I use the following maintenace schedule to keep my reef tank in good condition.

Water Changes:

Water changes are absolutely essential to clean a reef system and maintain the correct balance of nutrients and minerals. A heated tank also looses a considerable amount of water through evaporation, which must be replaced. Each week I remove about 6 gallons of water from the tank and prepare about 7 gallons of clean water to replace it. I run tap water through a canister filter containing activated carbon, phosphate remover and nitrate sponge for about 8 hours. I add "Tapsafe" water conditioner, heat the water, remove the filtering and add salt (the salt needs to be added last as it would affect the nitrate sponge). I try to get the specific gravity just below optimal to take account of the fact that the evaporation that has occurred will have left the specific gravity in the tank a bit higher than normal.

Chemical Tests:

I make basic checks on water chemistry twice a week. The following parameters are checked:

	Ph.
	Ammonia.
	Nitrite.
	Nitrate.
	Calcium.
	Specific Gravity.

Occasionally I also check:

Dissolved Oxygen.

Filters:

Once a month I dismantle the Fluval canister filter and wash the filter sponges in cold water. So far I didn't see the need to replace them. Once every two months I replace the activated carbon, phosphate remover and nitrate remover.

Livestock:

During feeding I try to take a close look at each species in the tank. I check their physical appearance for signs of fin rot, velvet, excessive slime, parasites or ulcers. I also check their behaviour - to ensure that they are feeding properly, swimming strongly etc.