Aquarium maintenance log
A maintenance log records each water test, water change and dose with its date. When a fish looks off, the log shows what changed in the weeks before.
Go to the log sheet →What goes in the log
Water tests
Write the date and every reading: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and temperature, plus KH and GH if you test them. A reef adds salinity, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium.
Water changes
Note the date and how much water you changed. A weekly change of 25 to 50 percent suits most stocked freshwater tanks.
Filter care
Note when you rinsed the media or swapped a pad. Rinse media in old tank water, since tap water can kill the bacteria the filter relies on.
Dosing
Write down each fertilizer, conditioner or supplement and the amount you dosed.
Livestock
Record every fish, shrimp, snail or plant that goes in, and any loss, with its date.
What you notice
Cloudy water, an algae bloom or a fish off its food all belong in the log. One short line is enough.
A fish tank maintenance schedule
These cadences are common starting points, and TankBud's reminders open on the same ones. A tank's own readings decide whether it needs more or less.
Print the log or download it
The sheet has a row for each test day and a column for each reading. Print it to keep beside the test kit, or download the spreadsheet for Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets.
Aquarium maintenance log
| Date | Temp (°F) | pH | Ammonia (ppm) | Nitrite (ppm) | Nitrate (ppm) | Water change (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
tankbud.com · the aquarist's logbook
Keep the log in TankBud
TankBud keeps the same log without the paper. Each water test lands on a chart beside the tank's target range, and reminders repeat on your schedule.
Common questions
How often should I test aquarium water?
Test every day or two while a new tank cycles, until ammonia and nitrite both read 0. After that, a weekly test before the water change suits most tanks.
How often should I clean a fish tank?
Most stocked tanks need a water change each week and a filter rinse about once a month. Vacuum the gravel and wipe the glass at the water change.
How much water should I change in a fish tank?
A weekly change of 25 to 50 percent suits most stocked freshwater tanks. A tank whose nitrate reads over 20 ppm needs bigger or more frequent changes.
What should ammonia, nitrite and nitrate read?
Ammonia and nitrite should read 0 in a cycled tank. Nitrate should stay under 20 ppm in a freshwater community tank, the target TankBud's General freshwater profile uses.
Is a paper log or an app better?
Paper works if it stays next to the test kit. An app draws each reading on a chart and reminds you when a job is due.
Can I use the log for a saltwater tank?
Yes. Add salinity, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium as columns in the spreadsheet. TankBud's Reef tank profile checks those readings too.
Start the log today
TankBud is free for hobbyists. Add a tank, log the first test, and set the water change reminder.