When it comes to keeping aquariums many issues can arise, The bulk of these issues are related to simple problems that can be prevented with a regular maintenance schedule. The overall health and appearance of an aquarium is directly related to the maintenance we provide. Many aquarium products are sold that claim to take care of algae, cloudy water and other issues which are related directly to maintenance. The problem with these products is they do not take care of the issue, they simply provide a temporary masking of the situation. It is irresponsible to rely on these methods to make up for shortcomings in maintenance and hobbyists will eventually pay for it by a tank that crashes.

Let’s dive into a proper maintenance schedule and talk a bit about ways to keep a healthy tank with happy fish. First and foremost water changes on a weekly basis, preferably on the same day each week, is one of the most crucial aspects of aquarium maintenance. At least 35% is a good rule of thumb for most aquariums once they are established. If the tank is very dirty for whatever reason (algae, cloudy water) and has been running for some time, deep cleaning and up to a 60% can be done once a month. Depending on the size of the aquarium and how many fish are in it you may need to do water changes every 4 to 5 days (The more fish in the tank, the more waste that is produced). While performing water changes try to suck up as much waste from the bottom (caught in the gravel) as possible. Waste caught in-between the substrate can build up overtime and cause issues such as fungus and illness. If at all possible try to get the new water at the same temperature as the tank water.

For any type of aquascape or planted tank, maintenance on them are equally important. It has been incorrectly stated that plants are a type of filtration themselves, though this is somewhat true plants do not have the filtration capacity of an actual filter. If any live fish are in the tank they will need an actual filtration set up (with the exception of possibly a Betta fish which has a labyrinth lung). The filtration sponges and media will need to be “cleaned” (every 1-2 weeks) by washing them off and squeezing the waste out of the sponge, it is imperative not to forget this. The type of lighting and timing of lighting during the day will also have an impact on the condition of your aquarium. Lighting that is not powerful enough or on long enough could prevent your plants from growing and may possibly lead them to melting. On the other hand lighting that is too strong or on too long could create a bacterial bloom and algae buildup that is also bad for the plants and could lead to melting. It is important to understand the variety of plant you’re working with and the type of lighting that it needs. Also it will be beneficial to trim dead leaves and over grown stems (for plant health).

These basic maintenance steps will keep a healthy aquarium for many years to come! Be mindful of the parameters of the water and the temperature of the tank at all times. Happy fish keeping friends!