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Aquarium Maintenance

Building and operating a healthy aquarium system is a lot of work. There’s no getting around that. The only thing an aquarist has some control over is the amount and kind of maintenance that is necessary. More specifically, you can make the task easier and more enjoyable by following certain rules and choosing your tools/equipment wisely. This begins the moment you add your first livestock. Stocking a system too soon or, especially, overstocking, can make routine maintenance a total nightmare long after the initial set-up. Fish in particular can dirty up a tank in little time; without exception, nuisance algae follows. It is far easier to prevent these algal blooms than it is to eliminate them! Beyond this key consideration, minimizing long-term aquarium maintenance is a lot less straightforward. It requires constant and thorough visual inspection, water testing, etc. In the least (and before you even get your hands dirty), it requires a plan! A reactionary aquarium maintenance routine simply swings at problems (most of which are totally avoidable) as they appear. The alternative is a consistent, carefully and thoughtfully regimented plan of action that focuses on putting in place natural controls. These biocontrols help to prevent harmful excesses of detritus and dissolved nutrients--as well as the “bad” algae and pests that these issues give rise to. In this section, you will learn how to prevent common reef aquarium problems (thereby reducing the need for intensive maintenance) by effectively utilizing clean-up crew animals, planted refugia, beneficial bacteria, etc.

50 Posts

AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

Everyone's favorite eight-armed mollusk is having its very own day! October 8th is Octopus Day, and what better way to celebrate than
Read More about AlgaeBarn is celebrating the octopus!

What is the Best Macroalgae for a Reef Tank?

Marine aquarists and reef keepers are using macroalgae in their tanks as a source of natural filtration more frequently. Many reef
Read More about What is the Best Macroalgae for a Reef Tank?

Should I Add Snails to My Refugium?

If you guessed that a refugium is a wordplay on refuge and aquarium, you guessed right! A refugium is simply a tank for plant and
Read More about Should I Add Snails to My Refugium?

Everything You Need to Know About OceanMagik

Whether you're a regular here at AlgaeBarn or a newcomer, we always get tons of questions about live phyto. So, we thought, there’s no
Read More about Everything You Need to Know About OceanMagik

To Tumble or Not to Tumble?

If you decided to use a refugium for filtration of the reef tank than you most likely know how you want to stock it. But, if you’re
Read More about To Tumble or Not to Tumble?

Is Sea Lettuce a Good Macroalgae for the Refugium?

If you are looking for a way to control nutrient levels in the reef tank, macroalgae is a great way to do it! You may have heard about
Read More about Is Sea Lettuce a Good Macroalgae for the Refugium?

How Long Does Live Phytoplankton Last?

Phytoplankton is a crucial part of the ocean’s food web. So, it only makes sense that phyto should also be a crucial part of our
Read More about How Long Does Live Phytoplankton Last?

Why Peppermint Shrimp are a Good Choice for Reef Tanks

Peppermint shrimp make fantastic additions for community reef tanks! The peppermint shrimp, sometimes known as a sweeper shrimp, has
Read More about Why Peppermint Shrimp are a Good Choice for Reef Tanks

How Often Should I Add Copepods to the Reef Tank?

A reef tank is a complex system with a lot of different components. All these moving parts must be fully functioning for the ecosystem
Read More about How Often Should I Add Copepods to the Reef Tank?

What are the Best Live Foods for Coral?

Many invertebrates need a consistent source of food to thrive in a reef tank. This is especially true for coral. While there are many
Read More about What are the Best Live Foods for Coral?

Does CADE Make Good Aquariums for Beginners?

Choosing the right aquarium system as a beginner can be an overwhelming task. The honest truth is that this decision has the potential
Read More about Does CADE Make Good Aquariums for Beginners?

Ultimate Galaxy Pack

Introducing the Ultimate Galaxy Pack

We would like to introduce our newest feeding system – The Ultimate Galaxy Pack! As reef keepers, we know all too well that coral reef
Read More about Introducing the Ultimate Galaxy Pack

Sand Stirrers and Detritivores in Reef Aquaria

These days, a pretty good number of aquarists (a majority of them, perhaps) prefer bare-bottom tanks. Bare, as in, no sand or gravel on
Read More about Sand Stirrers and Detritivores in Reef Aquaria

The Nitrogen Cycle: Part Three (Denitrifiers)

Perhaps it is a poor choice of words to say that ones tank “is cycled” in the past tense--as if the keeper no longer needs to monitor
Read More about The Nitrogen Cycle: Part Three (Denitrifiers)

The Nitrogen Cycle: Part Two (Nitrite Oxidizers)

So, you’ve squirted some stuff in your home aquarium, waited a few weeks, watched the ammonia rise and fall, and now you know
Read More about The Nitrogen Cycle: Part Two (Nitrite Oxidizers)

Using the Aquarium Cycle Kit

One of the more fundamental tasks one must undertake when maintaining a saltwater aquarium is controlling nitrogenous waste. Most
Read More about Using the Aquarium Cycle Kit

Tuxedo Urchins for Hair Algae Control

Hair algae is not just one of the common forms of nuisance algae, it is also among the most difficult to eradicate. Indeed, despite the
Read More about Tuxedo Urchins for Hair Algae Control

Do I Need a Protein Skimmer?

There are a lot of tough calls in reef aquarium keeping. While the focus of attention should be on creating the healthiest and most
Read More about Do I Need a Protein Skimmer?

Building and Maintaining a Peninsula Tank

Unlike other types of animal enclosures (bird cages, rabbit hutches, etc. ), an aquarium is a piece of exhibitry. Often, the keeper
Read More about Building and Maintaining a Peninsula Tank

Upgrading to the ULTIMATE Refugium Starter Pack

You might be setting up a brand-new reef tank. Maybe you’re doing some upgrades to an existing aquarium. Either way, you’ll have a lot
Read More about Upgrading to the ULTIMATE Refugium Starter Pack

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