MelloReef

Maintenance

I get almost as much enjoyment out of maintaining my tank as I do observing it. There's a sense of pride I feel when the tank front is void of fingerprints, the results from the water tests are acceptable, and the corals and critters look happy and healthy. That's my reward for the time I spend maintaining it. The following is my maintenance routine for my tank. There are certain things I do on a Daily; Weekly; and Bi-Monthly basis. I have also listed the additives I put in the tank and the frequency of their addition. I scrub the algae from the inside of the tank only when I can't stand it anymore (usually once a week). I have plenty of Turbo and Astrea Snails that fill in for me on the days I don't feel like scrubbing. My Blue-Legged and Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs try to pitch in with the housecleaning chores, but they're usually more interested in wrestling with each other than cleaning. By far, my best investment was two Fighting Conchs. I had a terrible diatom problem, and within two days of buying these creatures, my sand bed was sparkling white again.

Daily

	Make sure all critters are present and accounted for
	Make sure both powerheads are working
	Check water temperature
	"Top off" sump with R/O Water (if required)

Weekly

	Test water parameters
	Siphon detritus from rocks
	Rinse pre-filter in overflow box

Bi-Monthly

	Perform 10 gallon water change (using store-bought sea water)
	Replace pre-filter in overflow box
	Siphon detritus from sump chamber

Additives

	ESV® B-Ionic Calcium Buffer Solution (2 Part) - daily
	Kent Marine® Coral Accel - daily
	Kent Marine® Strontium & Molybdenum - weekly
	Kent Marine® Essential Elements - weekly
	Kent Marine® Tech I Iodine Supplement - weekly
	Coral-Vital™ - weekly
	Kalwasser Dose by Drip Method - nightly