How to Change the Water in Your Saltwater Aquarium

Performing regular water changes is crucial to maintaining the health and beauty of your saltwater aquarium. These changes help remove waste and toxins that can build up and negatively affect your plants and animals. Without proper maintenance, your aquarium can become an unpleasant and harmful environment, filled with organic waste, phosphates, and nitrates that encourage algae growth and harm marine life.

Frequency of Water Changes

To maintain a healthy aquarium, it is recommended to change 10% to 20% of the water weekly. Depending on the efficiency of your filtration system, you might be able to space out water changes to every two weeks. It is important to regularly test your water to monitor nitrate and phosphate levels, adjusting the frequency of changes as needed.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items on hand:

- 5-gallon bucket
- ​​Siphon or gravel vacuum
- Filling pump (optional)
- Towels
- Prepared saltwater
- Thermometer
- Refractometer
- Algae scraper

Steps for Changing Water

1. Equipment Preparation: Gather all necessary materials. Turn off pumps, heaters, and other electrical equipment in the aquarium.

2. Spill Protection: Place towels under the bucket to absorb any spills.

3. Tank Cleaning: Remove the lid of the aquarium and scrape any algae off the walls before you begin to remove water.

4. Water Removal: Place the end of the siphon into the bucket and begin to siphon water from the tank. Siphon through the substrate to remove debris from the bottom. Siphon until 10% to 20% of the water is removed.

5. Measuring Salinity: Use the refractometer to check the salinity of the new water and the remaining water in the tank, adjusting as necessary.

6. Adjusting Temperature: Check the temperature of the new water and the aquarium. If there is a significant difference (more than 2-3°C), warm the new water before adding it to the tank.

7. Adding New Water: Slowly add the new saltwater to the aquarium, pouring carefully to avoid splashing or disturbing the substrate. For large tanks, a refill pump can make this process easier.

8. Reactivating Equipment: Once the tank is filled, turn on the pumps, heater, and other equipment. If the water level drops after turning on the pumps, top off with more new saltwater.

Adjusting Salinity

Proper salinity for a reef tank is typically 1.026 (or 35 ppt), but can vary depending on the needs of your species. Use reverse osmosis deionized water (RO/DI) to prepare the salt mix, making sure the salinity of the new water matches that of the tank. You can use hydrometers, refractometers, or digital meters to accurately measure salinity.

Professional Maintenance Service

If you need help with the maintenance of your saltwater aquarium, CETAMAR offers professional services to ensure your fish, corals, and invertebrates thrive. Our team can create a customized maintenance program for your home or business, ensuring a healthy and aesthetically pleasing aquatic environment at all times.