Maintenance is a critical when it comes to your keeping your marine fish alive and healthy. Creating a schedule for daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly checks and maintenance will help in making your marine aquarium a success. The type of tank and fish you have will change the schedule in some ways but here is a list of the basics.
Daily Schedule
- You should give your marine fish tank a good look over check the temperature with a aquarium thermometer to make sure its within its parameters.
- Observe the condition and behavior of your marine fish look for signs of disease or stress.
- Make sure the pumps and powerheads are functioning properly.
- Look for leaks.
- Remove any leftover fish food before it starts to decay.
- Check tank level and top off if necessary.
Weekly Schedule
- Scrape any algae that might have build up on the sides of the tank.
- Clean any filters that appear to have a buildup of waste and leftover food.
- Check the water with a aquarium test kit for ph, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite if necessary.
Biweekly Schedule
- Do a 10 percent water change.
- While removing the water vacuum the substrate to remove any waste and leftover food.
- Clean your filter elements with the water you extracted out of the tank.
- Clean any salt buildup from the top of the fish tank and the cover so not to block any light.
Monthly Schedule
- Inspect all electrical connections for any type of corrosion
- Change filters and carbon.
- inspect all plumbing and airstones for leaks and proper operation replace if necessary.
How to do a water change in your Marine Aquarium.
The water in your aquarium should be changed at least every two weeks sometimes sooner which is why testing the water is important. The more fish you have in the fish tank the more waste will be brought into the tank. Check with your local pet store about what needs to be done with water in your area to make it marine fish friendly.When changing the water you will want to disconnect anything electric to you tank as a safety precaution. Remove about 10 percent of the water from your tank. In a bucket or some sort of container add water and the salt mix according to the manufactures instructions. Check the specific gravity of the water with a hydrometer and check the water with a test kit to make sure both the aquarium and the new water are within the same parameters. Once the temperature of both are about the same you can start slowly add the water. You can now turn your electrical components and make sure everything is running smoothly. Remember excellent water condition is crucial to marine fish care.