Weekly Maintenance Routine for Your Planted Aquarium

A planted aquarium is a beautiful underwater world,but keeping it looking fresh and healthy takes some work! Many beginners struggle with algae, cloudy water, or dying plants because they don’t have a proper maintenance routine. But don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll break down a simple, beginner-friendly weekly maintenance routine that will keep your aquarium thriving.

Why Is Weekly Maintenance Important?

Regular maintenance keeps your tank in top shape and prevents common problems like:

• Algae growth – If waste builds up, algae will take over.

• Dirty, cloudy water – Too much waste or uneaten food can turn water yellow or green.

• Dying plants – Without care, plants won’t get the nutrients they need.

• Sick fish & shrimp – Poor water quality can stress or harm aquatic life.

Step-by-Step Weekly Maintenance Routine

1. Check the Plants & Fish First 

Before touching anything, take a few minutes to observe your tank. Look for:

• Yellowing or melting leaves – This means plants might need more nutrients.

• Sick or stressed fish – Check if they are swimming normally and eating well.

• Algae growth – Small amounts are normal, but excess algae means something is off.

  
  

2. Remove Dead Leaves & Trimming 

Plants grow fast, and some leaves will naturally die off. Use aquarium scissors to:

• Trim yellow or melting leaves – This stops plants from wasting energy on them.

• Cut overgrown plants – If plants are growing too tall, trim them to keep a balanced look.

• Remove floating debris – Dead leaves can cause ammonia spikes.

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3. Clean the Glass & Remove Algae 

Even in a healthy tank, algae can grow on the glass. Use a magnet cleaner or algae scraper to clean the front glass so you can enjoy a clear view of your tank!

• For tough algae – Use a razor blade (for glass tanks only) or a toothbrush for decoration cleaning.

• For mild algae – A simple magnet scrubber is enough.

• For brown algae – Clean your filter and check if your lighting is too low.

4. Siphon the Substrate & Remove Waste 

Over time, waste, uneaten food, and plant debris sink into the substrate. This can cause water quality problems if not removed regularly.

• Use a gravel vacuum to gently clean the top layer of the substrate.

• For sand tanks – Hover the siphon just above the sand to avoid sucking up too much.

• For planted tanks with root feeders – Be careful not to disturb plant roots!

5. Do a Partial Water Change (20-30%) 

Changing 20-30% of the water every week helps remove toxins, nitrates, and excess nutrients that could cause algae.

• Use dechlorinated water – Tap water contains chlorine, which can harm fish & plants.

• Match the temperature – Sudden changes can stress fish.

• Slowly pour new water to avoid disturbing the substrate.

  
  

6. Clean the Filter - but Not Every Week

Filters collect waste and grow beneficial bacteria, so they shouldn’t be over-cleaned. Instead:

• Rinse sponge filters in old tank water (not tap water!) every 2-4 weeks.

• Clean canister filters every 1-2 months.

• Replace carbon media every 3-4 weeks if you use it.

7. Dose Fertilizers & Check CO2 

If you have a heavily planted tank, your plants need nutrients to grow well.

• Liquid fertilizers – Add nutrients like iron, potassium, and micronutrients as needed.

• Root tabs – If you have plants like Amazon Swords or Cryptocorynes, add root tabs under them.

• Check CO2 levels – If you use a CO2 system, make sure it's working properly.

  
  

8. Check Lights & Adjust If Needed 

Too much or too little light can cause algae problems or slow plant growth.

• Most planted tanks need 6-8 hours of light per day.

• If you have algae issues, reduce the light period by 1-2 hours.

• Use a timer to keep the lighting schedule consistent.

  
  

Keeping a planted tank healthy doesn’t have to be hard! Just follow this simple weekly routine:

✔ Check plants & fish for problems

✔ Trim dead leaves & remove plant debris

✔ Clean the glass & remove algae

✔ Siphon waste from the substrate

✔ Do a 20-30% water change

✔ Clean the filter when needed

✔ Dose fertilizers & check CO2

✔ Adjust lighting if necessary

With this easy routine, your aquarium will stay clean, healthy, and beautiful all the time!

Got any more questions? Drop them in the comments below! Happy fishkeeping! 🎉