| When you are deciding on which type of fish you | | | | time consuming, they can often be combined into |
| would like to keep and what sort of aquarium you | | | | one weekly or monthly task - combining gravel |
| want, also give some thought to how much time | | | | vacuuming with algae wiping, for example, or filter |
| you can devote to fishkeeping. All types of | | | | maintenance with water changing. If they are |
| livestock make constant demands on the owner, | | | | carried out properly and efficiently, even these |
| and essential maintenance means just that - it | | | | combined tasks should take no longer than an |
| simply has to be done! Fish will always need | | | | hour to complete. |
| feeding and their water will always need to be | | | | Time consuming set ups |
| changed, so bear this in mind when you are | | | | Some styles of aquarium and species of fish will |
| choosing a particular system. For example, a | | | | take longer to maintain than others. The more |
| larger tank, with a proportionately greater number | | | | dedicated fishkeeper may decide to specialize in |
| of fish, will mean larger water changes, which will | | | | one area of the hobby and make more time to |
| take more time and energy to carry them out. | | | | accommodate it. Bear in mind that you can never |
| Routine tasks | | | | fully judge from the outset the demands the |
| To give a better idea of what is involved in | | | | hobby will make on you - many aquarists, for |
| aquarium fishkeeping, the lists below detail the | | | | instance, find themselves unexpectedly in a |
| daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Some of these | | | | situation where they have to invest in more |
| are optional and will depend on the particular type | | | | aquariums and equipment as a result of their fish |
| of fish you are keeping, but most of them will | | | | breeding. |
| have to be built into your routine to ensure | | | | The Discus is a prime example of a relatively |
| responsible and rewarding fishkeeping. | | | | more demanding and less forgiving species of fish. |
| Daily tasks | | | | To keep this species in top condition, more water |
| Check water temperature | | | | changes and more feeding will need to be carried |
| Feed the fish | | | | out than might be expected for a more average |
| Turn lights on and off | | | | tropical community fish. |
| Check all fish are present | | | | Tanks containing more livestock than others will |
| Check fish health | | | | also ultimately take up more of your time. A |
| Weekly tasks | | | | heavily planted aquarium, for instance, will require |
| Test aquarium water | | | | more time for maintenance of the plants as well |
| Wipe algae from the front glass | | | | as the fish. Reef aquariums can contain many |
| Change some of the tank water | | | | more invertebrates than fish, and all marine life is |
| Add plant food/coral additives | | | | inevitably more delicate than their freshwater |
| Top up water lost through evaporation | | | | equivalents. |
| Monthly tasks | | | | Assessing your available time |
| Replace carbon in filter | | | | After considering all these factors, you need to |
| Vacuum gravel | | | | assess realistically how much time you can |
| Prune plants | | | | devote to your fishkeeping and then tailor your |
| Maintain filter | | | | choice accordingly. If you frequently go away on |
| Clean covering glass and light tubes | | | | holiday, hardy coldwater or tropical species are |
| Time saving strategies | | | | probably the best choice for you. If you have |
| Now that you can see at a glance the range of | | | | time and space for only one aquarium, do not buy |
| routine tasks you will need to undertake, you | | | | fish that breed readily or grow large, and if you |
| should have a better understanding of how much | | | | move home frequently, avoid setting up complex |
| work is involved in keeping fish. However, don't let | | | | aquariums, because the process of dismantling, |
| this put you off! Some of these tasks take only a | | | | transporting and reinstallation will be very stressful |
| matter of minutes to carry out and do not cost | | | | not only for you but also for the livestock. |
| anything at all, and even though others are more | | | | |