Your filter is your most important piece of aquarium equipment. Filters help maintain aquarium water quality by efficiently removing harmful materials from your aquarium. Without proper filtration, your aquarium will not be able to sustain life.
Once you get your fish tank all setup and the aquarium is developing properly, you have to start with more general maintenance:
1) Changing approx. 25% of the water every week prevents the accumulation of hazardous substances in the aquarium and limits the algae growth.
2) Waste products in the form of dead plant matter etc. should be removed as soon as possible. Their breakdown uses oxygen and produces nutrients that destroys the balance and promotes algae growth.
3) Check the aquarium equipment regularly in order to make sure that any faults and defects will be rectified and that a stable environment will be maintained.
4) The plant growth is now in full swing and a liquid fertiliser has to be added. Start carefully and with a dose smaller than the recommended. Increase the dose gradually according to the plants’ reaction to the fertiliser. A good rule of thumb is that leaves or plants become lighter/transparent when they lack fertiliser.
5) Check for algae on a regular basis. The first sign is unclear water, accumulations on the glass, leaves or decorative materials, or possibly fine threads. If the algae become visible, it will be much more difficult to suppress them! Algae are reduced by changing the water, reducing the amount of fertiliser, introducing more fast-growing plants and algae-eaters. You can find more information at tropica.com.
TIP! To Much Light and Overfeeding your fish is the most common cause of algae and other common problems in your aquarium.
Avoid overfeeding your fish.
This one is one rule you must follow in maintaining an aquarium. Overfeeding your fish can cause a variety of problems, including increasing the amount of waste and debris in your tank. Most fish do not need to be fed a huge amount of food to survive. Overfeeding can also encourage algae growth, further depleting your water quality and oxygen. Maintain a consistent feeding schedule and provide an appropriate amount of food.
Maintain pH balance and other chemical levels. …
pH levels measure the balance of acidity and alkalinity in your aquarium’s water. You can monitor your tank’s pH levels by purchasing a pH test kit. Freshwater fish typically do well in aquariums with pH levels between 6.6 and 6.8. Saltwater fish thrive well in pH levels between 7.6 and 8.4. You will also need to regularly check your tank for the right levels of nitrate, nitrite, and ammone. Of course, these levels depend largely on fish species and the kind of aquarium you have. For the best results, ask our Pet counselors for advice on maintaining pH balance and other levels.
Make sure water temperature is right. …
Your tank’s water temperature should be comfortable enough to sustain aquatic life. Any major changes to your tank’s temperature can be fatal to your fish. Avoid placing your tank in an area that receives a lot of sunlight or near cooling vents. Freshwater fish need a constant water temperature between 72°F – 82°F; saltwater fish thrive between 75°F – 80°F. Temperature levels also depends on each fish species so it’s important to research for the best possible results. You may need to buy a water heater for your tank if your aquarium is too cool to maintain your fish.
The Correct Filtration
On top of your regular maintenance, ensuring you’ve got the right filtration system for your aquarium is key in ensuring that your tank’s water is as clear as possible.
Implementing three levels of filtration: mechanical, biological and chemical, will help rid your tank of unwanted bacteria and chemicals and provide your tank with quality, balanced water.
If you’re overwhelmed with the choice of available filtering systems and unsure whether you want an internal or external filter, fear no more. We’ve broken down your options in our What Are The Best Aquarium Filters blog to help you make the best filter decisions based on both your tank and your budget.
You can see our reccomended aquarium filters online here
Recommended Aquarium Maintenance Routine
A complete aquarium maintenance schedule includes daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly tasks
Daily
Make sure the equipment is running properly.
Watch your fish during feeding. Behavioral changes are a good indicator of a potential problem.
Weekly
Count your fish. In case of fish death, smaller species can decompose quickly, resulting in ammonia and nitrite spikes, and eventually high nitrate levels.
Every Other Week
Test your water for vital parameters: pH, carbonate hardness, nitrite, and nitrate.
Clean the aquarium walls. Filter floss is fairly cheap and very efficient. Start from the bottom upward and rinse filter floss or scrubber frequently.
Vacuum the gravel.
Change 10-15% of the water.
Rinse filter inserts with the extracted water.
