MAX
®
S-Series LED Installation & Operation Manual’s
16
Maintenance
The long-term success and health of the inhabitants of your MAX
®
aquarium depends on you. Proper
planning makes reef care easier to manage and quicker to perform. This will leave you more time for the
real goal: enjoying your aquarium. Care of the tank should follow a regular, logical pattern. Divide the tasks
into daily, weekly and monthly procedures, including equipment checks, feeding, water parameter testing
and adjustments.
You may find it helpful to make a systematic checklist of care activities and keep a log of the activities
performed
� Your log does not need to be complicated; you will need to track the following:
• The tank’s parameters – pH, salinity, temperature, etc.
• Information specific to each animal – when you added them, their approximate size, date of death
(it happens in the most successful aquaria!) and possible cause, etc.
• The general appearance of the tank and individual species.
• Equipment changes.
Circulation - Maintain adequate water circulation by checking that the circulation pumps are working well
and are pointed in the right directions. If you notice any regression in currents, check the inlet of each pump
and the outlet nozzles for any obstructions (snails, crabs, carbon chips, etc.).
Protein skimmer functioning - Check the foam production in the collection cup and adjust the water and air
flow valve as required to get stable dry foam.
Water levels - Check daily the water level in the rear chamber and adjust the flow valve as required. Check
the water level in the Top-up reservoir. Check the water level in the sump. Check that the top-up float valve
is operating correctly.
Water temperature control - For optimum conditions a reef aquarium should be maintained at a stable
water temperature in the range of 24-28°C / 76-82°F (the stability of the temperature being more
important than the exact value). Slightly higher temperatures can be tolerated for short periods of time as
long as the change in temperature is steady and not sudden. Monitor the temperature at least twice a day,
looking for dramatic fluctuations.
Avoid temperature differences of more than 2°C / 7°F during the day. During season changes and when
heating or cooling the house, monitor the tank temperature more frequently, adjusting the heater/chiller as
necessary.
Change the carbon filter - Replace the active carbon filter every two months.
Clean the pump impellers and housing - Calcium carbonate builds up on the pump motors. Every 3 months,
submerge each pump in a mixture of hot water and vinegar. Remember to properly turn off and disconnect
each pump.
Micron Filter bags - It is recommended to have at least 3 sets of filter bags.
There are a few options for cleaning the filter bags:
Quick and effective – Spray the outside of the bags with a powerful water jet such as a garden hose to back-
flush the detritus from the felt.
More thorough – soak the bags in bleach or diluted vinegar for 24 hours prior to spraying as above. Rinse
well to remove all chemicals before returning to sump.
The filter bags can also be put in a cold wash in a washing machine with regular detergent or with vinegar
(may require approval from a higher authority).
Surface Skimmer - Remove and clean the combs of the surface skimmer at least once a week to allow
proper water flow and stable water level differentiation between the aquarium and the rear sump.
Periodically soak the combs in a weak acidic solution (vinegar, citric acid) until any calcium carbonate
deposits have dissolved.
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