How often should you perform major cleaning chores depends on your system type. While true Berlin Live Rock and Jaubert/Plenum filter systems need little maintenance, Wet/Dry Trickle and canister filters require more frequent attention. There are a number of factors which affect how often your tank will require maintenance:
- Filtration type.
- Bilogical load on the filtration system.
- Quantity & types of foods fed.
- Inclusion of Tank Janitors.
- Use of toxin (nitrate & phosphate) reducing products.
- Observations
- Fish
- Parasites?
- Active?
- Appetite?
- Color?
- Eyes?
- Fins?
- Invertebrates
- Active?
- Eating?
- Tank Janitors
- Active?
- Keeping up with cleaning?
- Corals
- Color?
- Open?
- Substrate
- Water
Test your water parameters at least once per week, to begin with. Slight changes in some tests are normal but they may indicate a trend and should be noted. Tests should include:
- Water Parameters
- Temperature
- Salinity
- pH
- Alkalinity
- Ammonia
- Nitrite
- Nitrate
- Phosphate
- Iodine
- Calcium
- Siphon clean substrate
- Water change.
- Top off with new saltwater (it's best to have your water mixed up ahead of time).
- Retest parameters which were off, previously.
- Sump
- Clean debris from the bottom
- A turkey baster works great for this.
- Filters
- Change or clean the mechanical filter material
- Check/Clean/Change Adsorbants
- Clean Biological Filter Material
- Rinse in saltwater to remove debris.
- The water you siphoned earlier works great for this.
- Protein Skimmer
- Empty collection cup.
- Adjust air and water flow as needed.
- Pumps
- Operating?
- Normal output?
- Free of blockages?
- Clean filters.
- Check hose connections
- Lights
- Clean fixture and bulbs
- Replace old bulbs.
- Salt Creep
- Source?
- Clean salt creep
Record the water test results in your tank log book.
What are the Normal Sea Water (NSW) values? See the Table of Top Major & Minor Elements in NSW.
What are the target water test levels? See the Marine Aquarium Water Quality Target Values.
When you decide that a major cleaning is due, take the time (the more you do it, the less time it will take over time) to go through your entire system and do it right. Start from the inside of the tank, then work your way through the rest of the system.
HINT: We have found that placing a couple of old towels on the floor in front of the tank during cleaning helps protect the flooring from water damage.
To start with, scrub the algae from the tank walls and submerged equipment.
Add supplements to adjust levels to desired levels as needed.
Next is your filtration system. This is where a well designed, user friendly system really pays off. The old adage: "The easier something is to do, the more often it will be done" rings true here.
Wipe the cabinet and canopy down with a damp cloth, clean the aquarium glass with a glass cleaner or damp cloth and you are done.
Take a minute or 2 to think about whether or not you should perform this maintenance more or less frequently. The amount of debris in your mechanical filter is a good indicator. When your mechanical filter becomes clogged and overpowered, contaminants will either be forced through or around the filter material, defeating its purpose.
Now schedule your next maintenance.