Monthly
Replace filter inserts, cartridges, floss, carbon, and Algone. Rinse entire filter if needed.
Inspect tubing, connections, airstones, skimmers and other parts for proper operation.
Clean aquarium top to assure your lighting is not affected.
Check the expiration dates printed on the boxes and bottles of the aquarium supplies you use. Do not use after the imprinted date. Expired test kits will give false readings and may prompt you to take unnecessary action.
TIP: When Adding New Fish Always Acclimate your fish to the water.
Acclimation is an essential part of introducing your fish to their new home. Many fish species are delicate and thus, without proper acclimation, they may go through shock. You can ask our Pet counselors on the best acclimation methods for your pet fish. They may advise you to test the water chemistry before you begin the process. Once you arrive home, make sure to test the water based on the appropriate chemical levels. If your tank levels differ, you will need to acclimate your fish a little longer.
In Conclusion
Every aquarium is different and will require a maintenance schedule that is best suited for its unique conditions. Use our aquarium maintenance guidelines outlined in this article as a starting point. From there, you will be able to set your own timelines.
Always remember, it is far more challenging to maintain an overstocked and overfed aquarium, so make sure to avoid both.
Reduce Waste in Your Tank
One of the most detrimental factors to your aquarium water’s wellbeing is the effects of excess waste, whether from overfeeding your fish or from their excrement.
By making sure you undertake regular maintenance, as well as ensuring you don’t overfeed your fish, then you’ll create great foundations for crystal clear water right in your fish tank.
The key to getting crystal clear water in your fish tank is to zone in on what could be causing it and fix the problem from the root.
Use a Water Treatment or Clarifier
Water treatments are a great supplementary treatment for your water, alongside the previous steps mentioned.
Using water treatments is a great way to achieve optimum results with the clarity of your water, as it helps remove smaller bacteria particles by making them into bigger particles that can be removed with the help of your aquarium’s filter system.
Fast acting and able to reach even the finest of substances, such as sand, water treatments cause no harm to your tank’s inhabitants whilst helping to make their home crystal clear.
Having a clean fish tank is one of the most important aspect to fish keeping. so it’s good to have a good combination of filters in your fish tank because they help to get rid of the harmful substances in your tap water. like Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite chlorine and reduces Alge. Don’t forget that Nitrate, Nitrite are two different things, and that chlorine should be removed from the water before adding to your fish tank.
Here Are Some Of the Products I Use And Highley Recommend For Your Fish Tanks And Aquariums
Fluval Cycle and Aquaplus Water Treatment Pack
Immediately establishes safe biological aquarium environment
Powerful responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
Prevents fish loss
Allows immediate introduction of fish
Testing shows the water quality stays consistently good, the pH is buffered and water clarity is excellent. I have previously used multiple API and Tetra products but will continue to use this instead. I have no complaints and highly recommend you try this you will love the results.
Water Clarifier for freshwater aquariums
Powerful responsive ammonia and nitrite elimination
Immediately establishes a safe environment
Maintaining Crystal Clear Water
By following each of these steps, you should be able to eliminate the key problems that can cause any cloudiness in your tank, and they will help create a thriving environment for your fish to inhabit – making that crystal clear paradise a true reality.
If any discolouration or cloudiness returns, don’t rush too quickly to fix it, as this can often fix itself naturally as part of your tank’s cycle.
Fluval Co2 Pressurized Kit
Fluval CO2 compressed kits come complete with all the tools needed to grow lush and vibrant plants in your aquarium
JBL ProFlora Bio80, Bio-CO2 system with glass diffuser
Natural: CO2 production from biological fermentation process. No pressurised gas cylinder needed,
These Fish Tank cleaning Products Are Amazing! They really do work. My tank is crystal clear and there seem to be NO nitrate or nitrite levels to worry about. I’ve only been using it for a while in a 6 foot tank that has just recently been set up. There are plants in the tank along with a Few Fish And Everything seems really happy.
We Do Recommend These if you are still looking what to feed your freshwater fish then try feeding your fish these.
Follow me on: Social Media In The Links Below
by Just Featured January 2, 2024
by Just Featured December 28, 2023
by Just Featured December 28, 2023
Comments