Reef tank maintenance checklist.

Daily checks

Daily tasks are quick but important:

• Check temperature
• Confirm return pump and powerheads are running
• Confirm heater or chiller is behaving normally
• Check salinity if you do not have reliable auto top-off
• Look for fish breathing heavily, hiding, or acting differently
• Check coral extension and color
• Feed appropriately without overfeeding
• Make sure the auto top-off reservoir has water

Most reef disasters are easier to prevent when you notice small changes early.

Weekly tasks

Weekly reef maintenance may include:

• Clean viewing glass
• Empty and clean protein skimmer cup
• Test alkalinity
• Test nitrate and phosphate
• Inspect coral health
• Remove nuisance algae manually
• Check dosing containers
• Inspect filter socks or mechanical filtration
• Confirm lights and timers are correct

For many reef tanks, alkalinity is one of the most important numbers to watch consistently.

Biweekly tasks

Every two weeks, consider:

• Partial water change
• Replace or rinse mechanical filtration
• Clean salt creep
• Light sand bed cleaning where appropriate
• Inspect sump and overflow areas
• Check calcium and magnesium
• Review dosing based on test results
• Clean powerhead guards or obvious flow restrictions

Biweekly maintenance is a common service schedule for stable home reef aquariums.

Monthly tasks

Monthly reef tasks may include:

• Deep clean pumps or powerheads as needed
• Replace carbon or chemical filtration
• Calibrate probes
• Inspect RO/DI filter status
• Check plumbing and unions for leaks or salt creep
• Trim coral or macroalgae if needed
• Review livestock growth and compatibility
• Photograph the tank to track coral changes

Photos help catch slow coral decline or algae growth that is easy to miss day to day.

Water parameters to monitor

Common reef parameters include:

• Temperature
• Salinity
• Alkalinity
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Nitrate
• Phosphate
• pH, if monitored reliably

Do not chase perfect numbers every day. Look for consistency and safe ranges for your livestock.

When to call a professional

Consider professional reef tank service if:

• Corals are closing or losing color
• Algae keeps returning
• You are unsure how to dose safely
• Equipment is noisy, failing, or undersized
• Parameters swing between tests
• You are adding expensive coral or fish
• You travel and need backup care

Bottom line

A reef tank maintenance checklist does not need to be complicated. The goal is consistent observation, stable water, clean equipment, and early problem detection. If you do not have time to test and maintain the system regularly, a professional reef aquarium service can help protect both the livestock and the investment.