A steady reef tank runs on routine. A clear aquarium maintenance schedule prevents algae, disease, and crashes. It also makes your work smaller each week.
Build a schedule around stability
Start with your tank size, bioload, and gear. A 20-gallon nano needs faster corrections. A 120-gallon reef changes slower. Your goal is stable salinity, temperature, and nutrients.
Set target parameters and write them down. Keep salinity at 1.025 to 1.026 SG. Keep temperature at 77 to 79°F. Aim for alkalinity 8 to 9 dKH, calcium 400 to 450 ppm, and magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm.
Pick test days and stick to them. Test alkalinity two to three times weekly in SPS tanks. Test weekly in soft coral tanks. Log results in a notebook or app.
Use reminders for repeat tasks. Tie tasks to habits like feeding time. If you need a baseline, review our reef tank water parameters guide. It helps you set realistic targets.
- Daily: check temp, fish behavior, and equipment noise
- Weekly: test key parameters and clean glass
- Monthly: service pumps, inspect hoses, and deep clean filters
Daily and weekly tasks that prevent most problems
Daily checks catch issues early. Confirm the heater and ATO work. Look for rapid breathing, flashing, or closed polyps. These signs often appear before test kits show a change.
Feed with purpose and measure portions. Offer small meals one to two times daily. Remove uneaten food after five minutes. Overfeeding is a top cause of nitrate spikes.
Each week, do a water change that matches your system. Many mixed reefs do 10% weekly. Heavier stocked tanks may need 15% weekly. Match salinity within 0.001 SG and temperature within 1°F.
Clean the glass and empty the skimmer cup weekly. Rinse filter socks or floss every two to three days. If you run carbon, replace it every two to four weeks. For step-by-step water change help, see how to do a reef tank water change.
- Mix saltwater for at least 4 to 12 hours with heat and flow
- Vacuum detritus from one small area each week
- Test nitrate and phosphate before and after changes for trends
Monthly and quarterly maintenance for long-term success
Monthly work protects flow and oxygen. Soak powerheads and pump parts in citric acid. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon of warm water. Rinse well and reassemble with clean O-rings.
Calibrate probes and check dosing accuracy. Calibrate pH probes monthly if you rely on them. Verify refractometers with 35 ppt calibration fluid. Replace RO/DI prefilters when pressure drops or TDS rises.
Quarterly, inspect the sump and plumbing. Look for salt creep and micro leaks. Replace brittle tubing and worn check valves. Clean the overflow teeth and return chamber to keep stable water level.
Troubleshoot common schedule failures fast. If nitrate climbs above 20 ppm, cut feeding by 20% for two weeks. Increase water changes to 15% weekly. Add or refresh biological media if needed.
- Cloudy water: change carbon, clean socks, and reduce feeding
- Algae surge: test phosphate, aim for 0.03 to 0.10 ppm
- Low alkalinity: increase dosing by 5 to 10% and retest next day
A good aquarium maintenance schedule should feel boring. That is a compliment in reef keeping. If you want a printable checklist, start with our reef tank maintenance checklist and adjust it to your tank.
Sources: Instant Ocean Sea Salt Instructions; Red Sea Reef Care Program Guidelines; Randy Holmes-Farley, “Reef Aquarium Water Parameters” (compiled reef chemistry guidance)
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