Aquarium maintenance: build a routine you can keep

Good maintenance starts with knowing what is normal in your aquarium. Choose a regular moment for a quiet check. A journal can be simple: dates, measurements and tasks in a notebook are enough. Care becomes a habit rather than a major clean-up after trouble appears.

Daily: observe before changing things

Spend time watching the animals and check that equipment is running. Record anything unusual, such as a change in outlet flow or behaviour. Write specific observations: “stays behind the wood” is more useful than “acts strangely”. A short video can help a knowledgeable adviser understand your concern.

Weekly: test and compare

Check water quality regularly. Adapt partial water changes to stocking. Ensure replacement water suits your animals and treat chlorine or chloramine where necessary; this varies by region. Read more about water and maintenance in LICG’s guide (Dutch).

Record the units and test used alongside each result. Follow the reading time on the label and check expiry dates. If a colour is unclear, repeat the test as instructed or have a sample checked. Avoid blindly adding several treatments.

Prepare a dedicated care kit

Keep a bucket, hose, cloth and suitable cleaning tools exclusively for the aquarium. Store manuals and model numbers with them. Prepare everything before starting and write a short task sequence. Follow electrical equipment instructions for shutdown, cooling and restarting.

• Record measurements before maintenance.
• Write down water quantities changed and anything added.
• Finish one task before moving to the next.
• Check water level, connections and operation afterwards.

Keep a journal that answers questions

Use five columns: date, observation, measurement, action and follow-up. Record hose cleaning or timer adjustments, for example. Before buying something new, look back: what problem are you trying to solve? These notes help you ask a focused question.

If an animal appears clearly ill or suddenly distressed, do not wait for the next scheduled maintenance day. Seek appropriate expert help promptly and share recent measurements and observations.