This post is a follow up from my previous post “Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Fish Tank Filters“.

Taking care of your aquariums maintenance is very important.  Just having a fish tank filter in your tank is not enough. While the filter that you use may be efficient enough to remove waste particles and excess food, it will never be enough to purify the water totally and as time goes on the quality of the water will begin to decline. Also, remember that you have created an environment that is perfect for sustaining life so not only will you be breeding fish, you will also be breeding algae. The amount of aquariums maintenance that you would have to do is dependent on a number of factors. These include:

1. The size of your tank
2. The number of aquatic life you have in there
3. The frequency of feeding
4. The location of the tank
5. The type of filter that you are using

Aquariums Maintenance

Quick Links

Generally, the larger the tank the more frequent you would have to clean it, unless you are using a powerful enough canister filter. The more aquatic life you have the more frequent you would be feeding them and the more waste they would produce, but this again depends on the strength of your filter.

Where you place the tank is important because if it is placed where there is ample sunlight, this will encourage the growth of algae. Finally, from the previous posts you will now know that some filters are more efficient than other.  All this affects how frequent you need to perform your aquariums maintenance.

Aquariums Maintenance Schedule

All things said, for an average aquarium with an average filter there are daily, weekly and monthly aquariums maintenance chores which you would need to perform which I have highlighted below:

Aquariums Maintenance Daily

1. Visually inspect your fish for signs of disease or stress. This does not have to be too detailed, just look for any signs that your fish is under the weather. The faster you detect a problem, the quicker you can quarantine the fish so that the disease does not spread and the sick fish recovers. I’ll post a list of common symptoms soon.
2. Check the water clarity. Is the water cloudy, foamy or smelly? If it is, inspect your filter and change the water if it is too degraded.
3. Check the thermometer. Ensure that the temperature in your tank is appropriate for the fish that you are breeding. If it is not, you will have to inspect your fish tank heater.
4. Feed your fish. The most appropriate way to feed is small amounts twice a day. Also, make sure you remove any uneaten food after ten minutes or so or it might impact the quality of the water.

Aquariums Maintenance Weekly

1. Change 20% of the water. While using a more expensive fish tank filter will generally maintain good water quality, keeping the water fresh will ensure that your fish are healthy and vibrant, and will prevent disease.  This is the most important aquariums maintenance chore of all.
2. Wash the gravel. Heavier waste will sink to the bottom and get trapped in the space between the stones. This will then become the breeding ground for bacteria.

Aquariums Maintenance Monthly

1. Clean your tank thoroughly. This will not only keep the tank beautiful but will also keep your fish healthy.

Aquariums Maintenance Tools You Need

So these are the most common aquariums maintenance that you would generally need to perform. Keeping the tank clean will give you the satisfaction of owning healthy and vibrant fish for years to come and make aquariums maintenancea breeze.