Welcome to this episode of Aquarist's Edge, where host Arthur Preston dives into the essentials of tank maintenance for both new and experienced aquarium enthusiasts. He shares the wisdom gathered from managing 30 different tanks, discussing how routine maintenance is crucial for a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Arthur explores the balance between natural and pristine aquarium aesthetics, sharing advice on setting maintenance schedules appropriate for different types of tanks. Whether it's routine water changes or mastering sponge filter efficiency, Arthur offers practical tips for every aquarist.
Listen now to learn how to maintain your aquarium joyfully without it becoming an onerous task, and remember, maintenance is not just a task, it's a key part of aquarium keeping.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 Welcome to this episode of the Aquarist's Edge, a podcast for home aquarists just like you.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:11 Learn more about how to keep a thriving aquarium and discover ideas and tips
00:00:11 --> 00:00:12 to give your aquarium the edge.
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 And now, over to our host, Arthur Preston.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:23 Whether you are a brand new beginner aquarium keeper, or whether you've been
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 keeping fish and aquatic animals for many years,
00:00:26 --> 00:00:30 one of the things that we all have to get involved with is tank maintenance.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 And it's one of those things that we just have to do we need
00:00:34 --> 00:00:38 to make sure that our tanks are kept clean to make sure that our inhabitants of
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 our tanks are healthy and people have
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 various ways of doing this there are some people who have beautiful pristine
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 show tanks everywhere you look and then you have those who have
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 a slightly different approach and i guess
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 it all depends on what you're wanting out of your tank and what
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 you look wanting out of the hobby however what is true
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 is that no matter what approach you take keeping
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 your fish healthy and the living things in your aquarium well looked
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 after has got to be a top priority and whether
00:01:05 --> 00:01:08 you have a pristine show tank or have a more natural look
00:01:08 --> 00:01:13 whatever aesthetic you're going for what doesn't change is the fact that there
00:01:13 --> 00:01:17 needs to be some form of maintenance on a fairly regular basis so in this episode
00:01:17 --> 00:01:21 of the aquarist edge i'm going to explore some ideas some thoughts around maintenance
00:01:21 --> 00:01:26 in tanks and hopefully you can take something out of this as well.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 So currently I have about 30 tanks that I have maintained and some people might
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 think well that's a heck of a lot of tanks and other people are going to think
00:01:35 --> 00:01:36 well that's not really many at all.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 Well whatever it is whatever your particular viewpoint is what doesn't change
00:01:40 --> 00:01:45 is that I've had to find a way to maintain these 30 tanks and some of them are
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 designed to be a little more natural that's intentional Others,
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 while certainly not show tanks,
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 certainly have a cleaner aesthetic.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:57 But what doesn't change is I've had to make sure there's some kind of a system
00:01:57 --> 00:02:01 to make sure water gets changed and general maintenance happens on a regular basis.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:07 And I think one of the things that I've learned is that there's power in routine maintenance.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:12 When something becomes a habit, we take it on board. It becomes something we just do.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:16 So, for example, in my own routine, I know that a weekend, be it a Saturday
00:02:16 --> 00:02:21 morning or a Sunday morning, is going to be a tank maintenance morning.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 Now, I don't do all three tanks in one go. I will divide and conquer.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 Some I'll do on a Saturday, some I'll do on a Sunday.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 But one of the things I will always do is regular water changes.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 And this might seem like it would work but it does
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 in fact keep your tank looking healthy and more importantly
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 keep your fish healthy it prevents issues such as algae
00:02:42 --> 00:02:46 blooms and keeps the nitrates at a healthy level it can also remove the toxins
00:02:46 --> 00:02:51 that have accumulated over time and can also replace the trace elements that
00:02:51 --> 00:02:57 plants and fish need to thrive so again the the tip for this is to simply set
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 aside a specific day each week for water changes make a part of your routine
00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 like any other household chore.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:06 And don't wait for your tank to look too dirty. By that stage,
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 it may already be a bit late.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:11 By doing regular maintenance, you can prevent bigger problems from occurring.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:17 Now, as I mentioned earlier, I adopt somewhat of a divide and conquer strategy.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:21 Some of my tanks are designed to look a little cleaner.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:25 There's a lot of care taken to make sure that the glass sides are clean,
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 to make sure that the plants look good.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:32 And there are others where that isn't the case. These are more functional tanks.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 I use them to store stock that I will be moving quickly.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 But that doesn't mean that the tanks are dirty. It doesn't mean that they're unhealthy.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 It simply means that they haven't had the same level of care taken in terms of the aesthetic.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:50 In some of the more natural tanks, I have things like leaves and twigs and a
00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 small amount of algae and I let that accumulate.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:56 And for some people that might look messy, but I believe that's actually benefiting the tank's ecosystem.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 And the detritus that's accumulating at the bottom and provides food for snails
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 and shrimps and bottom feeders who help keep things clean naturally.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:09 The aquatic plants, the organic matter, the biofilm that accumulates forms a
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 natural habitat that allows beneficial bacteria to thrive.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 So my advice to you would be assess the type of tank you have,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:23 choose how pristine or natural you want it to look, and adjust your maintenance accordingly.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 For tanks, you want to keep looking sharp and smart.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 Make them part of your weekly cleaning routine. For tanks with a more natural,
00:04:30 --> 00:04:34 let's say more wild look, it's okay to let things get a bit messier.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:38 As long as the filtration is working properly, your air is coming in well,
00:04:38 --> 00:04:42 and your water parameters are on point.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 So my advice is to assess the type of tank you have and to choose how pristine
00:04:47 --> 00:04:48 or natural you want it to be.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:53 For tanks you want to keep looking sharp, make these part of your weekly cleaning routine.
