I just have one small disagreement with the above instructions by JCO, I don't pour the water from the 'bag' into the tank .... it's a good way to transfer diseases and 'critters' that don't belong there ....... I stick a net into the bag, net them out, and carefully drop them into the tank without the net getting into the water ....... I know it may stress them a bit, but I figure better a little stress, than a lot of diseases or 'critters' ..... it ain't perfect, but I think I have less chance of transferring 'critters' or diseases than if I were to pour the water into the tank ........ just my 2 centavos .......