Aquarium Care and Cleaning Tips

Regular and proper care and cleaning of your Aquarium is the most important, yet most overlooked responsibilities of owning an aquarium. By neglecting the care and maintenance of your aquarium, not only will it lose its visual appeal, but your fish's health and happiness will suffer. By following a daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedule, you will maintain a beautiful, clean and healthy fish tank.

Daily Cleaning

To maintain a clean fish tank, there are some tasks that must be done on a daily basis. First, it's important to notice the temperature of the water to be certain it is consistent.  For tropical freshwater fish, the temperature should average about 77 degrees. Water temperature that is too high will promote the growth of algae.  Always check for sick or dead fish every day. If you notice a sick fish, remove it from the aquarium immediately or it may infect the other inhabitants of the aquarium. Lastly, ensure that the pump and filter are operating properly.

Weekly Cleaning

Any waste should be removed from the surface of the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium using a siphon tube. If water is removed during the cleaning, be sure to replace it to maintain the water in the tank at the same level.  Add necessary chemicals and chlorine weekly so the balance within the aquarium is constant.  Test the water for ammonia and nitrate levels and pH of the water also.  If you have live plants, trim them back if they are getting too large and remove any dead or sick leaves. Re-anchor any new sprouts into the gravel. Also, check your tank for snails by floating a piece of lettuce leaf in the tank. The snails will be attracted to the lettuce, and you can remove them with a net.

Monthly Cleaning

Each month, about 25% of the water should be removed using a siphon hose and replaced with fresh water. Check that the chemical balance is correct as high levels of chlorine and ammonia will cause death. Clean the filter and change the filter cartridge. Do not clean the filter too thoroughly as it contains helpful bacteria that aid in stabilizing the chemical balance in the aquarium.

Scrape and remove all algae from the walls of the tank. If you have a significant amount of algae, consider adding an algae eater to your aquarium.  If you already have one, keep watch on the water temperature and you may also need to limit the light exposure. Increased heat and light will contribute to the production of algae inside the tank. If your aquarium is located in direct sunlight and you are having an algae problem, it is best to move it.

By following a regular maintenance schedule, you will be certain to keep a clean, clear and healthy aquarium. Aquarium care is vital and must be performed regularly to ensure a long and happy life for your fish.

Recommended Reading

For a complete compendium of information on all the problems that tropical fish are subject to, take a look at:

Katy’s Tropical Fish - A Complete Guide

You’ll learn how to keep your fish happy, healthy, and beautiful, how to keep your aquarium to professional standards, how to troubleshoot health problems as soon as they occur, and learn valuable insider tips and tricks for keeping your aquarium looking spectacular.