Maintaining the Water in a Saltwater Aquarium

Water maintenance is one of the easiest ways to keep a healthy, stable environment for your marine life. Frequent small water changes are better than infrequent large water changes. Most experts recommend changing about 10 percent of the water every two weeks. In a very large aquarium, a monthly water change might do the trick but a biweekly schedule is even better.

Changing the water in a saltwater tank is a little more complicated than in a freshwater tank, but it is much easier than it was in the past. One-step salt mixes are now widely available, making it easy and inexpensive to perform as many water changes as necessary.

When performing a water change, disconnect all power sources to your tank. Then remove and clean the cover glass and any glass panels. Siphon out at least 10 percent of the existing water into a bucket and then rinse the filter media in the same bucket. This is also a good time to clean and rinse the hoses, pumps, or other attachments using the aquarium water. Clean any “salt creep” from the top edges of the aquarium. Using a commercial salt mix plus dechlorinated tap water, mix up a batch of new saltwater. Once you’re sure that the temperature and salinity of the new water match that of the current aquarium water, slowly add the replacement water to the tank. When finished, turn the power back on and return the cover glass.

DAILY

Each day, it’s a good idea to check the water temperature and adjust, if necessary. Make sure that all equipment is running efficiently, clean off any “salt creep,” top off the water lost to evaporation, and check your marine life for signs of distress or disease. Also, remove any uneaten food before it decays.

WEEKLY

Every week, test the water for nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia. Rinse off the filters to remove clogs of uneaten food or debris. Scrape off any algae from the front of the tank.

BIWEEKLY

At least every two weeks, perform a 10 percent water change and carefully vacuum the substrate (material on the tank bottom). A few days before or after a water change, remove and/or replace any mechanical filtration media. Clean the cover glass, and remove any salt buildup, calcium deposits, and dirt. This will allow more natural light to shine through the glass as well as improve the overall look of your aquarium. Check power sources and make sure they are free of any “salt creep.”