Easy Freshwater Aquarium Maintenance
One of the ideas that hold many people back from starting up a fish tank is the mistaken belief that it will require constant upkeep and attention. The truth is that most freshwater aquarium maintenance issues are taken care of by proper set-up in the beginning. The rest of the upkeep, as you will see, is not too difficult.
There are definitely some maintenance procedures that need to be done to keep your aquarium running at its best. The key to making the job easier is simply to establish a schedule and make it a habit.
So what are the things that need to be done, how often will they need to be done, and how long will they take?
Aquarium maintenance to-do list:
- Water Change – This one is very important. As a general rule, change 15-25% of the water every 2 weeks. You do have a little flexibility on this one, but some tanks may require a bit more. For example, a well-stocked goldfish tank might be better off with a weekly change due to their higher waste output. The key is to set a routine and stick to it. Remember that when doing water changes be sure to condition (de-chlorinate) the water and get it to the right temperature before pouring it in. It would defeat the purpose if you gave the fish clean water that totally shocks them!
- Change/Clean the Filter – This should be done approximately every three weeks. It is overkill to do it sooner than that and if you wait too long, the filter becomes much less efficient. Thanks to evolution in filter design over the years, this process is often as simple as pulling out a cartridge and replacing it with a new one (very easy). Do not use any harsh chemicals to clean your filter, as they could harm the fish and also kill the beneficial bacteria that reside in the filter.
- “Vacuum” the Tank – What? Depending on how many and what type of fish you are keeping, it may become necessary to clean some of the excess food, feces, plant matter, etc. from the gravel in the bottom of your tank. There are many gravel vacuums available that are essentially a tube connected to a wide end that runs across the bottom. They use siphon action to suck up the gunk and this is a perfect way to get your water change out of the way, too. It is probably not necessary to do this step with every water change, but possibly every other one.
- Check Out Your Fish – This may seem like an obvious one since you’ll be looking at the fish daily, at the very least during feedings. But I’m talking about really giving them a close examination. Look for white spots, tattered fins, exceptionally thin or fat fish, erratic swimming, or anything else that doesn’t look quite right. If you do this on a regular basis you can discover and act on any problems before they become life threatening to your fish.
- Test Your Water – This is another one that falls under the preventative maintenance category that will keep any small problems from becoming big problems. If the pH, ammonia, or nitrate/nitrite levels are a little out of whack it won’t be a big deal to fix, and the only way to know this is to do a regular water test.
- Scrape Algae – Pretty simple: whenever it starts to build up, scrape it off. Again, this is easier if done regularly, before it grows into a thick carpet on the side of the tank. It is a good idea to do this before the water change because scraping will lead to some “floaties” that can be sucked up when siphoning out the water for the change.
- Plant Care – If you are keeping live plants in your aquarium they will need a bit of maintenance. Many plants will become uprooted and need to be re-anchored. Some of the fast growers need occasional trimming to keep them from overgrowing your tank, and many plants need a little bit of fertilizer to keep them healthy.
So that is about it. The list may look long, but if you really add it up, you are looking at 1-2 hours every two weeks to cover everything necessary to keep your aquarium in tip top shape. That is nothing compared to the constant enjoyment you get from a happy, healthy tank.
About the Author
Andrew Bartlett is an aquarium enthusiast who has been involved in the maintenance of freshwater aquariums for over 30 years. You can find more information by clicking over to his website at http://www.thefreshwateraquariumguide.com.
