maintenance
How to Maintain a Healthy Reef Tank
A simple weekly and monthly rhythm for water changes, testing, and maintenance that keeps a reef tank stable long-term.
Coral Connect Team
June 3, 2026
1 min read
A thriving reef is the product of small, consistent habits — not heroic weekend overhauls. Here's a rhythm that keeps most tanks stable.
Weekly
- Test alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium — these drive coral growth.
- Top off evaporated water with RO/DI to hold salinity steady.
- Glass cleaning and a quick visual check of every coral.
Every two weeks
- 10–20% water change with a quality reef salt.
- Clean pumps and powerheads of any film or buildup.
Monthly
- Test nitrate and phosphate — aim for low but not zero. Corals need some nutrients.
- Replace or rinse filter media and inspect your skimmer.
Write your numbers down. A logbook turns guesswork into a trend you can actually read, and makes it obvious when something drifts before it becomes a problem.
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