How to Maintain a Salt Water Fish Tank

Owning a saltwater tank can make your environment peaceful and serene. Maintaining your tank might take some getting used to, but in the long run, you’ll have a system that is easy to run and that looks pristine and breathtaking. There is maintenance you should do by the week and by the month to preserve your tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Dechlorinator
  • Bleach
  • Thermometer
  • Bucket
  • Cleaning equipment such as a cleaning brush
  • Salt (for doing monthly water change)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep water topped off. The water in your tank will evaporate with time. This can cause issues with your equipment and cause annoying noise from the water running into the tank from your filters. Every week you should top off your water by using a dechlorinator and filling a pitcher up with water. Dechlorinators are solutions that remove the chlorine from your water, making it safe to use in your tank. Never top off your water with just plain tap water; always use a dechlorinator.

    • 2

      Check your equipment. Make sure that all of your equipment is running properly. Filters, pumps, aeration and other equipment can stop working. If this happens, you can lose expensive fish, corals and invertebrates. Always make certain that your equipment is in working order.

    • 3

      Make sure your water temperature is at an ideal temperature for your fish. A cold snap or a loss of air conditioning in the summer can drastically change the temperature in your tank and cause the loss of fish. You can buy a thermometer for your aquarium quite inexpensively, and some even stay right on the tank glass for you to read at any time.

    • 4

      Clean up your algae. Algae on the glass or on your tank items can look unsightly and damage the ecosystem in your tank. Scrape the sides of your tank glass. For items in your tank, remove them and put them into a bucket with a little bleach for approximately 24 hours. After they are clean, remove and rinse well. Before you put them back into your tank, let them dry in the sun for another 24 hours.

    • 5

      Remove your filters and change out any carbon or filter media, rinsing the filter well after you are done. Add new media and reinsert back into your tank.

    • 6

      Clean your lights and glass, which can get salt deposits, and once they build up, it can be hard to clean. If you do this weekly, it will be easier to maintain and much less of a chore.

    • 7

      Do monthly maintenance, which includes the above tasks, but do a partial water change instead of topping off your water. Remove approximately 10 to 20 percent of your water and discard. Mix new saltwater and add this slowly back to your tank. It keeps your tank cleaner and your ecosystem running smoothly. Monthly maintenance also includes cleaning all equipment and accessories.