Aquarium Maintenance
|
|
BLUEiQ Miniature Ecosystem $79.00 BLUEiQ is a miniature ecosystem designed to be educational and beautiful. The first of two boxes includes standard components: 20-page educational Owner’s Guide, hand-blown glass container, tweezers, tying thread, thermometer, and magnifying glass. The second box (shipped free of charge), includes the livestock and substrate of your BLUEiQ: 5 dwarf shrimp, 2 snails, your choice of aquatic plant, a… |
|
|
PondCare 147D Ecofix Bacterial Pond Clarifier, 64-Ounce $28.33 Pond Ecofix contains unique, highly active strains of beneficial bacteria that make pond water clear and clean, breaks down dead algae, increases oxygen level in pond water and helps create a healthier ecosystem for pond fish. It also reduces pond maintenance and encourages a cleaner environment. The stable bacterial strains are safe for all pond life. Treats 16,000 gallons of water. Pond Ecofi… |
|
|
Hayward Pro Series Top-Mount Pool Sand Filter … |
|
|
Fluval Ceramic 88g-CO2 Diffuser – 3.1 Ounces $6.49 A7548 Fluval is a world leader in quality aquatic products. For over 30 years Fluval has earned the trust of fish hobbyists by delivering the highest quality, most innovative products in the industry today. All Fluval products are designed to deliver performance that exceeds the expectations of the first time aquatic consumer to the most advanced fish hobbyist. Fluval products include the world’s… |
|
|
Lee’s Ultimate Faucet Adapter, Plastic $2.66 Attaches directly to the faucet along with the gravel vac. Plastic… |
|
|
Marineland 31010 Silicone Caulker, 10-1/2-Ounce, 292-Gram $7.31 Perfecto’s aquarium sealant is made of 100% clear silicone rubber. It is perfect for fixing leaks, broken ornaments, and can actually be used in building small aquariums. The sealant stays flexible and will not crack or shrink. It is waterproof and harmless to both fresh and saltwater fish…. |
|
|
SALTWATER FISH AQUARIUM DVD! Set-up, Aquascape & Maintenance $12.25 Pet Video Library Books On Video Presents: HOW TO SET-UP, AQUASCAPE & MAINTAIN YOUR SALTWATER AQUARIUM This DVD covers: Supplies You Need Choosing an Aquarium Aquarium Component Assembly Water Conditioning Establishing A Biological Filter MATERIALS – Discover the necessary components for a successful saltwater aquarium including lighting, aquariums & stands, covers and more! – CHOOSING… |
|
|
The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up And Maintenance Guide $59.95 The Reef Aquarium DVD is a totally independent video production on how to budget, what to buy, how to install, how to maintain and how to service your marine reef aquarium. Robert L. Wiatroski, our expert with over 20 years of reef keeping experience, walks you through all the steps you need to start your saltwater reef aquarium or to keep the one you have running clean and healthy. How do… |
|
|
Maintaining a Saltwater Aquarium The Easy Way DVD This advanced companion video to Starting a Saltwater Aquarium The Easy Way; helps aquarists effectively and efficiently maintain a healthy and thriving saltwater aquarium. This DVD outlines and advocates consistent maintenance schedules; including daily, weekly, monthly, and every once in awhile maintenance, so hobbyists will be successful at maintaining their aquariums. Learn tips and tricks tha… |
|
|
Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap, Aquarium Series, Pump, 7.5 Ounces $0.99 Wash away bacteria (Wash away dirt & bacteria for good hand hygiene). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take. It is best to wash hands with clean is one of the most important steps we can take. It is best to wash hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. Dermatologist tested…. |
|
|
Marine Aquarium & Goldfish Aquarium $19.99 2 Ultra Realistic 3D ScreensaversProduct InformationMarine Aquarium 2.6 – A Virtual Undersea Paradise with new exotic marine fishlets you view marine life so vibrant you won’t believe your eyes – a virtual undersea paradise! With28 exotic species of fish it’s like having your very own aquatic paradise through your PC. This stunning virtual marine aquarium has enchanted over a quarter million use… |
|
|
Floating Acrylic Aquarium Magnet – Extra Large (Catalog Category: Aquarium / Maintenance Equipment) $312.68 Floating Acrylic Aquarium Magnet – Extra Large. This is a revolutionary magnetic aquarium cleaner, unique because it floats Its buoyancy makes it easy to operate and easily guided around corners without sinking The cleaning brush stays free of sand or gravel, preventing scratching, and the strong attracting magnets easily remove algae Made with high quality cleaning material and felt, high grade … |
|
|
Floating Aquarium Magnet Super Acrylic Glass (Catalog Category: Aquarium / Maintenance Equipment) $590.93 Floating Aquarium Magnet Super Acrylic Glass. MagFloatGulfstream Tropical Aquarium – Float1000 SuperProfessional SizeMagFloat: Floating magnetic aquarium glassacrylic cleaner. Recommended for aquarium surfaces ranging from 1 1/2 to 2… |
|
|
Tetra Betta Safe Water Conditioner, 1.69-Ounce, 50-Ml $1.27 TetraAqua BettaSafe for Bettas is a complete water conditioner formula that works in seconds. Neutralizes harmful chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals in tap water and adds a protective slime coating. For use when setting up a new freshwater aquarium, partial water change or evaporation replacement. Can be used with all ornamental fish, not just Bettas. Each bottle treats 100 gallons….. |
|
|
Tetra Ammonia Detox 8.45oz $6.14 Tetra Aqua Ammonia Detox is a new proprietary formula developed by Tetra to provide superior relief to fish from high ammonia (nh3) conditions. The viscous liquid suspension (organic disulfonates) works in seconds…. |
