maintenance schedule
🗓️ Reef Tank Maintenance Schedule
🔍 Daily Tasks (5–10 minutes)
- Visual Inspection: Check fish behavior, coral health, water clarity, and signs of pests or algae.
- Feeding: Feed fish and corals appropriately. Avoid overfeeding to control nutrient levels.
- Top-Off Water: Replace evaporated water to maintain salinity (unless using an auto top-off system).
- Equipment Check: Ensure heaters, pumps, lights, and skimmers are functioning properly.
- Glass Cleaning: Use a magnetic cleaner to remove algae from the tank walls.
📅 Weekly Tasks
- Water Testing: Monitor key parameters:
- Salinity: 1.026 SG
- Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
- Calcium: 380–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1200–1400 ppm
- Nitrate: 1–10 ppm
- Phosphate: 0.01–0.03 ppm
- Water Change: Replace 10–20% of tank water to remove waste and replenish trace elements.
- Filter Maintenance: Rinse or replace mechanical filters and clean protein skimmers.
- Coral & Rock Cleaning: Gently remove detritus or algae buildup.
🗓️ Monthly Tasks
- Deep Equipment Cleaning: Soak pumps, powerheads, and skimmers in vinegar solution to remove calcium buildup.
- Inventory Check: Restock test kits, food, and additives.
- Lighting Review: Inspect bulbs or LEDs for wear and adjust photoperiod if needed.
🧠 Pro Tips
- Use a digital or printable checklist to stay organized (Nano Reef Adviser’s guide is a great start).
- Spread tasks across the week to avoid burnout—Bulk Reef Supply’s 7-day checklist is a smart approach.
- Keep a log of water parameters and livestock behavior to spot trends or issues early.
