Daily Checks
A quick daily assessment takes less than five minutes but prevents major disasters. Check the thermometer to ensure the heater is functioning correctly. Observe the fish during feeding: are they active, eating well, and breathing normally? Check that the filter is flowing freely and that there are no leaks around the tank seams or equipment.
Weekly Routine
The core of aquarium maintenance is the weekly partial water change. Typically, 15% to 25% of the water should be removed using a gravel siphon, which vacuums detritus and fish waste from the substrate. Clean the inside glass with an algae scraper or magnetic cleaner. Always refill the tank with temperature-matched water treated with a dechlorinator.
Monthly Checks
Once a month, inspect the mechanical filter. Filter sponges or media will become clogged with physical debris, reducing water flow. Crucially, filter media must only be rinsed gently in a bucket of old aquarium water drawn during a water change. Rinsing media under unchlorinated tap water will destroy the beneficial bacteria essential for the nitrogen cycle.