Maintenance Tips
Aquarium maintenance is an essential regular activity that will keep your
aquarium and its inhabitants healthy. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule
will ensure that your tank keeps looking it's best. Water changes will remove
buildups of harmful substances. Always make sure that you add a dechlorinator/chloramine
remover when you do water changes. Try to keep the water temperature as close
as possible to the temperature of the water already in the aquarium.
The following maintenance schedule is a suggested list only and you can modify
it as needed to suit your own schedule.
Maintenance Tips:
1. Never change more than 40% of aquarium water at a time.
2. Never empty the entire aquarium to clean it. This will cause your
tank to go through the cycle all over again and will stress your fish.
3. Only change half of your filter media at a time, to retain the established
biological balance. If you do want to clean the filter media out (e.g. sponge),
use a bucket and some tank water to rinse out the sponge in. Do not rinse
out the media in the tank itself.
4. NEVER use soap or any detergent on your aquarium or any products
used in or around your aquarium.
5. Be careful cleaning the glass on the inside, gravel will scratch it if
you happen to pick some up.
Daily
Check your tank every day. Look for sick or injured fish.
Verify temperature and confirm that all support equipment is functioning
correctly (filters, heaters, lighting, etc.).
Remove any dead fish, plants, or obvious debris (such as plant leaves attached
to intake strainer of filter).
Weekly
Perform a water change, 25 to 30 percent is recommended. Use a gravel cleaner
to remove waste from the gravel.
Clean inner and outer glass surfaces. This will eliminate any algae accumulation
and ensure full viewing pleasure. If you don't mind algae, just clean the
front glass for your viewing pleasure.
Test water. This is important particularly for reef and planted aquariums.
Monthly
Perform filter maintenance (clean moving parts, such as the impeller). Replace
filter media (e.g. carbon, etc.) as needed.
Check supplies, food, water conditioners and all other regularly used items.
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I recommend the use of a log book. This will help ensure you know exactly
what is going on with your aquarium. It will also help you know when fish
have spawned for you if you need to write articles for your aquarium club.
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