00:04:54 --> 00:04:59 For tanks that you want to have a more wild look for, it's okay to get a bit messier.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:03 These tanks can look a bit dirtier. As long as the filtration system is working
00:05:03 --> 00:05:07 properly, there's enough air coming and your water parameters are on point.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 It's not always about the aesthetic.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 But one of the things you have to do is to make sure that you have maintenance
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 as part of the routine for all of your tanks.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:23 So let's talk about filtration. When I started using sponge filters in all my
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 tanks, I felt like some kind of a weight had been lifted.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:30 I didn't need to worry about complicated filtration systems that require constant
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 cleaning or frequent maintenance.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:36 And sponge filters are fantastic for biological filtration and they help maintain
00:05:36 --> 00:05:40 water oxygenation without creating strong currents, which is perfect for those
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 fish that are more sensitive to current in the water.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:48 Sponge filters are ideal for smaller tanks and tanks with delicate fish species.
00:05:48 --> 00:05:53 The gentle water movement they create doesn't stress our fish and the bacteria
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 living in the sponge help to break down ammonia and nitrites.
00:05:56 --> 00:06:00 It has been said that sponge filters provide one of the best filtration solutions
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 for maintaining stable water quality in a low maintenance way.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:08 So I usually do a rinse of the filters every two to four weeks and that keeps
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 the filters running efficiently.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 And again, you've got to find different opinions on this. Some people will want
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 to leave their sponge filters in their tanks for months on end.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 Others will do it every couple of weeks.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 But again, it's up to you. What is your routine? What is the need of your tank?
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 How do you keep your animals healthy?
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 Set your maintenance schedule according to those parameters.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:35 Now, what about keeping algae in check? Now, in most tanks, if most people have
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 algae at some point or another, is going to become a conversation.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:43 And in my early days of fish keeping, I used to, I almost want to say panic,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 every time algae started showing up.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 But I've got to a point now where I see it as a natural part of the aquarium environment.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:52 But that being said, I still need to keep it under control, especially in tanks
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 where I want a clearer view of my fish.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:59 Algae growth is influenced by a few key factors. Light exposure,
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 nutrient levels, and water movement.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:07 Overfeeding and excess nutrients can cause algae to thrive, so it's important to maintain a balance.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:12 Additionally, too much light can trigger algae growth, which is why I limit
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 lighting to around 8 to 10 hours a day, sometimes less.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:19 I've also found that introducing algae-eating fish, such as plecos and otters,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 does wonders for algae control.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:26 For stubborn algae i might want to use an algae scraper to gently clean the glass,
00:07:27 --> 00:07:30 if algae persists you can consider reducing the
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 light exposure or adding more algae eaters and if
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 you have a planted tank don't be afraid for this little algae build up it's
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 part of the natural process you will find
00:07:39 --> 00:07:43 people online well-respected fish community youtubers
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 who will say things such as don't ask
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 an animal to do a job you should be doing now i
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 get that to a point but i also feel that
00:07:52 --> 00:07:56 if you have an option of bringing in plecos or mono
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 shrimp or some of the fish species that love to
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 eat some species of some types of algae why not
00:08:01 --> 00:08:06 do that add them to your community tank add them into your aquarium they bring
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 extra life they bring new fascination into your tank if they can help with the
00:08:10 --> 00:08:18 maintenance why not now what about things like your tank decor now if you want
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 um you know natural aged look.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 You've got to be okay with the fact that some of your little decors get to look
00:08:25 --> 00:08:30 a bit grotty from time to time um decor items like driftwood and rocks they
00:08:30 --> 00:08:34 naturally accumulate biofilm which is great for creating a healthy environment
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 for fish and indeed shrimp but you don't need to
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 everything down every week you can let these items build
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 up a little bit of a natural film around them it not only adds
00:08:43 --> 00:08:46 the aesthetic but also promotes a healthy tank environment to be
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 honest with you i have very very seldom clean decor items
00:08:49 --> 00:08:53 be that natural wood or whether it be a some
