Dallas Aquarium Experts offers Aquarium Services as well as an Online Aquarium Store.

We know using a professional aquarium service isn’t for everyone. So, we wanted to share information and experience about aquarium maintenance for new hobbyist.  The most important part of saltwater aquarium maintenance is regular and consistent water changes. On average, a saltwater aquarium will require a water partial water change every two weeks.  Every aquarium as its own unique environment due to variables such as, livestock and biological load (bio load), water volume, and filtration systems.  There are many different Aquarium Filtration Systems.  At our Online Aquarium Store you can view the different aquarium filtration systems we recommend and use on when installing custom aquariums for our service clients by clicking here.

How Often Should You Change the Water in Your Saltwater Aquarium?

The size of water changes each aquarium will require depends on the water chemistry.  On average we recommend a 20% to 35% water change at any given time. We offer a more detailed understanding of the target water parameters on the Dallas Aquarium Experts homepage which you can visit by clicking here.

Saltwater Aquarium Protein Skimmers

Organic compounds are by-products of food waste. Adding a Protein Skimmer as a part of the filtration system in a saltwater aquarium can help great reduce organic waste, helping to reduce nitrate and phosphate building up to the point a water change is required. There are many protein skimmers on the market.  We offer a selection of the most efficient protein skimmers on the market. You can view the skimmers we recommend to our saltwater aquarium service clients on our Online Aquarium Store by clicking here.

It is recommended to use a siphon to hydro-vacuum a crushed coral substrate bottom.  When using a live sand substrate, the hydro vacuum method can be tricky because the siphon will remove the sand if you aren’t careful with the water flow.  Also, with live sand bottom tanks, when possible incorporate sand sifting fish, invertebrates or sand sifting starfish to help turn the sand and keep it looking clean.  Most of the Dallas Aquarium Experts shop tanks don’t have a substrate bottom.  We find the water changes become more effective at removing the toxic waste products such as fish excrement and uneaten food particles inside the aquarium.

What water should I use to mix up saltwater?

It is recommended that only reverse osmosis de-ionized (RODI) water is used when mixing new saltwater. Most municipal water system’s water which has a combination of chloramines and chlorine, iron, phosphates, and other heavy metals.  We offer selection of reverse osmosis systems used for filtering aquarium water at our Online Aquarium Store, to check them out click here.

Saltwater aquariums require cleaning to ensure proper functioning and avoid unnecessary costs. The maintenance schedule largely depends on your system type different filter systems require different maintenance schedules.

You can set your own aquarium maintenance schedule but keep your eye on the goal. It’s not easy but with consistency, patience, and focus, you will sync into the right schedule. Consistency is the key.

CONTACT us for a Free Service Aquarium Estimate

Schedule a free consultation where a reliable and professional service technician will come to your home or business and access your current situation. Before you make your decision on an Aquarium Maintenance Company in Dallas, allow us the opportunity to provide you a free consultation regarding your current Aquarium or we can provide an estimate on a new aquarium set-up and aquarium maintenance. Your fish will reward you with their natural beauty and years of enjoyment.

• Call us at (469) 450-3900