These are some of the steps required to maintain an aquarium.
1.Do not keep more fish on the tank and give enough space for them to move around.
2.Have bigger tanks as they need less maintenance than smaller tanks.
3.Keep only those species of fishes which live in harmony and observe the fishes regularly for any changes in their condition and health.
4.Provide the correct type of food for your fish.
5.Do not feed more than what is required for the fish as the excess food dissolves in water and makes it cloudy.
6.The digested fish food waste produces toxic ammonia which kills fishes most of the time. Use biological filter to convert this harmful ammonia into harmless nitrate.
7.Replace the water in the aquarium atleast every alternate week with dechlorinated water at the same temperature.
8.Change water partially (10 – 20 %) every week.
9.Keep the water clean by using a mechanical filter and clean the filter regularly.
10.Maintain the temperature in the aqarium at the optimum level by using heater if required.
11.Use florescent lights on the fish tank as they do not overheat the tank or cause stress to the fish.
12.Use air pump to produce air bubbles to circulate the water in the fish tank. The bubbles will break the surface tension of water and increase the exchange of oxygen and carbon-di-oxide between atmosphere and water in the tank.
13.Fill gravel on the aquarium to prevent algae and waste from settling at the bottom and clean the gravel using a gravel cleaner once in a month.
14.Aquatic plants control the growth of algae in the fish tank by utilising the nutrients. Aquatic plants gives a natural look and fishes feel more secured among plants.
15.Clean the algae from the inner sides of the tank using brush.
16.Do not use soap to clean the fish tank.
17.Replace the filter pads / cartridges in chemical filter used to remove organic substances, once every month.