{"id":148522,"date":"2018-06-24T12:46:15","date_gmt":"2018-06-24T10:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/aquarium-onderhoud\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T12:10:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:10:06","slug":"aquarium-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/startup-maintenance\/aquarium-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquarium maintenance per day, per week and per month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Aquarium maintenance\u2026 I gotta be honest, I find it one of the most annoying parts of this fun hobby. But hey, that\u2019s probably because I\u2019m a bit lazy!<\/p>\n<p>A lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/blog\/opstart-onderhoud\/aquarium-beginnen\/\">beginner aquarists<\/a> think: doesn\u2019t the filter actually take care of aquarium maintenance? Well yeah, technically it does. The filter definitely handles the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But your aquarium maintenance doesn\u2019t stop with your filter<\/strong>. If you want a healthy tank, you\u2019ll still need to do a bunch of other things regularly. Think about <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/startup-maintenance\/aquarium-water-changes-tips\/\">water changes<\/a>, checking your CO2, cleaning the aquarium glass, \u2026<\/p>\n<p>But what does an aquarium cleaning schedule look like, and what exactly needs to be done? You\u2019ll find the answers in this blog post. To make it easy for you, I\u2019ve created an aquarium schedule and split this article into daily, weekly and monthly aquarium maintenance.<\/p>\n<h2>Daily aquarium maintenance<\/h2>\n<p>If you ask me, the daily aquarium schedule is more about enjoying your tank than about cleaning it.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s best to do every day?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Check the temperature<\/strong>: keeping the water temperature stable is super important for your fish and shrimp. Sudden drops or rises can have disastrous effects. So, quickly checking every day if the water stays within range is smart.\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_11636\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11636\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11636\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-onderhoud-temperatur.jpg\" alt=\"daily aquarium maintenance: checking the temperature\" width=\"300\" height=\"406\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11636\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check the temperature daily. Source: Aquariumdetectiv<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong>Check fish &amp; shrimp<\/strong>: a quick look at their behavior and numbers never hurts. You\u2019ll notice fast if something\u2019s off. See a dead fish? Remove it so it doesn\u2019t rot in the tank. This is also a great moment to feed your fish. Check if there\u2019s leftover food and adjust the amount if needed. Too much waste pollutes the tank and can even lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/algae\/fight-prevent-algae-aquarium\/\">blue-green algae<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11638\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11638\" style=\"width: 793px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11638\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-onderhoud-dode-vis.jpg\" alt=\"daily aquarium maintenance: check if there are dead fish\" width=\"793\" height=\"446\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11638\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take action right away! Source: Youtube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Check plant growth<\/strong>: how do your plants look? Do they have a fresh color and keep growing well? Aquarium plant maintenance is all about observing your plants and giving them what they need. Plants that suddenly look unhealthy, get deformed, or develop holes often signal that something\u2019s wrong. If you see strange growth, check if your CO2 cylinder still has enough pressure, your <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/co2-systems\/co2-system-aquarium\/\">CO2 system<\/a> is running properly, and add some <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/product\/all-in-one\/\">aquarium plant fertilizer<\/a> if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21973\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21973\" style=\"width: 637px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21973\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant.jpg\" alt=\"spotting a nutrient deficiency as part of aquarium plant maintenance\" width=\"637\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant.jpg 800w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant-470x353.jpg 470w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/voedingstekort-aquariumplant-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21973\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This points to a CO2 shortage. Source: AquascapingBlog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Watch out for algae<\/strong>: the sooner you spot algae, the easier it is to deal with them. Algae are a pain, so it\u2019s best to get rid of them right away. Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/algae\/fight-prevent-algae-aquarium\/\">how to fight algae in aquariums<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, daily aquarium maintenance is basically about visually checking your tank.<\/p>\n<p>And of course, enjoying your aquarium too!<\/p>\n<h2>Weekly aquarium maintenance<\/h2>\n<p>The weekly aquarium cleaning schedule takes more time and effort, but it\u2019s a key part of the hobby if you want to keep enjoying it.<\/p>\n<p>What should you do weekly to keep your aquarium nice and clean? Number one: water changes!