ROCK SOLID aquarium maintenance schedule.

[Woodyth]

Is there a step by step process (schedule) outlined to achieve the optimal marine aquarium? I know brs 365, but feel like that skips your day to day operations. Some have the luxury of just going to their local LFS and bouncing ideas off of their staff, some like me do not, so turn to forums and websites for answers. I was thinking of like "this day do this, every x days this needs to be done" Maybe I haven't researched it far enough yet, but compiling a day by day process or schedule to when keeper should be doing what, would make sense. I know some things are pretty obvious, but I feel like I may have missed some in my first 6 months of doing this. Calling it something like "after the cycle"

thoughts?

 

[Eleni18]

What I do
Every day
Feed, check all fish and corals are there and Ok
check all technical equipment is working properly
Every other day or 2-3 days
Wipe off algae on glass
Weekly
empty skimmer cup
rinse off sponges, filters etc
blow off rocks
feed anemones
Every two weeks
water change (15-20%)
clean sand/substrate
Monthly
Clean skimmer/pumps
clean powerheads/pipes
replace carbon and other media

 

[New&no clue]

I had the same questions here is a thread on it you might find useful

Let's talk about tank maintenance

My current tank has been up and running for 4 months and I think I've been neglecting some basic maintenance items, but I'm not sure what needs to be cleaned, how often, and the best approach. Looking around the site I haven't found a comprehensive list of all tank maintenance that should be...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Woodyth]

New, That was helpful! I was thinking of having a sticky or something of the sort of a schedule :)

 

[New&no clue]

That would be nice. It’s like you get the tank up and going and then you’re sitting there thinking “okay, now what? Am I missing something?”

 

[reefpunk707]

I use an app. Has reminders you can set and you can log your water test results. There are several different apps

 

[mike550]

My schedule is similar to @Eleni18 but I water test every three days. I also change filter sock and ATO water level on the same cycle. I also double check everything in the sump just to make sure all looks good.

i don’t schedule daily tasks, but things that repeat every three days, weekend, every two weeks etc I just schedule Reminders on my iPhone. The repeat is nice because if I miss a day it just carries over. It also sets up the next time I do the task based on when I complete it. @reefpunk707 what App do you use?

I also keep an old school written log so I have historical info. Not just water tests and changes but also when I add certain things, change dosing, lighting, etc.

@New&no clue thanks for sharing the other thread!

 

[reefpunk707]

My schedule is similar to @Eleni18 but I water test every three days. I also change filter sock and ATO water level on the same cycle. I also double check everything in the sump just to make sure all looks good.

i don’t schedule daily tasks, but things that repeat every three days, weekend, every two weeks etc I just schedule Reminders on my iPhone. The repeat is nice because if I miss a day it just carries over. It also sets up the next time I do the task based on when I complete it. @reefpunk707 what App do you use?

I also keep an old school written log so I have historical info. Not just water tests and changes but also when I add certain things, change dosing, lighting, etc.

@New&no clue thanks for sharing the other thread!

It's called aquarium note. Its free and has some pretty handy features. You can set up multiple tanks on there too.

 

[mike550]

It's called aquarium note. Its free and has some pretty handy features. You can set up multiple tanks on there too.

Of course I just looked for Aquarium Note. That’s a Google App, I have an iPhone. Figures. Thanks though

 

[LesPoissons]

What I do
Every day
Feed, check all fish and corals are there and Ok
check all technical equipment is working properly
Every other day or 2-3 days
Wipe off algae on glass
Weekly
empty skimmer cup
rinse off sponges, filters etc
blow off rocks
feed anemones
Every two weeks
water change (15-20%)
clean sand/substrate
Monthly
Clean skimmer/pumps
clean powerheads/pipes
replace carbon and other media

that sounds like a pretty awesome write up

 

[j0359m]

there’s log app called aquaticlog, it’s free now for everyone & has all u will ever need

 

[jerrod]

You forgot my daily step do something in the tank and drip water and clean glass again!

 

[lapin]

I try to be good and manage to do most things required each day.
The main thing for me is looking at the tank, sump, reactors and other equipment, to be sure nothing is a miss. Along with the probe readings.
I thought about a log book /schedule like when I was training, but never got around to it.

 

[New&no clue]

have an iPhone. Figures. Thanks though

I have an iPhone too I use Aquarimate. You can track parameters set up tasks with reminds upload progress photos and have multiple tanks.

 

[Ferrell]

I use the apex calendar for maintenance reminders for:
6 gal water change every sunday
Change socks every 3 days
Clean power heads every month
Clean skimmer body and return pump every six months and vacuum sump

Clean glass as needed
Dump skimmer cup as needed
Fill ato reservoir nightly

 

[Sallstrom]

Before you can do a schedule you need to learn what type of tank you are handling. Some are changing fast, some are not. Some equipment malfunctioning more often than other. So just copy another tanks schedule doesn't work that well IMO. It need to be adjusted now and then, depening on the tank.

Just following a schedule without acting on changes and changing in the schedules is a common cause of "tank crasches" amoung public aquariums during holiday seasons :)
/ public aquarium aquarist

Edit. Maybe that came out wrong. Schedules are great and they are necessary IMO. Just keep up with changes and change in the schedules when needed.

 

[New&no clue]

Edit. Maybe that came out wrong. Schedules are great and they are necessary IMO. Just keep up with changes and change in the schedules when needed.

I agree the schedule has to grow with the tank, at the start you may need to only empty a skimmer cup once a week because you don't have many fish and aren't feeding much, as your tank grows that skimmer may need to be emptied more often.

Same with dosing. In the beginning you wont need to dose, but as you add corals, and those corals grow that will have to be added on.

Also equipment that worked fine in the beginning now is starting to have hiccups and needs to be checked more regularly.

Start with the basics
Water Change
Clean equipment
Change/Empty skimmers, socks, carbon, GFO, etc...

Then as you work with your tank you will add on new items, change the frequency of the basics, and find a system that works for you.

 

[Sallstrom]

This might give more ideas :)

The Benefits of Taking Careful Notes

The benefits of taking notes when you have a saltwater aquarium.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Uptown_Reef_Keeper]

Of course I just looked for Aquarium Note. That’s a Google App, I have an iPhone. Figures. Thanks though

I have an iPhone and use ReefTrace. Its great for tracking water parameters and setting reminders.

 

[John Hernandez]

I have an iPhone too I use Aquarimate. You can track parameters set up tasks with reminds upload progress photos and have multiple tanks.

Love this app!! To me it is a must. I have tried the others but this one works best for me. :)

Also if you have an Apex with Trident you can link and download results.