Fish Aquarium Maintenance – Keeping Your Aquarium Clean. The things you need to do to keep your aquarium clean.

Keeping your aquarium clean is a big challenge. The decision to buy a freshwater aquarium means making a commitment to fish aquarium maintenance. Even basic steps like aquarium water changes take time and some basic knowledge. With this in mind, here are the most common problems encountered in aquarium maintenance.
Dirty Water
Your fish are as tired of dirty aquarium water as you are.
The best solution is a good quality filtration system. A freshwater aquarium filter reduces impurities, water discoloration and even odor. High levels of ammonia and ammonia nitrate, two common wastes found in aquarium water, can kill fish.  Fortunately reliable filtration systems are sold in all aquarium supply stores.
Be aware all power filters have to be cleaned regularly to be effective. Fortunately disposable filters make this a quick and easy task.  Many guides also recommend at least a 20% aquarium water change every few weeks.
Algae
Algae can ruin even the most beautiful freshwater aquarium. When algae shows up, it seems to be the first thing you see, even if a tank is filled with exotic and colorful fish.
Algae-free fish aquarium maintenance can be as simple as adding an algae eater to your aquarium collection. One or two Plecostomus sometimes called pleco or plecs, definitely won’t win any beauty contests but what they lack in looks, plecos more than make up in personality.
If an algae eater is not part of your aquarium community, you’ll have to remove the algae by hand. There are many tools available in stores or online. Be warned that cleaning an aquarium with anything not designed for this purpose can damage the tank or worse, harm your fish. Know what you need before buying any cleaning tools.
Keeping your aquarium out of direct sunlight is the simplest way to reduce algae growth. Algae thrive in as little as an hour of sunlight a day. When deciding your tank’s location keep this in mind if you wish to minimize the amount of cleaning it requires.
Odours or Cloudy Water
Strong, unpleasant odours are a sure sign something is wrong with your aquarium. After all, water itself does not smell. You need to find and remove the source quickly before it makes your fish sick. Common causes are uneaten food, high levels of ammonia or decaying plants.
Cloudy aquarium water is a sure sign of overfeeding. It’s the most common mistake made by new aquarium owners eager to keep their fish happy. It’s hard to accept your fish truly need only a small amount of food to thrive. The basic guideline is to feed fish only what they consume in 3-5 minutes, just once or twice a day.
Cleaning the Tank
Thoroughly cleaning your tank is a tedious but essential part of a healthy aquarium. At a minimum the gravel needs periodic cleaning to remove uneaten food and solid waste. A gravel vacuum makes this task easier. These come in various sizes to accommodate different types of tanks. Be sure to follow instructions properly when using one.
Algae should be removed with special sponges to avoid scratching the sides of your tank. Remove decorations and after soaking them in hot water, gently scrub to clean. Never use soap, as the residue will kill fish quickly.
When to Refill
Sometimes it is necessary to completely change the aquarium water.  If you have a large aquarium you might wonder how to change aquarium water? The most common method is to siphon out the water with a hose into a bucket.
When refilling your tank it is important to know the correct water temperature for freshwater aquarium fish in your collection.  Also be aware that tap water may need treatment with a dechlorinator to be safe for fish. This product is readily available at local pet stores.
To be successful with your aquarium take into consideration how much time and effort you wish to invest in fish aquarium maintenance. If you are a beginner, or do not have much time to spend on cleaning your tank, choose a simple setup to start with. You can always work towards more exotic collections as your time and interest permit.

Keeping your aquarium clean is a big challenge. The decision to buy a freshwater aquarium means making a commitment to fish aquarium maintenance. Even basic steps like aquarium water changes take time and some basic knowledge. With this in mind, here are the most common problems encountered in aquarium maintenance.

Dirty Water

Your fish are as tired of dirty aquarium water as you are.

The best solution is a good quality filtration system. A freshwater aquarium filter reduces impurities, water discoloration and even odor. High levels of ammonia and ammonia nitrate, two common wastes found in aquarium water, can kill fish.  Fortunately reliable filtration systems are sold in all aquarium supply stores.

Be aware all power filters have to be cleaned regularly to be effective. Fortunately disposable filters make this a quick and easy task.  Many guides also recommend at least a 20% aquarium water change every few weeks.

Algae

Algae can ruin even the most beautiful freshwater aquarium. When algae shows up, it seems to be the first thing you see, even if a tank is filled with exotic and colorful fish.

Algae-free fish aquarium maintenance can be as simple as adding an algae eater to your aquarium collection. One or two Plecostomus sometimes called pleco or plecs, definitely won’t win any beauty contests but what they lack in looks, plecos more than make up in personality.

If an algae eater is not part of your aquarium community, you’ll have to remove the algae by hand. There are many tools available in stores or online. Be warned that cleaning an aquarium with anything not designed for this purpose can damage the tank or worse, harm your fish. Know what you need before buying any cleaning tools.

Keeping your aquarium out of direct sunlight is the simplest way to reduce algae growth. Algae thrive in as little as an hour of sunlight a day. When deciding your tank’s location keep this in mind if you wish to minimize the amount of cleaning it requires.

Odours or Cloudy Water

Strong, unpleasant odours are a sure sign something is wrong with your aquarium. After all, water itself does not smell. You need to find and remove the source quickly before it makes your fish sick. Common causes are uneaten food, high levels of ammonia or decaying plants.

Cloudy aquarium water is a sure sign of overfeeding. It’s the most common mistake made by new aquarium owners eager to keep their fish happy. It’s hard to accept your fish truly need only a small amount of food to thrive. The basic guideline is to feed fish only what they consume in 3-5 minutes, just once or twice a day.

Cleaning the Tank

Thoroughly cleaning your tank is a tedious but essential part of a healthy aquarium. At a minimum the gravel needs periodic cleaning to remove uneaten food and solid waste. A gravel vacuum makes this task easier. These come in various sizes to accommodate different types of tanks. Be sure to follow instructions properly when using one.

Algae should be removed with special sponges to avoid scratching the sides of your tank. Remove decorations and after soaking them in hot water, gently scrub to clean. Never use soap, as the residue will kill fish quickly.

When to Refill

Sometimes it is necessary to completely change the aquarium water.  If you have a large aquarium you might wonder how to change aquarium water? The most common method is to siphon out the water with a hose into a bucket.

When refilling your tank it is important to know the correct water temperature for freshwater aquarium fish in your collection.  Also be aware that tap water may need treatment with a dechlorinator to be safe for fish. This product is readily available at local pet stores.

To be successful with your aquarium take into consideration how much time and effort you wish to invest in fish aquarium maintenance. If you are a beginner, or do not have much time to spend on cleaning your tank, choose a simple setup to start with. You can always work towards more exotic collections as your time and interest permit.

About me:  I have been  caring for freshwater fish for over 20 years. Signup for my 10-part freshwater fish aquariums  email course, where you’ll receive one email lesson per day. Click here to get your free freshwater fish aquarium  course today!