Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance

Saltwater aquarium maintenance is a job that is done by not only the aquarium enthusiast but also the "clean up crew", which include invertebrates, snails, and starfish. For the aquarium owner, the most important job is maintaining water chemistry, such as calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Ideally, calcium must be between 450-500 ppm (parts per million), alkalinity between 9-10 dKH, and magnesium between 1350-1400 ppm. If these are not within their specified parameters, it could lead to poor coral growth and dead fish. Another responsibility is for the owner to periodically clean the inside and outside of the aquarium glass. Lastly, it is also important for the owner to empty and clean the protein skimmer, which is responsible for collecting dissolved organics from the water.
The main duties of the "clean up crew" include eating algae off the glass and rocks, eating uneaten food and detritus (waste or debri of any kind), and cleaning the sand bed.