aquarium Decorations
Cleaning and Maintaining a Saltwater Aquarium
In order to keep saltwater fish tanks healthy, clean and attractive, the owner must be committed to doing the work that's required. Aquariums come in a variety of sizes and styles, and the simpler your setup, the easier it will be to maintain. Videos available on the internet instruct their viewers on the proper cleaning and maintenance techniques for a saltwater tank. The main issues are algae growing on the glass and food particles and other debris that settles into the gravel or sand (the substrate) at the bottom of the tank. The aquarium's filters must also be cleaned on a regular basis.
Assemble the needed item needed to complete the job, before starting. One requirement is a large pail or a smaller alternate temporary aquarium if the intent is to remove the fish. This is not required though unless the tank has gotten extremely dirty or contaminated. If removing the fish, it is recommended to take out up to 25% of the water in order to reduce the amount of contaminants. Use some of this water in your temporary container to put your fish in while you clean.
Turn off the heater and let it cool down before removing to avoid breakage because of a sudden temperature change. This only has to be taken out if it has become dirty and you want to clean it to keep it running efficiently. Cleaning the inside of the glass is done in a couple of different ways, such as with a sponge that has a long enough handle to do the job; Scrapers can be used if the algae is bad enough but be careful not to scratch the glass. Cleaning the debris/food residue, etc from the gravel/sand bottom (substrate) is done with a siphon. This can be manually or with a pump attached. These are purchased at the aquarium store and if you are a newby, ask for a demonstration for clarification of method and use. Once the siphon is activated, push the large tube into the grave/sand and wiggle it slightly. This stirs up the debris which will be sucked up through the siphon and into whatever container is being used to hold the dirty water. Be careful not to suck up any of the living inhabitants of the tank.
Lift and re-insert the siphon into various areas of the substrate until most of the tank's bottom has been cleaned. If your aquarium isn't too large, you can temporarily remove your decorations and rocks to give yourself better access to the substrate. Just replace them after you've cleaned that area. This is also a good time to rearrange things if you wish, although you should be careful to avoid disturbing the roots of any plants in your tank.
After your aquarium is clean, the next task is to clean the filters. Remove the foam pads, clean them with de-chlorinated water, and then replace them. Removing as much as 25% of the water in the tank is a quick, effective way to reduce the amount of contaminants in your aquarium. When you add fresh water to your salt water aquarium, always use water that's been de-chlorinated and is the same temperature as the water that's already inside. You'll also want to make sure the new water has the proper salt density. Mix the salt into the water thoroughly and use a tester to ensure the salt content is 1.025. Slowly add it to the aquarium so you don't disturb the environment or the fish themselves.
Maintaining a saltwater aquarium should only take 60 to 90 minutes every week or two. Watch your fish closely for sluggishness or signs of disease, and separate any unhealthy fish as quickly as possible to try to prevent the remaining fish from falling ill. Brushing the tank's glass and filter will reduce the number of times a major cleaning will be necessary. If you find a lot of uneaten food on the bottom of your aquarium, reduce the amount of food you give to your fish. They don't eat a lot, but they do prefer smaller but more frequent feedings. Larger, more diverse salt water setups like reef aquariums need highly advanced filtration systems. You might need to hire a professional to do a major cleaning if you have one of these systems. Maintain your tank on a regular basis and you'll keep your fish healthy, colorful and enjoyable to watch.
About the author:
John Edwards is an tropical fish enthusiast with 15 years of experience in studying tropical fish. He has many aquariums filled with some of the rarest and most beautiful tropical fish in the world.
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