Checking Equipment Operation.
You can check the proper condition of your equipment either during direct feeding of the fish or when the aquarium lights are turned on and off. It is very important that the water temperature in the aquarium is within the set range, check the condition of the filter and verify normal water flow through it, air should be supplied normally into the aquarium through the pump, and the lighting should work properly. If you use multiple heating devices, you need to check if all of them are working.
If the indicator light on the thermostat indicates that the heater is on, convection currents should be visible in the water directly above the submerged heater. You can simply turn off the electricity and touch the heater (do this with caution — it can be very hot!) to find out if it has warmed up. Heating mats placed under the aquarium and substrate heating cables can only be checked by monitoring the water temperature in the aquarium. If the filter performance is insufficient, the reason may be that the filter medium is clogged.
Aquarium Equipment and Tools.
It must be remembered that if your fish-keeping setup consists of several aquariums, each needs its own set of tools to eliminate the possibility of introducing pathogens, algae, etc.
• Various types of feeders are used for feeding fish. A feeder floating on the water surface is a common accessory in almost every aquarium. To keep it from drifting, it is attached to the glass using a clamp and suction cup. There are also automatic feeders that provide regular dispensing of dry food in the owner’s absence.
• Timer. Plants need a stable photoperiod, so you will need a timer to automatically turn the lighting on and off. In their natural habitat, most tropical plants experience up to 12 hours of daylight. Excessive lighting duration promotes algae growth.
• Thermometer – for measuring water temperature. Three types are used in aquariums: electronic, liquid crystal, and alcohol. Liquid crystal is prettier, while alcohol is more practical in small aquariums such as quarantine and breeding tanks.
• Plastic bucket – for settling, draining, and topping up water, washing substrate, disinfection, etc. The bucket for the aquarium must be dedicated and should not be used for household chores.
• Gravel vacuum (siphon) – designed for cleaning the substrate from fish waste and draining water. You can buy a commercial version or make one yourself.
• Hose – for draining and topping up water. Often, hoses for water drainage are equipped with a primer bulb. A pump is sometimes attached to the hose for filling water. The hose diameter depends on the aquarium volume.
• Glass scrapers – used to clean algae buildup from the glass. A razor-style scraper is suitable for small aquariums and cleaning side and rear panels. Magnetic scrapers come in various sizes and differ in working surface material and magnet clamping force. Small ones are used for cleaning small aquariums made of thin glass, while large ones can clean aquariums made of 10-12 mm glass. You can also use a stiff kitchen sponge to clean the glass.
• Until now, any methods of combating algae and mineral deposits did not eliminate the need to manually remove buildup from the aquarium walls. And now, finally, high technology comes to the rescue. The American company AquaGenesis has developed a fully automated and very compact device for cleaning aquarium glass. The RoboSnail sits quietly and peacefully in the corner of the aquarium, and after a set period of time, it sets off to do the dirty work, saving its owner time and money.
The recommended interval between cleanings is 24 hours. Otherwise, over time, the process gradually becomes more complicated and the coating is harder to remove, which will require additional maintenance sessions. As for time, the device takes about 8-9 minutes to clean an area of approximately 90 x 270 cm. According to the company’s specialists, the robot is very convenient and easy to use. It is easy to install and ready to work immediately. Initially, the RoboSnail moves according to a predetermined cleaning pattern to cover the entire glass surface as much as possible without missing even small areas. At the same time, the software records the location of the edges and the corresponding distances; the obtained data is then stored in the internal memory of the device and used for future cleanings.
After completing the entire process, the robot returns to the base fixed in the corner of the aquarium to recharge until the next cleaning cycle begins. The RoboSnail operates automatically once a day, requiring no outside intervention. However, the user can also manually activate the device if necessary, depending on personal preferences.
• Medium-stiff toothbrush for cleaning lime scale on heaters or filter connections, as well as algae in the corners of the aquarium.
• Fish nets – for catching fish, use nets sized so that the fish fits comfortably inside them. The main thing in a net is the material; it should be soft so as not to damage the fish’s skin.
• Tube brushes – used for cleaning hoses (including external filters) and various valves.
• Scissors – for trimming plants, and tweezers for planting cuttings.
• Power strip with a built-in circuit breaker, preferably rated for the total load of the aquarium equipment.
• A sponge for washing the aquarium and equipment.
• Syringes – used for dosing medications, fertilizers, and other liquids. A syringe is also convenient for feeding fry with micro-dust and *Artemia* nauplii.
• Breeding/isolation box. An isolation box is needed to isolate fish and fry in a general aquarium from larger or aggressive fish in the absence of a separate quarantine tank. Isolation boxes are attached using suction cups or brackets that hook over one of the aquarium walls.
• Aquarium divider. Used to divide the aquarium into separate sections – for example, to isolate aggressive fish from each other, provide peace and quiet for a sick fish, or privacy for spawning fish. A divider is usually a temporary measure used while awaiting a more permanent solution to the problem.
Care of filters, compressors, lighting fixtures.
Water change in the aquarium. Compensation for water evaporation. 
