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Maintenance

Once your aquarium has been set up, it will need regular maintenance to keep it in perfect condition. It is worth keeping on top of maintaining the tank at all times, or your fish, plant and other occupants will start to suffer, and this will only cause more work for you in the future. If you do not feel able to keep up the level of maintenance as shown on this page, it is probably not advisable to keep fish, as they require just as much attention as all other pets, if not more so.
Daily:
Before switching on the lights of the tank, allow some daylight to enter the room, to give the fish a natural daybreak. If this is not possible, switch on the lights in the room several minutes before the tank lights are put on.
Check water temperature- adjust if necessary.
Check for any injured or ill fish, if necessary remove to quarantine tank or treat tank for disease. If any dead fish are found, remove straight away, as they may infect other fish.
Feed fish in the morning- remember to give nocturnal fish a feeding before dark.
Check filter flow.
Weekly:
Check all electrical equipment for faults.
Stock up on any supplies, i.e. food and medicines.
Check all levels of pH, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia. If levels are high carry out gradual, but large water changes, i.e. 25% every third day. Check with local aquatic stare for any other treatments and advice that may work.
Fortnightly:

Remove any dead leaves from plants. Replace plants when decayed.
Remove algae from the front of the tank using a specially designed scraper.
Clean the substrate using a gravel cleaner. This is a relatively cheap piece of equipment, that work by using the air supply from an air pump.
Carry out a water change. Remove 20% of the water and replace with fresh water. When adding new water to the aquarium, it is a good idea to treat it with a water condition to remove unwanted elements, such as metals. Take this opportunity to add any addition treatments to the aquarium, such as fertilizers and tonic salts.
Remember to disconnect all electrical equipment before taking things in and out of the tank.
Monthly:
Rinse filter material out, if possible using aquarium water, so as not to kill vital bacteria.
Clean the condensation tray.

If necessary, clean any equipment, such as air stones and heaters.

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