Some people don't want to set up aquariums because they think aquariums require too much attention. They picture endless tank cleaning, water on the floor, dead fish, complicated water testing, and lots of scrubbing. Most aquarists know this does not need to be reality. The larger a system is, the less an aquarist has to do. Establishing and maintaining a regular schedule for testing, feeding, and maintenance will increase enjoyment of any aquariums. A logical program follows that can serve as a checklist.

Every Time You Look at the Tank

Check the livestock every time you look at the tank. Are they behaving normally? Do they look healthy? This is the best way to judge the state of any aquarium.

Daily

Feeding time is a good opportunity for viewing animals because most of them will be active. Allow time to watch the fish. Feeding times should be scheduled depending on the types of fish to be fed. This could be daily, several times a day, or every other day for large carnivores.

Water temperature should be checked daily. Heaters can range from simple to sophisticated, but any device can fail, and water temperature is very easy to monitor. A quick glance will also be enough to make sure that pumps, power heads, and air pumps are working.

Protein skimmers, also called foam fractionators, should be checked daily and the collection cup emptied as necessary. A protein skimmer is an important tool for maintaining good water quality and its operation should be monitored carefully.

Weekly

Various aspects of water quality should be checked weekly. Specific gravity or salinity is one of the easiest to check and adjust. Some aquarists use deionized, reverse osmosis filtered, or even distilled water. For fish aquariums tap water is usually adequate. Filter components such as sponges, wet/dry media, trays, and spray bars should be checked and cleaned or replaced as necessary. Chemical filtrants have a useful life determined by several factors, including amount of animals and size of aquarium. I strongly encourage putting such filtrants in individual polyester bags, and not replacing them all at the same time.

After an aquarium has been established for a few months, testing is often ignored until problems arise. Weekly checks of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels should be performed. It is also a good idea to check pH and alkalinity. Low pH can inhibit biological filtration and lead to a high ammonia level. If the pH is dropping or the nitrate level is rising, some corrective action should be taken. Reduce or change the feeding schedule, add buffer, or increase frequency of water exchanges.

Some pump motors require periodic cleaning. Many water cooled pumps have a small tube that must be cleaned regularly for reliable operation. Ultraviolet sterilizers also should be inspected, although the lamps and sleeves may need cleaning only monthly.

Weekly maintenance is also a good time to clean the outside of the entire aquarium, including the top and light fixture, and the inside surface of the glass viewing panels.

Monthly

A water exchange should be done at least once a month. This would be a good time to vacuum part of the tank bottom, change the filter medium, rearrange decor, and perhaps move livestock. Replacement water should be pre-mixed, and of the same pH, salinity, and temperature as the water it replaces. Frequent partial are beneficial in so many ways, and also rather controversial, so I will devote and entire article to them alone. There is no more economical method to ensure adequate quality than frequent water exchanges.

Chemical supplements, additives, vitamins, minerals, and all other chemical additions should be used only as directed on a regular schedule. The best time to do them is in conjunction with water exchanges. I am concerned with the possible toxic effects of such additives over time. Adding them when these effects may be diluted by the water exchange seems to be a good idea.

Heaters should also be on the monthly schedule for checking for cracked glass and slat intrusion in the electrical components. Outlet strips should be mounted vertically or with the outlet facing down to prevent saltwater entry. The outlet strips and the wires should be wiped clean.

Update your aquarium log monthly with motes on growth and new acquisitions. Maybe there is room for one more organism.

Less Frequently

Fluorescent, ultraviolet, and even metal halide bulbs have effective lifetimes, even if they do not seem to have lower light output. These bulbs should be rotated or replaced as recommended by the manufacturer. Installation date can be noted in the aquarium log, or on each bulb with a grease pencil. Many ultraviolet and fluorescent bulbs are good for six months, but even this will very depending on use.

Other less frequent maintenance should include inspection of plumbing, fittings, and valves, as well as water and air tubing. Air valves should also receive attention.

Calcareous elements in an aquarium, such as coral skeletons, gravel, and base rock, contribute to pH buffering and biological filtration, the rate depending on surface area and solubility. Much of this potential is used up over time. Periodic additions of new material and replacement of some of the old will help maintain the alkalinity level and the beneficial effects of water exchanges.

Summary

A system of routine operation and maintenance is the hallmark of a conscientious, organized aquarist. An aquarium log should include notes on livestock additions and losses, behavioral observations, and system maintenance procedures. Formulate a schedule and stick to it. You and your livestock will appreciate the minimized time and improved health of the aquarium that come with a systematic approach to tank maintenance.

Recommended Reading

Campbell, Douglas. 1980. Marines: their care and keeping, parts 3 & 4.
Freshwater and Marine Aquarist, February & March.

Emmes, C. W. 1985. Aquaristics in perspective, part 4: setting up and maintenance.
Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, September.

Keith, Randy E. 1980. Long term maintenance of the marine aquarium.
Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, May.

Kipper, Horst E. 1986. The optimum marine aquarium; ten golden rules for keeping fishes and invertebrates.
Today's Aquarium, February & March.

Tullock, John H. 1992. Routine tank maintenance; this is the key to success with marine tanks.
Aquarium Fish Monthly, May.

Robert Fenner is the author of a well respected book entitled, "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist".

The above article was reprinted with permission from the Aquarium Systems publication, "Seascope",
Volume 15, Summer 1998.