Is Record Keeping a good idea?

It is a good idea to keep a notebook in which you record what you did and when you did it. Do not rely on your memory! Once some time has passed, your memory can fail as to when the reef was set up, when the rock was added, how long the tank took to cycle, when the inverts were added, how many of them there were, when the fish were added, how many of them went in, what kinds they were, what the results of your water tests have been, and so on.

Unless you are an analytical type, keeping a notebook and writing down all the things you initially do to the reef will seem like a waste of time. However, as time goes on (as it has a way of doing), you will begin to see the importance and benefits of keeping the notebook. If you do this from the start, there will be a minimum of guesswork regarding water changes, water quality, how long the reef has been set up, and the monetary value of the reef.

Here is a list of maintenance procedures,

Daily:

  1. Check general appearance of reef.
  2. Adjust protein skimmer.
  3. Adjust water level (compensating for evaporation).
  4. Feed livestock.

As needed:

  1. Remove unwanted algae (on glass and overflow pipes).
  2. Clean protein skimmer; change airstones; adjust Venturi valve.

Weekly:

  1. Change prefilter pads.

Biweekly (alternately):

  1. Change water.
  2. Add trace elements.

Monthly:

  1. Test water.
  2. Clean the tank cover.
  3. Wipe the light bulbs.

Every 3 months:

  1. Clean the cooling fan(s).
  2. Inspect and clean the water pumps.

Every 6 months:

  1. Take down and completely clean the sump.
  2. Take down and service the pump.
  3. Replace light bulbs.

Once a year:

  1. Completely take down, clean, and rebuild the reef.

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