Generate a customized maintenance schedule for water changes, filter cleaning, and water testing based on your tank setup.
Enter your tank details to receive a customized maintenance schedule tailored to your specific setup.
Heavy stocking or heavy feeding may require more frequent water changes and cleaning than the suggested baseline.
This planner provides general guidelines. Always prioritize actual water test results and visual observation of your tank's health.
Standard community tanks: 25–30% weekly. Heavily stocked or cichlid tanks: 30–50% weekly. Lightly stocked planted tanks with fast-growing plants: 25% every 2 weeks. Test nitrate weekly and adjust the schedule to keep it under 20–40 ppm.
Mechanical media (sponges, floss): rinse in tank water every 2–4 weeks when flow noticeably drops. Biological media (ceramic rings, bio-balls): rinse only when clogged, in tank water — never replace all at once or you crash the cycle.
New tanks (cycling): test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH daily until cycled. Established tanks: nitrate weekly, full panel monthly. Test more often after fish additions, equipment changes, or unusual fish behavior.
Mechanical floss can be replaced when it falls apart (every 2–3 months). Sponges and ceramic media last years if rinsed gently. Activated carbon is exhausted after 4–6 weeks and should be replaced if you use it. Never replace all media at once.
A mature, lightly stocked tank can usually go 2–3 weeks. Heavily stocked tanks need consistent weekly water changes — skipping leads to nitrate accumulation, pH drop, and stressed fish. If you travel often, stock conservatively or invest in an auto water-change system.