Goldfish Station

Daily

- Feed the goldfish twice a day.

- Turn the tank lights on and off.

- Check the water temperature.

- Check the heater and make sure the thermostat light is on.

- Make sure the filters are still in working order.

- Make sure the aerator is working.

Weekly

- Study the fish for diseases by observing them closely in the tank.

- Change approximately 10 percent of the aquarium water.

- Add distilled water to make up for any evaporated water.

- Check the filter to see if the top matt needs to be replaced.

- Vacuum the tank thoroughly, and attempt to clean up all mulm.

- Test the water for pH, nitrates and softness (first two months).

- Trim any brown portions of live plants.

Monthly

- Change 25 percent of the water; replace with distilled water.

- Clean the tank's glass on inside using an algae scraper.

- Vacuum the tank thoroughly, stirring up the gravel and eliminating mulm.

- Trim any brown portions of plants and replace them if necessary.

- Test the water for pH, nitrates and softness.

- Wash off any tank decorations that suffer from dirt buildup.

Quarterly

- Change 50 percent of the water; replace with distilled water.

- Replace the air stones.

- Rinse the filter materials completely and change them if necessary.

- Wash the gravel in really dirty places.

- Clean the glass on the inside using an algae scraper.

- Vacuum the tank thoroughly, stirring up the gravel and eliminating mulm.

- Trim any brown portions of plants and replace them if necessary.

- Test the water for pH, nitrates and softness.

- Wash off any decorations that suffer from dirt buildup.

Yearly

- Do a total strip-down; replace the filter medium with new matt and charcoal.

- Replace the air stones.

- Wash the gravel entirely.

- Clean the inside of the tank thoroughly.

- Start up all over again.