Weekly Maintenance Routine

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

An aquarium is a closed ecosystem. Waste products accumulate in the water and substrate. Without regular maintenance, nitrates build up, algae blooms, and fish become susceptible to disease.

The Weekly Routine

1. Water Test (5 minutes)

Test with a liquid kit every week. Ammonia and nitrite should be 0 ppm. Nitrate should be below 20 ppm.

2. Water Change (15-20 minutes)

Perform a 25-30% water change every week — the single most important task.

1. Unplug the heater.
2. Use a gravel vacuum to siphon water while cleaning the substrate.
3. Treat replacement water with dechlorinator before adding it.
4. Match temperature (±1°C).
5. Plug heater back in.

3. Glass Cleaning (5 minutes)

Scrape algae with a magnetic cleaner or algae scraper.

4. Filter Check (2 minutes)

Check flow. Only clean filter media in old tank water — never tap water.

5. Plant Care (5 minutes)

Remove dead leaves, trim overgrown stems, check for algae.

6. Visual Health Check

Observe all fish for white spots, torn fins, unusual behavior, or loss of appetite.

Monthly Tasks

• Clean filter thoroughly (rinse in old tank water)
• Clean intake tube
• Check equipment (heater, tubing, lights)
• Trim plants heavily
• Test GH and KH

Pro Tip: Keep a maintenance log. Write down water parameters and observations each week — patterns emerge that help catch problems early.