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 kind of other ornament but i found that generally in
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 a natural fish tank where they are already
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 is somewhat of a cleaner crew in terms of the
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 animals and perhaps the snails that you've placed into your tank there isn't
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 much of a need to keep those things looking beautifully clean
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 as if they're new now if it was in a high trafficked
00:09:11 --> 00:09:16 area where it was designed and aquascaped to show off the beauty of the underwater
00:09:16 --> 00:09:20 world well then yes i would definitely be tempted to on a regular basis take
00:09:20 --> 00:09:24 out the decorations and clean them but for most of us who just want to keep
00:09:24 --> 00:09:29 a healthy home aquarium i don't believe that that is essential you know for
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 natural tanks i will allow some growth,
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 and if you want your rocks or driftwood to look a bit more aged,
00:09:34 --> 00:09:38 then don't be afraid to let some biofilm accumulate. It's a sign of a healthy tank.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:43 So in a nutshell, I would say the key to maintaining a healthy aquarium,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 and to be honest, staying sane and not letting it become a chore,
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 is having a routine that works for you.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 Regular water changes are a
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 must, but don't forget that not all tanks need the same level of caretion.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:59 With sponge filters, you get simple, effective filtration. And by embracing
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 a little bit of mess in some tanks, you can create a more natural,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 low-maintenance environment for your fish.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:10 In closing, let me also say this. We must remember that maintenance is part
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 and parcel of the responsibility of being a fish keeper.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:17 It is not an added extra. It's not something we do if we have time.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:21 It is part and parcel of keeping healthy tanks and keeping healthy fish.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:26 If maintaining aquariums becomes something that is a chore, something we don't
00:10:26 --> 00:10:29 afford to doing, something that takes the joy out of the hobby,
00:10:29 --> 00:10:33 then perhaps it's time to reconsider whether you want to be in the hobby at all.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:39 With 30 tanks, I've had some people say to me, but Arthur, why don't you expand?
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 You've got some extra space.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 Why don't you add another rack of tanks? Why don't you add more this or more that?
00:10:44 --> 00:10:50 And my response is always the same. If I add more, I'm going to lose some of
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 the joy of this hobby that I have.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:56 I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I don't want the maintenance of the tanks to
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 become something that I don't look forward to doing
00:10:59 --> 00:11:04 at the moment I enjoy it I enjoy getting into the garage fish room on a weekend
00:11:04 --> 00:11:09 getting my hands wet getting involved filling up the buckets of water because
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 I don't have an automatic water change system at this point,
00:11:12 --> 00:11:16 I enjoy that it keeps me in touch with the tanks it keeps me in touch with the
00:11:16 --> 00:11:20 nature in my tanks and I want to be able to keep doing that and I can manage
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 it with the time constraints I have.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:27 As soon as I go more than what I currently have, I worry that the regular maintenance
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 schedule that will have to be followed is going to take away the joy of what
00:11:30 --> 00:11:33 I do. And I really don't want that.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:36 So if you take nothing else away from this episode, remember this.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:43 Regular maintenance is vital. Once it becomes a chore, once it becomes something
00:11:43 --> 00:11:47 that you dread, it's worth considering whether you want to still be involved
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 in this incredible hobby.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:53 Where we are responsible for the well-being of a little piece of nature in a glass box.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:57 We have a responsibility to keep our tanks maintained well.
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 Make it regular, make it an event you look forward to doing,
00:12:02 --> 00:12:06 and you'll find that that routine becomes part and parcel of what it means for
00:12:06 --> 00:12:10 you to be an effective fish keeper, an effective aquarist.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:16 Folks, again, I'm going to ask you, please share this podcast with those who would find it useful.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:19 We're all in this hobby together. the more we share, the better we all get at
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 keeping our tanks healthy. Thanks so much for listening.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:24 Keep those tanks clean. Enjoy your fishkeeping journey.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:27 Happy fishkeeping, and I will see you at the next episode. Bye for now.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 That's it for this episode of the Aquaris Sedge. Please consider subscribing
00:12:31 --> 00:12:34 to this podcast so that you don't miss further episodes.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:37 We would love it if you would also rate and review the podcast,
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 as this helps make it visible to others.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:44 Until next time, keep learning and discovering, and keep finding your Aquaris
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 Sedge in this and fascinating hobby.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:56 Music.