Whether you have Oscars, Bettas, Goldfish, Mollies, Tetras, or any other breeds of freshwater tropical fish, routine tank maintenance is the key to not only a beautiful set up, but also to keeping your fish healthy, happy and well. Although maintaining a tropical fish tank is not nearly as much of a chore as keeping up with the added demand of a saltwater tank, doing a few simple things on a regular basis can save you a lot of time in the long run. This page will give you some tips on how to maintain a tropical fish tank.

Here are some things that you should make sure you have on hand in order to maintain a tropical fish tank:

1. An electric air pump with air line for aeration
2. Appropriate filters and extra filter replacements
3. Fish tank thermometer
4. Aquarium heater and light
5. Small fish net
6. Small aquarium glass scrubber
7. Aquarium gravel vacuum
8. Five gallon bucket
9. Water conditioner
10. pH test strips that also check for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels

In addition, it also helps to have on hand an ick treatment that also treats for parasites, as well as a treatment for anchor worms if you have goldfish or koi.

You should already have an aerator installed on your fish tank, such as an air pump with an adequate air line that allows for continuous movement of water throughout the tank, as well as filtration. Most of these air pumps utilize two types of filters: one that stays in the pump at all times, and another carbon filter that has to be replaced on a regular basis. You should rinse out the permanent filter at least once a week, and replace the carbon filter once every other week.

Fish should be fed daily, while avoiding overfeeding. Follow the directions of the fish food label, and remove any excess food immediately. However, in a lot of species of fish, there is no need to fret if you miss a day or even two of feeding. Simply get back to your regular routine as quickly as possible. Each time that you feed your fish, you should also check for any signs of stress. Monitor the fishes' growth to ensure that they are growing properly and check the scales up close for any signs of damage. You should also examine the eyes of the fish for signs of blood or cloudiness, and monitor respiratory rates for any signs of distress.

Any changes in the fish can be a good indication that something is not right with the tank. You should monitor the temperature of the tank with a thermometer that is left in the water to ensure that fish are not too cold or too hot. While the right temperature range can vary for different species of fish, for most tropical freshwater fish, the water temperature should be between 77 and 83 degrees. Your aquarium should also come equipped with a hood that has a built in light, and also a heater for maintaining the appropriate temperature.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of tropical fish tank maintenance is having to change the water, which can be a big chore, particularly if you have a larger fish tank. However, while it is beneficial to change out all of the water at least once a month, changing about 25-30 percent of the water on a weekly basis can make the entire maintenance process a little easier.

When doing any kind of water change, it is important that you either use bottled water or tap water that is treated with a water conditioner to get the chlorine out. If you are doing an entire change out, you should also clean the rest of the tank while the water is not in it, including removing the gravel and rinse it as well. The inside of the tank should be scrubbed with an aquarium glass scrubber and water, without the use of any harsh cleaning products. Prior to doing any kind of water change, it is also important that you unplug the light, heater, and all pumps and filtration devices as well, in order to reduce the risk of injury.