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Marine Aquarium Care
It is especially important to concentrate on two areas of regular maintenance - equipment and water quality. Check the equipment regularly. Replace fluorescent tubes on a regular basis to maintain light levels in the aquarium, and check and overhaul the air pumps, power heads and power filters to a predetermined maintenance schedule. Always keep a supply of spare parts, such as diaphragms, rotors and sealing rings, for these vital pieces of equipment. Check heaters for accuracy, replace air stones at the first sign of blocking, and clean or replace the filter medium as necessary. When the aquarium is first established, we assume that the water quality is at its optimum. Certain parameters can be measured-equipment or kits are available for determining temperature, specific gravity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and oxygen levels. There are many more components to keep track of, but these are beyond the hobbyist's scope. Experience has shown, however, that if the measurable parameters are all in order, then the tank's well-being is virtually assured. The first step, therefore, is to buy and use reliable kits and testing equipment. The very minimum equipments would be thermometer, a hydrometer (used for determining specific gravity), plus nitrite, nitrate and pH test kits. Keep a log and take action at the slightest deterioration in standards. It is vital to maintain a testing regime, so that the various readings are correct on a consistent basis; it is too late to take corrective action when the pH value of the water, for example, has strayed out of the range 8.1-8.3. The simple, all-embracing way to maintain water quality is to institute a regular regime of partial water changes. An average of 10 percent per week is the ideal, but so many factors will have an effect on the percentage, such as size of tank, sophistication of filtering equipment, number of fish, and primarily, of course, the amount of food introduced. Before adding new water to the aquarium, premix it to the correct salinity and temperature, and then aerate it for a few hours before use. To remove the appropriate amount of water from the aquarium, use a siphon tube fitted with a gravel washer attachment. Dig this through the sand to remove all sludge and detritus. As part of this regular maintenance routine, keep the cover glass clean and make sure that you keep the front glass of the aquarium clear of algae. Maintenance check list 1. Check your aquarium water on regular basis, so that you can keep it in top condition all the time. 2. Maintain the pH value of the watering the range 8.1-8.3 3. Always keep the specific gravity between 1.019 and 1.021 4. Never allow any nitrite to appear, nor allow nitrates to exceed 30ppm (parts per million/equivalent to milligrams per liter). 5. Be sure to carry out regular water changes (a minimum of the equivalent of 25 percent per month). 6. Keep your fluorescent tubes fresh 7. Always have a ready supply of replacement air diffusers. Never be tempted to add seafood in the aquarium, such as prawns and mussels, including live wild shrimps. 8. Check and replace filter media when necessary to maintain efficiency Try to dedicate some time to provide stable environment for your marine aquarium. You should establish routine aquarium maintenance care by setting proper schedule as it gives an opportunity to catch the problems related to aquarium quickly. By following routine maintenance, you can keep your aquarium in proper shape. Right from cleaning the filter and other equipment, till testing the water and addressing other water quality issues are some jobs which you should perform everyday for proper maintenance.
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