Maintenance & Water Parameters

Start here to master maintenance & water parameters for a healthy freshwater aquarium. This hub points you to simple routines for cleaning your tank, safe water-change practices, and clear explainers on pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH/KH, and temperature. Check our step-by-step guide to clean a fish tank without harming beneficial bacteria, then learn how to test and stabilize water quality so your fish and plants thrive. You’ll also find tips to avoid common mistakes—over-cleaning, rushing large water changes, or ignoring rising nitrates—and quick links to beginner-friendly checklists. Use this page as your shortcut to the essentials and dive deeper whenever you’re ready.