Here we've outline a selection of guidelines on how best to take care of your aquarium. You have one or more beautiful aquariums in your house, or you're thinking about having one? Then you're hopefully aware that aquarium management requires extra care to ensure that your fish swim in the best possible environment.
First and foremost, an aquarium is a closed environment that requires a lot of thought and care to ensure the water quality is preserved, equipment is working correctly, and any livestock is adequately cared for. We've compiled a list of our top few recommendations for excellent tank and fish care.
First and foremost, change the water regularly.
Perform a 20-30% water shift every couple of weeks. Water changes are, without a doubt, the most significant aspect of aquarium management. Every few days, replenish any water that has evaporated. This will help to prevent mineral deposits on the tank glass and, in marine conditions, will help to maintain consistent salinity levels.
The water change is an essential part of scheduled aquarium maintenance. Use a siphon to remove aquarium water while vacuuming the gravel to maximize your efforts. It will remove uneaten fish food, fish excrement, and other toxic waste from the Aquarium's floor.
Check the water parameters, including temperature, pH, etc., of both the tank and the replacement water when doing aquarium maintenance.
Chlorine or chloramine is present in tap water (municipal water). If stored in an aerated bucket for twenty-four hours, chlorine can air out. Chloramine, on the other hand, would not. Chloramine is usually made up of ammonia and chlorine. In this case, a water conditioner should be used to neutralize the chlorine. It's worth noting that if the water contains chloramine, ammonia will stay in it even after treatment with a conditioner. After adding the water to the Aquarium, nitrifying bacteria can break down the ammonia.
Don't overstock or overpopulate the aquarium
Due to the increased waste, keeping a healthy fish tank would be difficult. Phosphates, iron, and other heavy metals can also be present in municipal water. If you notice many of your fish dying or massive algae blooms maybe it's time to remove some of your fish and reduce the stress that has been put on your aquarium ecosystem.
Checking the Temperature and other parameters of the aquarium regularly
Checking important water parameters is an essential part of regular aquarium maintenance. Since we can't tell how clean water is just by looking at it, it's necessary to test it regularly. Testing the water in your tank is similar to testing your vital signs. The findings will reveal a lot about imbalances, helping us to spot and avoid potential issues.
Nitrate, nitrite, pH, carbonate hardness, and salinity are all critical parameters to monitor as part of routine aquarium maintenance (saltwater only) We strongly encourage you to include testing in your daily maintenance routine. Our specific guidelines for measuring essential aquarium water parameters are outlined below.
Nitrates
In freshwater aquariums, nitrate levels should be kept below ten ppm, and in saltwater and coral aquariums, nitrate levels should be kept below five ppm.
Nitrites
For all times, nitrites should be undetectable (except during cycling). If you find nitrite, make sure to check for ammonia as well.
pH
The pH level must remain constant. Most species prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, but they should be good if it's slightly higher or lower.
KH (carbonate hardness)
Carbonate hardness (KH) is a pH stability indicator. If KH falls below 4.5 dH (degree hardness) or 80 ppm, you should keep an eye on it. The pH of aquarium water will drop if the hardness falls below 45 KH. A half teaspoon of good quality baking soda added to 25 gallons of water increases kH by around 1 degree (17.8 ppm).
To clear trapped particles, use a gravel cleaner, which will also stabilize pH and KH levels.
Keep your aquarium clean
Every week, clean the tank's glass. Biofilms and algae are slow-growing organisms that aren't always visible—using an aquarium-safe glass cleaner on the inside of the tank and a glass cleaning magnet on the outside.
Make sure your light sources are clean and working correctly
Every few weeks, clean the aquarium lighting lens or fluorescent bulb. Deposits on lights will drastically reduce the amount of light that enters your Aquarium.
Make sure your filter isn't clogged
The value of filter maintenance cannot be overstated. Fluval filters are designed to quickly and effectively allow simple mechanical media access for rinsing, so do so at least once a month to prevent organic contaminants from reducing water quality or impairing chemical and biological media. As a filter becomes more clogged with debris it drastically reduces its flow as well - this means the water is cleaned less regularly and can impact your fish.
Check the water temperature and filter activity of your Aquarium regularly
This takes just a few seconds and is critical to your fish survival. You may need to treat the water to remove the chlorine, chloramine, and unwanted metals if necessary
Keep the plants alive by trimming them
If you have live plants, keep them trimmed and pruned as required, and consider installing a CO2 system. Co2 is the most efficient way to directly nourish plants since they are almost 50% carbon by dry weight.
Check your fish on a daily basis
Check your fish on a daily basis, particularly if you've added new tank mates. Early disease/medical condition detection can mean the difference between good treatment and one that fails.
Put the new fish in quarantine at the start
If you have the space (and a spare aquarium floating around) then new fish should be quarantined for at least two weeks in a separate, clean aquarium with no substrate. Make sure they're eating well and don't have any disease symptoms. If they need to be handled, do so in a quarantine aquarium to avoid causing harm to your main Aquarium.
If you follow these instructions, then you will help ensure that your Aquarium is well-maintained, as long as you are disciplined and consistent. The general rule is to keep an eye on your fish and your Aquarium state regularly and be aware of any changes. Don't worry about trial and error as over time your tank will settle into it's equilibrium as you learn more and more about how to take care of it. Your fish will be grateful! Best of luck, and don't forget to have fun!
