Cleaning and caring for an aquarium are often a neglected part of ownership, but they are important for both the aquarium's appearance and for the health of the fish. Having a scheduled program of aquarium care will help keep the aquarium clean and healthy, as well as attractive.

Aquarium cleaning routines should be carried out daily, weekly, and monthly. Following a scheduled maintenance program will assure you of having an aquarium in which you can be proud.

Things to be done daily:

Each day, check the water temperature to be sure that it remains constant and that your heater, if you use one, isn't failing. Maintaining an average temperature of about 77 degrees Fahrenheit is important for the survival of freshwater, tropical fish. Cooler temperatures can pose a danger to the fish and warmer temperatures will promote excessive algal growth. Besides the heater, be sure the pump and filter are working properly. Also check for and remove any sick or dead fish since these can threaten the health of the rest of the aquarium.

Things to be done weekly:

Every week, use a siphon tube to remove waste from the the gravel's surface. Replace any water removed during this cleaning process to maintain a consistent level. Even in small amounts, it's probably best that water for replacement is free of any chlorine or chloramine used in water treatment. Test pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels and add any chemicals needed to maintain proper pH or to eliminate ammonia, and nitrates. This is also the time to trim any live plants that might be growing too large and to remove any dead or dying leaves. Any new sprouts from your plants should be anchored in the aquarium gravel.

Things to be done monthly:

Each month, the aquarium should be given a partial water change to help maintain cleanliness and a safe environment for the fish. To do this, remove approximately 20 to 25 percent of the tank's water with a siphon hose. Replace this with water that has been aged appropriately (if chloramine is used for treatment by your municipality, aging can take a week or more, even with aeration) or treat the water with chemicals designed to counter these. Use this link to learn more about chloramine. Check the pH of the aquarium and be sure the chemical balance in your aquarium is correct and that any chlorine or ammonia levels are safely within the tolerance range for these substances. Clean the filter and change the filter cartridge, but don't clean the filter so thoroughly that you remove all the bacteria required for the nitrogen cycle and your aquarium's stability.

For algae problems:

For aquariums showing a significant amount of algal growth, consider adding an algae eater to the aquarium. If you already have one, check that the water temperature is not too high and that the tank is not in direct sunlight. Limiting the time during which the aquarium light is used can also help control algae, since both heat and light will influence how quickly algae will grow.

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Larry Stepanowicz has been a lifetime enthusiast of both aquatic and marine life. Visit his Aquariums store for a wide selection of aquariums and supplies of all kinds at great prices.