Tropical fish and equipment is very expensive. Regular maintenance is required to keep equipment running well enabling it to last longer. It also allows the fish to have a good quality of life and live longer. Performing maintenance on an aquarium every two weeks keeps harmful bacteria from multiplying and gives fish a safe environment.
Fish waste and extra food eventually falls to the bottom of the tank and gets stuck in the gravel. A bottom filter removes some of this waste, but not all of it. A build up of waste along with respiration from the fish causes the pH of the water to become contaminated with substances that are toxic to the fish. Regular cleaning reduces these dangerous levels.
Certain equipment is necessary to enable swift and easy maintenance on an aquarium. Use several plastic buckets only for aquarium maintenance. Do not use it for household cleaning or gardening as it can introduce toxic substances that kill fish and contaminate the aquarium. Aquarium vacuums, along with the required hoses, are necessary to drain water and pick up solid waste in the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium. Algae scrubbers safely scrape algae from the sides and front of the aquarium. Extra hoses plastic hoses are handy and filter fillers and activated charcoal may be necessary.
Before beginning, unplug any aquarium electrical equipment. Remove statues and ornaments for a heavy cleaning leaving them alone for regular maintenance. Fill the vacuum end of the aquarium vacuum tube with water and place it in the gravel. Put the other end of the vacuum hose in the bucket that is set lower than the aquarium. Some aquarium vacuums require the person performing maintenance to suck on the end outside of the tank to get the flow started. Others automatically begin when moving the vacuum head up and down or side to side. Battery operated aquarium vacuums start with a flip of the switch. Hold the vacuum head over the gravel or place it right in the gravel and vacuum from one end to the other. Once visible debris stops going into the head, vacuuming is complete. Never drain more than 30 to 40 percent of the water in a tank when cleaning. Check filters and clean or replace them if necessary. Replace water with water that is about the same temperature as the tank water treated with declorinator and restart all electrical equipment except heaters, which are started 15 minutes later.
Maintaining an aquarium saves money that spent on filtering systems and new fish. It also keeps the aquarium beautiful and presentable in the home or office.