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Change the water<\/strong>: as you know, I\u2019m a big fan of regular water changes in aquariums. Especially if you use CO2 and have lots of plants or fish, replacing 25 to 50% of the water weekly is no luxury. There are different techniques for water changes, <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/blog\/startup-maintenance\/aquarium-water-changes-tips\/\">check out this blog post<\/a>. Just make sure the values of your fresh water don\u2019t cause big swings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11640\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11640\" style=\"width: 657px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11640\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/water-verversen-aquarium-onderhoud.jpg\" alt=\"water changes as part of a weekly aquarium maintenance schedule\" width=\"657\" height=\"657\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11640\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A weekly water change can do wonders. Source: Pinterest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clean the aquarium glass<\/strong>: use the lower water level to clean your aquarium glass. Filter floss works well, and for corners, grab an old toothbrush. If decorations are dirty, clean them the same way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21975\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21975\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-21975\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken.jpg\" alt=\"cleaning the aquarium glass is part of a weekly aquarium cleaning schedule\" width=\"480\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken.jpg 480w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-glas-schoonmaken-170x170.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21975\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An old toothbrush always comes in handy! Source: Exoaquaristic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Trim the plants<\/strong>: trimming weekly means you never have to do drastic pruning. It helps keep your aquascape in shape, prevents certain plants from taking over, and boosts growth. Want to know everything about <a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/blog\/aquariumplanten\/aquariumplanten-snoeien\/\">pruning aquarium plants<\/a> without hassle? Read this article and you\u2019ll be a trimming pro in no time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By sticking to the same weekly aquarium cleaning schedule, your aquascape stays under control. No big shocks or sudden changes to the tank\u2019s ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, it\u2019s a breeze\u2014and who knows, you might even start to enjoy it! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<h2>Monthly aquarium maintenance<\/h2>\n<p>Monthly aquarium maintenance is mainly about cleaning your filter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make it a rule never to clean all the filter parts at once<\/strong>. Simple reason: you don\u2019t want to disrupt the bacteria colony in your aquarium too much.<\/p>\n<p>How do I clean my filter? I rinse the filter floss in old tank water and put it back. Meanwhile, I scrub the hoses with a hose brush and clean the parts (such as the impeller) with filter wool. If the rubber seals are dry, you can rub them with a bit of Vaseline to avoid leaks.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21976\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21976\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-21976 size-full\" style=\"font-weight: bold; font-size: 1rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-filter-schoonmaken.jpg\" alt=\"monthly aquarium schedule: cleaning the impeller\" width=\"670\" height=\"591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-filter-schoonmaken.jpg 670w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-filter-schoonmaken-470x415.jpg 470w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/aquarium-filter-schoonmaken-300x265.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21976\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don\u2019t forget the impeller! Source: PFK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Another golden rule: <strong>don\u2019t clean the filter and do a water change at the same time<\/strong>, for the same reason\u2014it would disturb the bacteria balance too much.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion: aquarium maintenance doesn\u2019t have to be a boring chore!<\/h2>\n<p>Cleaning your aquarium doesn\u2019t need to be a dreaded task. Just by being attentive and doing a daily visual check, you already achieve a lot.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, aquarium maintenance is mostly about routine. Once you figure out the right aquarium cleaning schedule, it almost goes by itself.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Weekly aquarium maintenance<\/strong>: water changes, cleaning the glass, and trimming plants<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monthly aquarium maintenance<\/strong>: cleaning the filter if needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And when you think about the gorgeous aquarium you get in return with the right aquarium schedule, you\u2019ll do it happily! Got more tips for me? Drop them below!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/product\/all-in-one\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-137890\" src=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL.jpg\" alt=\"|\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-380x380.jpg 380w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-170x170.jpg 170w, https:\/\/planted-box.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/All-in-One-_EI_-NL-80x80.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Je aquarium onderhouden \u2026 ik moet eerlijk toegeven, ik vind het \u00e9\u00e9n van de vervelendste aspecten van onze leuke hobby. Maar goed, dat komt ook omdat ik een beetje lui ben!\u00a0Veel beginnende aquaristen denken: staat je filter eigenlijk niet in voor het aquarium onderhoud? Wel ja, &#8230;\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"bwfblock_default_font":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2412,2411],"tags":[2505],"class_list":["post-148522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maintenance-aquarium","category-startup-maintenance","tag-opstart-onderhoud-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148522"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148525,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148522\/revisions\/148525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/129201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planted-box.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}