Regular aquarium maintenance is essential for the health and wellness of your fish. Without it, your fish could suffer from a variety of health problems and even death. Fortunately, with the right equipment and regular maintenance, you can create a healthy environment for your fish.
Do aquariums require a lot of maintenance?
The amount of maintenance required depends upon the type and size of tank, the number of fish, and their individual needs. Basic maintenance can include regular water changes, cleaning the filter, trimming any overgrown plants, and checking on the fish regularly. Check for algae buildup and clean regularly or as needed. Be sure to check the water parameters to ensure you have healthy fish.
What equipment will I need for aquarium maintenance?
The equipment you’ll need for aquarium care depend on the type of tank and inhabitants you have. Generally, it’s best to install a quality filter and use a water testing kit. You may also want to invest in a gravel vacuum cleaner, algae scraper, and other cleaning tools.
Weekly aquarium maintenance
Each week, you should perform basic maintenance on your tank. This includes:
- To clean the inside of your aquarium glass. Use a magnetic aquarium glass cleaner. If the outside needs cleaning, use RO water and a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive cloths or chemical products.
- Regularly top up the water level to replace any evaporation, and treat new water with Bioactive Tapsafe before adding it to the aquarium.
- If you have live plants, feed them with a specialist aquarium plant food.
- Clean the LED lights, use RO water or water from the aquarium and a soft cloth, and turn them off for a few minutes before cleaning.
Monthly aquarium maintenance
To ensure the health of your aquarium inhabitants, it’s important to test the water levels for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Specific test kits make this task easy.
- Perform a 25% water change using a gravel cleaner to clean the substrate by following the steps outlined in ‘Doing a water change‘ and then use Bioactive Tapsafe.
- Replace your filter cartridge or clean the filter foams in a bucket of aquarium water every 28 days (once a month). Add a dose of Fast Filter Start to promote the growth of filter bacteria.
- If you have live plants in your aquarium, give them some attention by trimming back excess growth and removing dead leaves.
Every Three Months aquarium maintenance
You should give your entire filtration system a good clean once every three months in aquarium water. Start by syphoning a small amount of aquarium water into a bucket, then turning off the power and removing the filter from the aquarium into the bucket. Then unclip the intake cage and rinse, making sure to remove any dead leaves or large pieces of dirt that may be trapped in the intake grills.
Reinstall the cleaned filter into the aquarium, once it’s running, it’s time to do some general maintenance. Start by cleaning the walls of the aquarium with an algae scraper, and remove any dirt or debris from the gravel. Then do a large water change: replace 40-50% of the water with fresh, clean water that has been treated with Bioactive Tapsafe at the correct water temperature for your fish species.
How often should I change the water in my aquarium?
The frequency of aquarium water changes depends on the size and type of tank, as well as the number and types of inhabitants. A 20% water change should be done at least once every 28 days (once a month) as well as replacing the filter cartridge. Always use Bioactive Tapsafe when using tap water. Check the filter regularly to make sure it’s working properly.
How to test aquarium water
Testing aquarium water is an important part of maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. Fortunately, it’s a relatively easy process that can be done with the right tools and equipment. For more information, check out ‘Testing your aquarium water‘.
First, you will need to purchase an aquarium water test kit. This kit typically includes test strips or liquid reagents that measure the pH level and levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the water. It’s also worth learning about the nitrate level, so that you can tell if it is too high or too low.
Once you have your test kit, you simply need to follow the instructions included to accurately measure the water parameters in your aquarium. If any of the levels are outside the ideal range for your fish, you will then need to adjust them accordingly.
How often should I test aquarium water?
Ideally, test the water once a month to make sure that all levels are within their optimal range. This includes testing for pH, nitrite, ammonia, and nitrate levels. If any of these levels appear out of range, take steps to rectify it immediately. If you notice any changes in your fish’s behaviour or colour, it’s always a good idea to take a water sample and test it.