x2014; tap water contains chlorine and chloramines that can affect food quality and may introduce unwanted chemicals into your aquarium. RO water is clean, neutral, and the best choice for freshwater dilution.</p><p>If you do not have access to RO water, dechlorinated tap water can be used as an alternative &#x2014; treat it with a standard dechlorinator before use.</p><h3 id="2-use-temperature-setting-2-or-higher">2. Use temperature setting 2 or higher</h3><p>Freshwater has a higher freezing point than saltwater. This means the slurry is more likely to freeze solid at the colder temperature settings, which can block the intake tube and prevent food from dispensing.</p><p>We recommend starting on <strong>setting 2</strong> for freshwater setups. This keeps food well within the safe cold storage range while avoiding the freezing issues that can occur at the snowflake setting when using freshwater dilution.</p><p>If you experience frozen food in the reservoir at setting 2, move up to setting 3.</p><p>For full temperature guidance see our <a href="#">Temperature Settings Guide</a>.</p><hr><h2 id="compatible-foods-for-freshwater">Compatible foods for freshwater</h2><p>The following foods work reliably in the aF4 for freshwater setups:</p><ul><li><strong>Mysis shrimp</strong> &#x2014; excellent all-round food, works well for most freshwater species</li><li><strong>Brine shrimp</strong> &#x2014; highly reliable, widely accepted by freshwater fish</li><li><strong>Bloodworms</strong> &#x2014; a favourite for many freshwater species, flows well when properly diluted</li><li><strong>Daphnia</strong> &#x2014; small particle size means excellent flow and very consistent dispensing</li></ul><p>For a full list of compatible foods and preparation guidance see our <a href="#">Compatible Foods &amp; Brands Guide</a>.</p><hr><h2 id="freshness-duration-in-freshwater">Freshness duration in freshwater</h2><p>Because RO water has different preservation properties than high salinity saltwater, food freshness duration is shorter in a freshwater setup. We recommend a refill cycle of <strong>5&#x2013;9 days</strong> when using RO water dilution rather than the longer durations achievable with saltwater.</p><p>For more detail see our <a href="#">Food Freshness &amp; Storage Duration Guide</a>.</p><hr><h2 id="setting-up-for-freshwater--quick-checklist">Setting up for freshwater &#x2014; quick checklist</h2><ul><li><input disabled type="checkbox"> Install and position the aF4 as normal &#x2014; see <a href="#">Placement &amp; Orientation Guide</a></li><li><input disabled type="checkbox">&#xA0;Complete the pre-use rinse using tap water or RO water</li><li><input disabled type="checkbox">&#xA0;Set temperature to setting 2 or higher</li><li><input disabled type="checkbox">&#xA0;Dilute food with RO water before loading</li><li><input disabled type="checkbox">&#xA0;Run a test feed before directing output into the aquarium</li><li><input disabled type="checkbox">&#xA0;Plan for a 5&#x2013;9 day refill cycle</li></ul><hr><h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently asked questions</h2><p><strong>Can I use tap water instead of RO water?</strong><br>Dechlorinated tap water can be used if RO water is not available. Treat it with a standard dechlorinator before use. However RO water is preferred as it is the cleanest option and least likely to affect food quality.</p><p><strong>Will the saltwater residue from the factory affect my freshwater tank</strong><br>No &#x2014; the pre-use rinse performed before first use clears the unit thoroughly. By the time you run your first feed cycle the system will contain only the water you have introduced.</p><p><strong>Can I switch between freshwater and saltwater use?</strong><br>Yes, though we recommend running a full Auto-Clean cycle and thorough rinse when switching between freshwater and saltwater setups to avoid cross-contamination.</p><hr><h2 id="related-articles">Related articles</h2><ul><li><a href="#">Temperature Settings Guide</a> &#x2014; detailed guidance on all 5 temperature settings</li><li><a href="#">Compatible Foods &amp; Brands Guide</a> &#x2014; food types and brands that work best</li><li><a href="#">Slurry Dilution Guide</a> &#x2014; correct dilution technique for freshwater</li><li><a href="#">Food Freshness &amp; Storage Duration Guide</a> &#x2014; how long food stays fresh in a freshwater setup</li></ul><hr><p><em>Questions about using the aF4 in freshwater? <a href="#">Submit a support ticket</a> and our team will help.</em></p>

Freshwater Compatibility Overview

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Using the aF4 in a freshwater aquarium? Learn which settings to adjust, how to dilute food without saltwater, and how to get the best results from your aF4 in a freshwater setup.

Freshwater Setup

The aF4 works great in freshwater aquariums with a few simple adjustments. Find everything you need to know about running your aF4 in a freshwater setup, including temperature settings and dilution guidance.

Product Guides (DELETE)

Quick Start Guide (Video)

What's in the Box / Unboxing

Pre-Use Rinse

Placement and Orientation

How the Self-Cleaning System Works

Getting Started

Auto-Clean & Deep Cleaning Guide

Maintenance Schedule Overview

Tubing Replacement Guide

Fan & Cooling System Guide

Replacement Parts Guide

Maintenance

How the aF4 Keeps Food Fresh — RSW Technology

Compatible Foods and Brands

Food Freshness & Storage Duration

Loading the Reservoir(Quick/Max)

Sheet Food & Large Particle Food Preparation

Tips, Tricks & Additives

Food preparation

Setting the Feed Schedule

Setting the Feed Quantity & Feed Now Function

Temperature Settings

Indicator Lights & Sounds — Complete Reference Guide

Programming your aF4

Blinking Temperature LEDs — What They Mean

Solenoid Failure — Symptoms and Resolutions

Over-Temperature Fault — Remedies & Prevention(Flashing LEDs)

Power Issues — Troubleshooting Guide

Food Not Dispensing — Troubleshooting Guide

My aF4 Appears to Be Leaking

Troubleshooting

Warranty Policy

Returns Policy

Policies and Support

Neptune Apex Integration Guide

Coralvue Hydros Integration Guide

GHL 0-10v Setup Guide

inD Connect Setup Guide

inD Connect Smart Home Integrations(Alexa/Siri/Google Home)

inD Connect

Integrations

How much food does the aF4 hold?

How long can the aF4 keep food fresh?

Is it compatible with smart controller "X"? Neptune Apex, GHL Profilux, Coralvue Hydros...

Is it WiFi compatible? Do you have an APP?

How much power does it consume to operate?

I have a screen top on my aquarium, what size hole do I need to cut in it to accommodate the feeding tubes?

What are the temperatures for each setting on the aF4?

Techweave Sleeve Installation Video

aF4 Shelf

aF4 Accessories