Reef Tank Maintenance Schedule

Jan 9, 2026

Keeping a thriving reef tank isn’t just about choosing beautiful fish and corals—it’s about building a realistic, repeatable maintenance schedule. A clear plan helps stabilize parameters, prevent algae outbreaks, and keep your reef looking vibrant for years.

Daily & Weekly Reef Tank Maintenance

Daily and weekly habits form the backbone of a healthy system. These small tasks prevent big problems later.

Daily Tasks (5–10 minutes)

Visual inspection: Check fish behavior, coral polyp extension, and any signs of stress or disease.
Top off evaporated water: Use fresh RO/DI water to maintain salinity. An auto top-off (ATO) helps, but still verify it’s working correctly.
Temperature & equipment check: Confirm heaters, return pumps, and wavemakers are running and the temperature is stable.
Feed carefully: Feed only what your fish and corals consume in a few minutes to avoid nutrient spikes.

Weekly Tasks (30–45 minutes)

Test key parameters: Check salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Log your results so you can spot trends.
Clean glass and overflow: Use an algae magnet on the display and remove buildup from the overflow teeth.
Light cleaning of equipment: Gently clean wavemaker guards and remove salt creep from cords and fittings.
Skimmer cup cleaning: Empty and rinse the collection cup to keep your protein skimmer efficient.

For a deeper dive on dialing in your parameters, see our guide on maintaining stable reef tank parameters.

Monthly & Quarterly Maintenance Schedule

Larger, less frequent jobs keep your reef system running smoothly and extend the life of your equipment.

Monthly Tasks

Water change (10–20%): Siphon detritus from the sump and low-flow areas of the display. Match temperature and salinity of new saltwater.
Deep clean powerheads: Soak in a mild vinegar solution, then scrub off calcium buildup and algae.
Inspect plumbing: Check for salt creep, slow leaks, or brittle tubing and replace parts as needed.
Review lighting schedule: Ensure your photoperiod and intensity still match coral needs as they grow.

Every 3–6 Months

Service return pump: Disassemble, remove debris and calcium deposits, and replace worn impellers or o-rings.
Replace or recharge media: Swap out carbon, GFO, or other media according to manufacturer recommendations.
Calibrate equipment: Recalibrate refractometers, pH probes, and dosing pumps for accurate readings and dosing.
Clean light fixtures and lenses: Dust and salt spray reduce PAR; a quick wipe can restore output.

If you’re planning a new system, our article on reef tank setup checklists can help you design maintenance-friendly plumbing and equipment layouts from the start.

Pro Tips for Sticking to Your Reef Tank Maintenance Schedule

Use a calendar or app: Schedule recurring reminders for testing, water changes, and equipment cleaning.
Batch tasks: Combine testing, glass cleaning, and a small water change into one weekly “reef night.”
Keep a logbook: Record parameters, livestock additions, and any issues. This makes troubleshooting far easier.
Prepare saltwater in advance: Mix and heat saltwater 24 hours before water changes to avoid last-minute delays.

Consistency matters more than perfection. A simple schedule that you actually follow will outperform a complex plan you can’t maintain.

With a realistic reef tank maintenance schedule, you’ll spend less time fighting problems and more time enjoying your corals and fish. Start with the daily and weekly tasks, add in monthly and quarterly routines, and adjust as your system matures. For help choosing gear that simplifies upkeep, check out our overview of essential reef tank equipment.