5 Ways to Set Up a Low-Maintenance Fish Tank

An aquarium that doesn’t require too much maintenance should be the goal of all fish keepers. There are many ways you can be involved with your aquarium, but you don’t want to be stuck with an aquatic habitat that requires constant cleaning and adjustments. There’s a misconception about fish tanks and hardy species that can survive with low oxygenation levels. These smaller tanks often end up requiring constant maintenance because of waste accumulation and rising ammonia levels. Taking time to properly establish a tank is the best way to keep maintenance to a minimum, and this has the added benefit of fostering a healthier ecosystem. Here are five recommendations to reduce the level of aquarium maintenance.

1. Plan Your Aquarium

Write down the steps you’ll take to establish the tank. You’ll want to note of how much all the fish tank supplies you need will cost and how long each step will take before moving to the next. Patience and diligence during the tank setup and establishing process will pay off in the future when you only have to dedicate a few minutes each week in terms of maintenance while still providing a healthy habitat for happy fish.

2. Get a Larger Tank

This recommendation may not initially make sense to beginners, but the reality of larger tanks is that they’re easier to maintain because of water chemistry stability. Fish waste will settle and dilute easier with appropriate water volumes. There’s also the matter of more oxygen volumes being circulated by the aeration system. Larger tanks also provide an opportunity to keep a greater diversity of species, and this is crucial for any aquatic ecosystem.

3. Add Aquatic Plants

When establishing a new tank, start off with plants before introducing fish and invertebrates, and add live liquid bacteria. Once your plants are lively and colorful, your tank will be rewarded with a healthy bacterial bloom. Plus, the nitrogen cycle will start regulating in a more natural way. Since aquatic plants feed on the byproducts of fish waste, they’ll deprive algae of nutrients, thus diminishing cleaning frequency.

4. Keep Bottom Dwellers and Other Algae Eaters

Plecostomus are hardy fish that feed on algae instinctively, although this isn’t their only means of nutrition. Caridina multidentata is an Asian freshwater shrimp known for its voracious scavenging behavior. Also known as Amano, this invertebrate will not only eat all kinds of algae but also detritus that settles on the substrate. Ghost shrimp are also algae eaters, but not as much as their Amano cousins.

5. Only Keep a Few Species

Diversity is always recommended, but you don’t want to overdo it with a large stock of species in the same tank. Keep in mind that the more you feed, the more you’ll have to clean. A pair of each species should be enough, and the same goes for plants.

All aquariums require some degree of maintenance, and you’ll need to purchase several supplies to take care of your tank properly. Whether you need an aquarium temperature controller, beneficial bacteria, a filtration system, or any other essential supply, Aquatic Warehouse has just what you need. We’re located in Kearny Mesa, or you can also purchase supplies from our website. To speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives, call us today at 858-467-9297.