Maintenance time scales with tank type, size, and complexity. 20-gallon community FW: 30-45 min/week. Includes 25% water change, glass cleaning, filter rinse every 2-3 weeks, weekly testing. 55-gallon planted FW (high-tech): 1-2 hr/week. Bigger water change, fertilizer dosing, plant trimming, glass cleaning, CO2 system check. 75-gallon mixed reef: 2-4 hr/week. Salt mix prep (1 hr), 10% water change, skimmer cup empty, glass cleaning, parameter testing (alk/Ca/Mg/PO4/NO3), refugium pruning, equipment check, dosing pump refill. Daily 5-minute tasks: visual fish check, equipment running, no missing fish, surface skim cup level, ATO reservoir level, food + light timing. Monthly tasks: deep filter clean, replace mechanical media, replace chemical media (carbon, GFO every 4 weeks), substrate vacuum (FW), test salinity calibration, check overflow + drain plumbing. Quarterly tasks: ICP test (reef), heater inspection, pump impeller clean, lighting fixture cleaning. Annual: replace heater, replace UV bulb, replace filter pads/media bags, deep system clean. Time-savers: Apex/Inkbird controllers automate temp + level monitoring; auto-feeders cut daily time; saltwater pre-mix in dedicated barrels.
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