We get asked this quite a bit, usually after someone has bought an aquarium and realised there is a little more involved than feeding the fish.
The first thing to know is that aquarium maintenance is not really a “one size fits all” service.
A small freshwater tank with a few tropical fish is usually pretty straightforward. A large reef tank full of coral is a different story altogether. Both are aquariums, but the amount of work behind the scenes can be worlds apart.
Bigger Tanks Usually Mean More Work
This catches some people by surprise.
A larger aquarium does not just hold more water. It often means larger filters, longer cleaning times and bigger water changes.
That is why maintenance costs for a 100 litre tank are going to look very different from a large built in display aquarium.
Saltwater Aquariums Need More Attention
Freshwater aquariums are generally easier to keep on top of.
With marine aquariums, there is usually more testing involved and water quality tends to be a little less forgiving. Corals, in particular, can be quite sensitive if conditions are not right.
That is not a reason to avoid a marine aquarium. It is just something worth knowing before you get one.
The Aquarium’s Condition Matters Too
Two aquariums can be exactly the same size and still take completely different amounts of time to service.
We have seen tanks that only need a quick tidy up and others where the glass is covered in algae and the filters have not been touched in months.
Naturally, one takes longer than the other.
Most People Start Out Doing It Themselves
And honestly, plenty of people do a great job.
But life gets busy.
A missed water change turns into two. The algae starts creeping in. The filter gets pushed down the to do list.
Before long, the aquarium is not looking quite the way it did when it was first set up.
That is usually when people give us a call.
So What Does It Actually Cost?
There is not a flat rate that works for every aquarium.
A small freshwater setup is very different from a large reef tank, and the amount of maintenance required can vary quite a bit.
That’s why most maintenance providers prefer to have a look at the tank before putting together a quote.
Wrapping Up
A bit of regular maintenance is much easier than dealing with algae, cloudy water or equipment issues later on. We have seen plenty of aquariums that could have been kept in great shape with a little ongoing care, but ended up needing far more work than necessary after being neglected for months.
If you are based in Melbourne and finding it hard to keep up with aquarium maintenance, that’s where we can help. At https://atlantisandco.com.au/, we look after everything from small freshwater tanks to large marine displays, tailoring our service to suit your aquarium’s needs. If you are unsure how often your tank should be cleaned or serviced, get in touch – we are always happy to have a chat and see what might work best for your setup.