Fish Tanks

The secret to having a successful tropical fish tank, weather it is a freshwater fish tank or saltwater fish tank is maintenance. Unlike in the wild, a fish tank is a closed environment. Whereas in the wild a creek or stream flowing through a pond helps remove ammonia saturated water, in a fish tank this needs to be accomplished by removing and replacing some amount of water. This should be done about once every week. Remove and replace about 20 % of the water in the tank.

If you are cleaning a saltwater fish tank, remember that as you remove water, you are also removing salt. So when you replace the water you must also replace the salt.

On the fourth week, using a fish tank siphon, vacuum the gravel in the bottom of the tank. This removes some of the solid waste. It is ok on this cleaning if you remove a little more water.

During each water change, check your filter. If you have a sponge filter rinse it out at this time. Replace it when it gets too gunky. Do the same with any other material in your filter, replacing as it gets old. Rember not to replace the different types of material all at the same time. It is better to spread them out over the cleanings.

During your cleaning routine visually check your fish tank over for cracked or broken parts. Check your air lines. Check your plants and decorations for possible problems. Make sure your heater is functioning properly. If you have a thermometer check it to make sure it is not cracked or broken.

This whole clean up process should only take about 20 minutes, and will keep your fish tank clean and healthy.