Establishing a regular routine for performing maintenance tasks is all part of keeping your aquarium in top shape. Taking the time to siphon up detritus, clean the filter and other equipment, mix saltwater solutions for water changes and replenishment, test the water and address other water quality issues are just some of the jobs that need tending to regularly.
Once you have completed the first basic aquarium maintenance tasks one should perform several weeks after an aquarium has finished cycling, it's time to set up a regular schedule and begin standard maintenance procedures. Find out what these tasks are, and when they are recommended to be done.
A simple method to reduce the toxicity of ammonia in aquarium water. Also shown is how to avoid increasing the toxicity of ammonia when cycling an aquarium.
When going on a trip for business or a vacation, it is best to make plans and arrange to have someone attend to or at least check in on your aquarium once a day while you are gone. There are a number of things you can do ahead of time which will make tending your aquarium while you are away much easier.
When you are unable to
resolve an aquarium overheating issue because it is merely due to hot summer weather conditions, here are some simple but effective ways to temporarily bring down harmful rising tank temperatures and keep your aquarium inhabitants safe.
Stray voltage, even in small amounts, can cause a number of subtle or dramatic problems in an aquarium. Here is a step by step method to indentify, locate and cure stray voltage.
What type of heater is the best choice, a hang-on-tank, submersible, or cable system unit? Should one or more heaters be use? What temperature is optimal to maintain a saltwater aquarium and reef tank system at? These and other questions about heater setups and aquarium heating issues are answered here.
A discussion about the optimal temperature for a saltwater aquarium.
Getting salt creep off your glass aquarium is a project that many put off as long as they can. Unfortunately, it only gets worse and becomes more difficult with time. Here is a method to remove salt creep from your glass tank and some tips on how to minimize it in the future.
No one likes to do tank maintenance. Make aquarium maintenance faster and easier by following these 7 simple steps. From topping off to faster feeding to algae control and more, simple ways to make them easier and faster to do.
FAQ - How can I protect my saltwater aquarium from insecticides?
Face it. Cleaning the tank is usually last on an aquarium keeper's list of things to do, and any tool that makes the job easier is worth its weight in gold. Here's a list of some of the handiest, inexpensive and simple to use gadgets for cleaning aquariums that are designed to help get the job done as easily and quickly as possible.
Once you have completed the first basic maintenance tasks one should perform several weeks after an aquarium has finished cycling, it's time to set up a regular schedule and begin standard maintenance procedures. Find out what these tasks are, and when they are recommended to be done.
What is the best temperature for your reef tank? How High is Too High? It may be higher than you think.
Quick, easy and inexpensive cabinet organization project which will make it simple to store and find all of the things you use to maintain your aquarium.
The primary cause of high nitrate and nuisance algae growth in aquariums stems from allowing organic debris to accumulate in the system. It's not difficult to keep an aquarium clean and tidy. From this list of handy cleaning tools and the simple things you can include as part of your regular maintenance routine to clean up the substrate and live rocks, it's easy to reduce heavy amounts of troublesome organics that settle and build up in these areas of your aquarium.
Depending on the cause of the cloudy water, the problem can be either very easy to cure, or require more extensive procedures. Fortunately, the causes of cloudy aquarium water in each case can be determined by the color or tint of the water.
Once your new saltwater aquarium has reached the third and final phase of the nitrogen cycling process and completing its task of establishing the beginning of your tank's biological filter base, it's important to be patient, and move slowly! Here's why.
Here's the answer to the question, when the water level drops in my saltwater aquarium, am I supposed to add salt or fresh top-off water?
Aquarium salt creep is a common problem for saltwater and freshwater aquarists alike. Learn about what aquarium salt creep is, the damaging effects it has on equipment and other items it comes in contact with, and find out how to deal with this encrusting and corrosive substance.
Over the past few decades, the science of saltwater aquaria has increased by leaps and bounds. In spite of the new knowledge, many of the old myths which arose during the years of experimentation are still professed by some as facts. Here are some of the most popular myths which are still in circulation.
Unforeseen situations with your aquarium can occur at any time, and if you are not prepared to handle a critical problem if it arises, losses to your aquarium community can be costly. You should be ready at any given time to be able to perform a partical or complete water change, treat a sick fish, or handle any number of other emergenices.
Many people who live near the ocean want to know if they can use ocean water in their tanks.
You are in the middle of the tank cycling process, your ammonia and nitrites are spiking and your fish aren't looking too good. Should you do a water change to reduce the toxins?
Q. I have a 55 gallon salt water tank FOLR and I wanted to tent my house for termites... my question is can the tank remain in the house while is being tented???
Now that your new saltwater aquarium has reached the end of the nitrogen cycling process and completed its task of established the beginning of your tank's biological filter base, find out what needs to be done next to start maintaining the system.
Whether you have a saltwater aquarium that has just finished going through the nitrogen cycling process, or one that is well established and been running for years, new tank syndrome can occur. Find out what NTS is, what causes it, and solutions to avoiding this problem.
Here is an easy to use Cause and Solution table to help you determine what caused and the solution for your "New Tank Syndrome".
From your About Guides, here are methods for how to purify tap water before using as make-up or top-off in saltwater aquariums, as well as a list of other alternative fresh water sources one can choose to use instead.
From Aquatics Unlimited, this article by James Kostich addresses the problem of how an unwary aquarist is most likely to be rudely awakened to "Old Tank Syndrome" when he or she attempts to add new fish to an existing collection, because high nitrates have been allowed to accumulate due to poor maintenance care.
