Reef Tank Maintenance Schedule

Keeping a new reef tank healthy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a simple, repeatable maintenance schedule, you’ll protect your corals, keep algae in check, and avoid the most common beginner mistakes. Use this beginner reef tank maintenance schedule as a practical roadmap you can adjust to your specific setup, livestock, and equipment.

Daily Reef Tank Maintenance

Your daily tasks are quick check-ins that help you catch problems early, before they become expensive disasters.

• Visual livestock check: Make sure fish are eating, breathing normally, and not hiding or gasping at the surface. Look for corals that are closed up, losing color, or receding.
• Equipment glance: Confirm your heater, return pump, and wavemakers are running. Check that your skimmer is producing foam and not overflowing.
• Temperature & salinity: Verify temperature with a thermometer and salinity with a refractometer or digital meter. A small swing today can become a big issue by the weekend.
• Top off evaporated water: If you don’t have an auto top-off (ATO), add fresh RO/DI water (never saltwater) to keep salinity stable.
• Feed lightly: Feed only what your fish will consume in 1–2 minutes. Overfeeding fuels algae and poor water quality.

For more help with early setup habits, see our guide on Beginner Reef Tank Setup.

Weekly Reef Tank Maintenance

Weekly tasks are the backbone of your reef tank maintenance schedule. Plan 30–45 minutes once a week.

Water Changes & Cleaning

• 10–15% water change: Mix and heat new saltwater at least 24 hours in advance. Match temperature and salinity to your display tank.
• Gravel vacuum & detritus removal: Gently siphon detritus from bare-bottom areas or the top layer of sand, especially in low-flow zones.
• Glass cleaning: Use an algae magnet or scraper on the display glass and a soft brush for corners and overflows.
• Filter media rinse: Rinse mechanical media (filter socks, sponges) in removed saltwater, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria.

Weekly Testing Routine

• Ammonia & nitrite: In the first 2–3 months, test weekly to ensure your biofilter is stable.
• Nitrate & phosphate: Aim for low but detectable levels; this helps prevent nuisance algae while still feeding corals.
• Alkalinity: Start testing weekly; stability here is critical for coral health and growth.

Tip: Log your test results. A simple notebook or spreadsheet helps you spot trends before they become problems.

To understand how these numbers affect your tank, check out our article on Reef Tank Water Parameters.

Monthly & Seasonal Reef Maintenance

Monthly and seasonal tasks keep your equipment running efficiently and your reef stable over the long term.

• Deep clean equipment: Soak pumps, wavemakers, and skimmer parts in a mild vinegar solution to remove calcium buildup, then rinse with fresh water.
• Check ATO & dosing: Inspect ATO sensors and lines for salt creep. If you dose alkalinity, calcium, or trace elements, verify that your dosing volumes still match coral consumption.
• Inspect plumbing & cords: Look for salt creep, loose fittings, or cracked hoses. Clean up cable runs and power strip areas.
• Light schedule review: Ensure your photoperiod and intensity are appropriate for your corals. Adjust slowly if you see bleaching or excessive algae.
• Full parameter check: In addition to weekly tests, run calcium, magnesium, and a full panel monthly to catch slow drifts.

As your corals grow, you may need to adjust this schedule. Our Coral Care for Beginners guide explains how coral growth changes your tank’s demand over time.

Putting It All Together

A beginner reef tank maintenance schedule doesn’t need to be complicated: quick daily checks, a focused weekly session, and a monthly tune-up are enough to keep most young reefs thriving. As you gain experience, you’ll fine-tune tasks based on your specific tank, but this routine gives you a solid, reliable foundation. Stay consistent, make small changes slowly, and your reef will reward you with stability, growth, and vibrant color.

Sources

• Borneman, E. H. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. TFH Publications.
• Sprung, J. & Delbeek, J. C. The Reef Aquarium series. Ricordea Publishing.
• Holmes-Farley, R. H. “Reef Aquarium Water Parameters” and related articles, archived hobbyist chemistry resources.