Keeping a thriving reef aquarium isn’t just about good equipment and beautiful corals—it’s about consistency. A clear reef aquarium maintenance schedule helps prevent algae outbreaks, coral stress, and surprise equipment failures. Below is a practical, real-world schedule you can follow and adapt to your own tank.

Daily & Every-Other-Day Reef Tasks

These quick checks keep you ahead of problems before they become emergencies.

• Visual health check: Look at fish behavior, polyp extension, and any signs of stress or disease. Catching issues early is key.
• Top off evaporated water: Use fresh RODI water (not saltwater) to keep salinity stable. An auto top-off system helps, but still verify it’s working.
• Feed fish and corals: Feed small portions and watch that food is consumed within a few minutes. Overfeeding is one of the fastest ways to raise nutrients and fuel nuisance algae.
• Check equipment: Confirm heaters, return pumps, wavemakers, and lights are running normally. Listen for unusual noises or rattling.

For a deeper dive into what to look for in livestock behavior, see our guide on reef-safe fish for beginners.

Weekly Reef Aquarium Maintenance Schedule

Weekly tasks focus on water quality and keeping your system clean and stable.

Water Testing & Adjustments

• Test key parameters: Salinity, temperature, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate.
• Log your results: Keep a simple notebook or spreadsheet. Trends over time are more useful than single readings.
• Make small corrections: If alkalinity, calcium, or magnesium drift, adjust dosing slowly over several days instead of big swings.

Cleaning & Water Changes

• 10–15% water change: Use well-mixed, aerated saltwater matched to your tank’s salinity and temperature.
• Clean glass or acrylic: Use a magnet cleaner and a scraper for tough coralline algae.
• Vacuum problem areas: Lightly siphon detritus from bare spots in the sand bed and low-flow corners.
• Empty and rinse skimmer cup: A clean skimmer is far more efficient at nutrient export.

Pro tip: Schedule your weekly maintenance on the same day and time. Treat it like an appointment so it becomes a habit, not a chore.

If you’re still planning your system, pair this schedule with our reef tank setup checklist so your equipment supports easy maintenance from day one.

Monthly & Quarterly Deep Maintenance

These less frequent tasks keep your reef system running smoothly over the long term.

Monthly Tasks

• Change or rinse mechanical filtration: Replace filter socks, floss, or pads before they become nutrient traps.
• Refresh chemical media: Swap out activated carbon and phosphate media as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Clean powerheads and pumps: Soak in a mild vinegar solution to remove calcium buildup, then rinse with fresh water.
• Inspect plumbing and cords: Check for salt creep, leaks, and brittle tubing or damaged insulation.

Every 3–6 Months

• Calibrate equipment: Recalibrate refractometers, pH probes, and dosing pumps for accuracy.
• Deep clean skimmer body: Remove and soak the skimmer, scrub the neck, and clean the air intake to restore performance.
• Review livestock and stocking: Ensure your bioload still matches your filtration and maintenance routine.

For help balancing fish load and filtration, check our article on saltwater aquarium filtration options.

Bringing It All Together

A reef aquarium maintenance schedule doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Break tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly lists, post them near your tank, and track your water tests. With a steady routine, you’ll spend less time fixing problems and more time enjoying a healthy, vibrant reef at home.

Sources

• Sprung, J. & Delbeek, J. C. The Reef Aquarium, Vol. 1–3.
• Borneman, E. H. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History.
• Fenner, R. M. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist.