Overall Aquarium Maintenance

Overall Aquarium Maintenance

Overall Aquarium Maintenance does not only pertain to cleaning the tank, it also includes carrying out the due services of all the Aquarium Fittings & Fixtures, Additives, etc. Therefore, overall aquarium maintenance aims to provide a healthy and a suitable environment to your aquatic pets. Water Quality Checks, Aquarium Feeding, Aquarium Lighting, and Water Changes are some integral factors of aquarium maintenance. This article answers some common questions related to the overall aquarium maintenance. Lets take a look.

1. Is it more difficult to maintain a Saltwater Aquarium than a Freshwater one?
Answer. No, its not difficult to maintain a Saltwater Aquarium. The only thing is more financial outlay associated with a Marine Aquarium as compared to the Freshwater one. Saltwater Fishes and Filters are more expensive than the freshwater ones and so are their servicing. In addition, Live Corals, a must for Reef Type Marine Aquariums, need a lot of light, and the water needs to be mixed with an adequate amount of salts, a day before refilling or changing the water of the tank.

2. What are the symptoms of a poorly maintained or neglected aquarium?
Answer. The presence of Mosses, Cloudiness, and unpleasant Smell in the tank water are the primary signs of aquarium maintenance task gone awry. If allowed to stand further, you will soon see fish gasping for air at the surface of the tank water, which indicates the clogging of Water Filter and the absence of Water Movement in the aquarium. In addition, fish experience troubles such as, Abnormal Swimming, Labored Breathing, Anorexia, and Skin problems.

3. How do I remove Algae from my aquarium?
Answer. Algae need Oxygen, Light, appropriate Temperature, and Nutrients to survive. Algal growth in the aquarium can be inhibited by limiting the duration of light, avoiding the availability of direct sunlight in the aquarium, increasing plantation, and lowering the nutrients level in the aquarium water. The overfeeding of fish also results in many unused food particles settling here and there in the tank. These particles act as nutrients for the growth of Micro Algae. Installing a Protein Skimmer in the tank is a good option for removing Dissolved Organic Matter (nutrient for Algae) from the water. In addition, you can remove the existing Algae with the help of Long Handled or Magnetic Algae Scrubbers. You can remove the Algae present on Corals by putting them in a weak Bleach Solution (about 1 part Bleach to 20 parts Water) for approximately 20 minutes, and further rinsing them with Dechlorinated Water or Tap Water. Introducing Algae eating fish like Tangs, Angelfishes, and some types of Snails are also helpful in controlling Algal growth in aquarium

4. What precautions should be taken before and after changing water in the aquarium?
Answer. When changing water, always remember to Switch Off all the Electrical Devices such as, Filters, Lights, and Air Pumps to name some. Never take out all the water from the tank during cleaning process. Only quarter to half of the total tank water should be changed and an equal amount of clean and dechlorinated water should be refilled. Before replacing, ensure that the water Temperature is the same as that of existing aquarium water. A sudden change in Temperature may be stressful for fish. Later on, stabilize the other water quality factors such as, pH & GH. Finally, switch on all the electrical equipment after the aquarium cleaning process is over.

5. How often should I change the water in my aquarium?
Answer. There is no hard and fast rule related to this. There are many factors determining the cleaning of tank water such as, population, age, & the size of the tank, and the Aquarium Feeding schedule. The older the tank, the lesser will it require the water changes in order to preserve beneficial Bacteria. For a normal aquarium, 10% water change once a week or 25% water change every four weeks is recommended.

6. How should I clean my fish tank?
Answer. It’s better to make small water changes frequently than the large water changes at infrequent intervals. Make sure not to disturb your aquatic pets while changing tank water. The cleaning of the aquarium should start with the removal of Algae by Algae Scrubbers. Employ the Test Kits to check the water for various water quality factors such as, pH, GH, and Nitrates levels. Remove all the Aquarium Decor Items and clean them under the running Tap Water. Don’t use Soap for cleaning any item of the aquarium. Remove 10-15% of the water from the aquarium by the means of a Siphon. Sometimes Gravel or Sand may need to be vacuumed. Next, replace the vacuumed Gravel safely into the tank, along with all the decorative items, and refill the tank with Dechlorinated Water or Tap Water of approximately the same Temperature. Using Siphon for refilling the tank works the best without disturbing the tank set up.

7. How to clean the Filter of my fish tank?
Answer. Aquarium Filters are used to remove unused food, decaying organic matter, and other waste particles from the tank water. Biological Filters form during the “cycling” of tank and consist of Bacteria and Microorganisms. Make sure not to disturb this Biological Filtration Bed of your aquarium. Mechanical Filters remove waste particles from the tank water and include Sponge & Pads. Mechanical Filters are cleaned by rinsing them with the old aquarium water or may even have to be replaced. Chemical Filters are made of Activated Carbon, which adsorb Organic Wastes from the water. This Carbon gets clogged and needs to be changed every two weeks to once a month, as required. Maintain the Chemical Media as per the instructions given in its user manual or label.

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Overall Aquarium Maintenance