| The most significant thing that you can do for | | | | ammonia. This substance is produced by fish and |
| your freshwater aquarium is to maintain and keep | | | | by the bacteria that break down waste, uneaten |
| it orderly and clean. The saying goes when taking | | | | food, and other things in the water. One way to |
| care of your freshwater fish, it's easier to | | | | keep debris buildup to a minimum is to conduct |
| prevent disease, than it is to cure sick fish. Daily | | | | frequent water changes. Regular, partial water |
| freshwater aquarium maintenance not only | | | | changes are unequaled in their ability to keep a |
| includes cleaning up everything, you also have to | | | | tank fresh and your fish healthy. |
| check up on your freshwater fish for signs of | | | | Recommendations on how much water should be |
| stress and disease. The earlier you spot a sick | | | | changed during each water change vary greatly. I |
| fish and begin to give that fish special care, the | | | | tend to do 30% water changes once a month, |
| sooner it will recover, and the less likely that | | | | but this will vary by fish tank. Some may require |
| disease will spread to other fish. | | | | more frequent water changes and more of the |
| Freshwater maintenance includes weekly to a | | | | water exchanged. I have had fish tanks where I |
| monthly cleaning routine. These cleaning schedules | | | | did water changes twice a month. Remember to |
| consist of using a vacuum or water siphon, | | | | always make sure that the replacement water is |
| changing water, removing algae, testing the | | | | the same temperature as the water that was |
| water, and changing the filters. | | | | removed to avoid shocking your fish. |
| Daily Preservation | | | | Cleaning algae off of the glass once a week will |
| Take time during your daily feeding routine to | | | | keep your tank looking clean and make for easy |
| check a few things in your tank. Observe and | | | | viewing of your fish. Keep in mind that some |
| look at your fish. Take at least a few minutes to | | | | algae is not a bad thing, so it is a good idea to |
| watch them each day. Get to know their looks as | | | | clean only the panes of glass that you use for |
| well as their behaviors. Once you become familiar | | | | viewing and clean any others less frequently. Also, |
| with them, it will be much easier to notice any | | | | there is a need for using the vacuum or water |
| changes that could indicate a problem. Check the | | | | siphon, keeping the gravel free of detritus will |
| temperature of the tank every day to make | | | | allow the filter to function more efficiently. To |
| sure it is at a suitable level and the heater is | | | | vacuum the gravel, use a siphon with a gravel |
| running properly. As long as the temperature | | | | tube on the end, plunging the tube into the |
| stays within a range of 3 or 4 degrees, your fish | | | | substrate. I tend to do this more on a monthly |
| should do just fine, but if it is varying more than | | | | basis, you could try doing this twice a month also. |
| that, you will want to inspect your heater and | | | | Monthly Maintenance |
| perhaps consider purchasing a new one. Checking | | | | Monthly filter cleaning can be done by a gentle |
| the filter should be another part of your daily | | | | rinse with water from the tank and should be |
| maintenance routine. Many filters will run reliably | | | | sufficient to clear the filter of any clogs. Monthly |
| for years and years, but sometimes a problem | | | | glass cleaning is also a must for monthly |
| can arise. Make sure the filter is still running and | | | | maintenance. Whether you have a glass top or a |
| that the water is flowing at the same rate as | | | | hood top on your tank, any tank cover will |
| usual. A filter that is partially clogged or has | | | | require a regular cleaning. The outside will be |
| stopped running altogether can put the health of | | | | dusty, and the inside can have accumulated |
| your fish at risk. | | | | calcium deposits and algae, particularly near the |
| Weekly Maintenance | | | | light. It is especially important to clean the cover |
| One of the most serious problems a fish tank will | | | | regularly if you're keeping live plants in the tank, |
| encounter is waste buildup. Waste buildup is a | | | | as buildup will significantly reduce the amount of |
| problem because it can make a tank appear dirty, | | | | light reaching the plants. |
| but it also brings a much more serious problem: | | | | |