Weekly Tank Maintenance Checklist
The essential routine that keeps your aquarium healthy — 20 minutes a week is all it takes.
Consistency beats intensity. A quick 20-minute weekly routine prevents 90% of aquarium problems before they start. Here's the exact checklist.
Weekly Tasks
1. Water change — 25-30% of the tank volume. Use a gravel vacuum to siphon debris from the substrate. 2. Test water parameters — pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Use a liquid test kit (API Master Kit), not strips. 3. Clean the glass — magnetic algae scrapers work fastest. Don't use soap or household cleaners. 4. Trim plants — remove dead leaves, trim overgrown stems, replant cuttings. 5. Check equipment — filter flow, heater temperature, CO₂ bubble count, light timer.
Monthly Tasks
1. Rinse filter media — in tank water (never tap water, chlorine kills beneficial bacteria). 2. Clean filter impeller and intake sponge. 3. Dose root tabs if using inert substrate. 4. Inspect fish — look for signs of disease, injuries, or behavioral changes. 5. Clean light fixtures — dust and water spots reduce light output over time.
What NOT to Do
Never replace all your filter media at once — you'll crash your cycle. Never clean your substrate until it's spotless — some mulm is beneficial. Never do 100% water changes unless it's an emergency. And never add new fish without quarantining them first (2-4 weeks minimum).
