Aquarium Care
The proper care and cleaning of your aquarium is the most
important, yet most overlooked aspect of owning an aquarium. By
avoiding the care and maintenance of a fish tank, not only will
it lose the visual appeal, but your fish will be unhealthy and
unhappy. By following a daily, weekly and monthly care program,
you will maintain a beautiful, clean and healthy aquarium.
Daily Cleaning Routine
To maintain a clean aquarium, there are some daily tasks that
must be done. First and foremost, it's important to check the
temperature of the tank and make sure it stays consistent. For
tropical freshwater fish, the temperature should average at
around 77 degrees. Too much heat in your aquarium will promote
the growth of algae. Always check for sick or dead fish daily.
If you have a sick fish, it should be removed from the tank
immediately or it may harm the other inhabitants of the
aquarium. Lastly, check that the pump and filter are
functioning properly.
Weekly Cleaning Routine
Weekly maintenance is necessary to keep the tank healthy. On a
weekly basis, any waste should be removed from the surface of
the gravel at the bottom of the tank. Using a siphon tube will
accomplish this. If water is removed during this process, be
sure to replace it and keep the water in the tank at the same
level. Add chemicals and chlorine weekly so the balance within
the tank remains the same. At this time, it is best to test the
water for the ammonia and nitrate levels. Don't overlook
testing the pH of the water as well. If you are raising live
plants, tend to them each week. Trim them back if they are
getting too big, and remove any dead or sick leaves. Re-anchor
and new sprouts into your gravel. Also, check your tank for
snails. You can remove snails by floating a piece of lettuce
leaf in the tank. The snails will be attracted to the lettuce,
and you can remove them using a net.
Monthly Cleaning Routine
Finally, some monthly steps will assure that your aquarium
stays clean and healthy. A partial water change should be
performed each month. Using a siphon hose, remove 20 to 25
percent of the water from the tank. Always make sure that your
chemical balance is correct. High levels of chlorine and
ammonia will cause death. Cleaning the filter should be a
monthly task as well as changing the filter cartridge. Be sure
not to clean the filter too thoroughly as it contains helpful
bacteria that aids in stabilizing the chemical balance in the
tank. During the monthly cleaning, scrape and remove all algae
from the surface of the tank. If you find you are having a
significant amount of algae, consider adding an algae eater to
the tank. Should you already have one, be sure to keep an eye
on the temperature of the tank and you may also want to limit
the time in which a light is used. Any increased heat source
will speed up the production of algae inside the aquarium. If
your tank is located in direct sunlight and you are having an
algae problem, it is best to relocate the tank.
By following a maintenance schedule, you will be sure to keep a
clean, clear and healthy tank. Aquarium care is essential and
must be performed regularly to ensure the long and happy life
of your fish. Provide yourself with an aquarium to be proud of
by keeping up with the care and cleaning.
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