How Often Are Saltwater Pump Changes Needed?

While keeping vibrant tropical fish can be rewarding, their saltwater tanks require much more maintenance than freshwater ones. Saltwater fish need an environment that mirrors their natural ocean environment as closely as possible. Periodically clean or change the air pump or power head to ensure that your saltwater aquarium stays properly aerated.

  1. Aeration's Importance to Saltwater Tanks

    • Aeration, the process of adding oxygen into your aquarium, is an important part of maintaining the oceanlike environment for saltwater fish. By aerating your tank and distributing oxygen throughout the water, you help deliver food, sweep away waste and regulate your fish̵7;s internal circulation. An air pump or power head that circulates the water helps maintain a constant temperature throughout the aquarium.

    All Saltwater Tanks Need Aeration

    • All saltwater tanks need some kind of device to aerate the water, as water with low oxygen can be dangerous to your fish's health. Conventional air pumps are fairly standard with saltwater tanks, though many newer tanks use power heads, a newer kind of compact pump. Power heads do the same thing air pumps do, introducing air into the water to keep it oxygenated. Power heads can create currents similar to those saltwater fish would experience in their natural ocean habitat.

    Maintaining an Air Pump or Power Head

    • Jeff Kurtz, a writer for "Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine," recommends cleaning saltwater aquarium components like the protein skimmer, return pump, heater, hoses and power heads a couple times per month. You should not need to replace an air pump or power head unless the component stops working. Provided your device is functioning well, you can clean it by scrubbing with aquarium brushes, which you can find at most pet stores. If one of the pumps seems to be particularly encrusted in grime, you can take it out and soak it in white vinegar, then try scrubbing it. Rinse it well before putting it back in the tank.

    Knowing When to Change a Pump

    • Saltwater fish rely on the constant water movement created by an air pump or power head, so regularly inspect all pumps and components that water passes through to make sure no blockages or cracks exist. If you do spot a blockage in a component, take it out and clean it. If a pump appears to be cracked, replace it with a new one. It is a good idea to keep a backup pump on hand so you can quickly replace a broken one if necessary.