Fish tank maintenance is perhaps the most important responsibility a fish owner can have. Ensuring that your aquarium remains clean, that the water is healthy, and that your fish have a safe environment in which to thrive is a big task, but it's one that, with diligent maintenance and accepted responsibility, can be ultimately rewarding.
There are several components to fish tank maintenance, the first of which is perhaps the most obvious: keeping the tank clean. As a general rule, aquarium owners should replace at least one-fourth of their tank's water each and every week-whether it appears to need it or not. This will ensure that the water stays as healthy as possible.
On a regular basis, even as often as once a day, you should check the pH and chemical levels of your aquarium as part of your fish tank maintenance. Be sure to have plenty of water testing kits on hand; the manufacturer's instructions provided with them should be able to easily walk you through the testing process, including what to look for and what optimum levels your tank should be operating on. Any variations in pH levels, as well as levels of harmful substances such as ammonia (which is excreted in your fish's waste), nitrates, and nitrates can be harmful-if not fatal-to your fish.
Also, be sure to have some way to circulate the water, and ensure it's properly oxygenated and aerated. If you have a tight-fitting cover on your tank, you'll probably need to invest in some sort of water pump aeration system to help aid your tank achieve natural water flow. Stagnant water is extremely dangerous to your fish; ensuring proper aeration and oxygenation should therefore become a standard part of your fish tank maintenance routine.
If you have live plants in your aquarium, the care and tending of them will also be included in your regular fish tank maintenance. You will need to prune and tend to the plants just as you would an outdoor garden, giving the plants the care and attention they need with which to survive and thrive with your fish and other aquatic life.
Lastly, be sure to never overfeed your fish. This is not only unhealthy for your fish's biology, but will also provide the means for dangerous ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels. Never feed your fish more than what they can eat in five minutes (maximum) during any one feeding, and feed them only twice a day.
The same goes for stocking your tank; never fill it with more fish than the standard recommendation of one fish per every one gallon of water. Again, too many fish equals too much ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites-chemicals which are extremely harmful, and sometimes fatal, to your fish and other aquatic animals.
The basics of fish tank maintenance all come together to form one central purpose: to create the healthiest, safest environment for your fish. Regular fish tank maintenance and care is the only surefire way to ensure that your fish remain safe and healthy, and that your aquarium stays beautiful, enjoyable, and rewarding.
