About This Service
Reef and Marine Tank Maintenance
Reef and marine tanks are the most demanding aquariums to keep well. Saltwater chemistry is unforgiving. Coral reacts to the smallest shifts in parameters. Fish that thrive in a well-run reef system can decline quickly if something is not right, and by the time it is obvious to the eye the problem has often been building for days. AquariumCraft provides specialist reef and marine tank maintenance for homes and businesses across North West London. We visit on a regular schedule and manage all the testing, dosing, equipment servicing and husbandry that a saltwater system needs to stay stable and healthy. We work with fish-only marine setups, fish-only with live rock, and full reef tanks with coral. Each of these has different demands and we treat them accordingly. There is no single routine that works for every saltwater tank, so every visit is shaped around what your system actually requires. Reef keeping is one of the most rewarding things you can do in this hobby. It is also one of the easiest to get wrong without the right knowledge. If you are in Harrow, Barnet, Wembley, Finchley, Brent or anywhere across North West London and you want your reef or marine tank looked after properly, get in touch.
What Is Included on Every Visit
Salinity check and adjustment using a calibrated refractometer
Full water parameter test covering ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, pH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium
Protein skimmer cleaning and adjustment
Sump inspection and cleaning
Partial water change using pre-mixed saltwater matched to your system parameters
Glass and acrylic cleaning inside and out
Powerhead and wavemaker inspection and cleaning
Return pump check and flow rate assessment
Coral health check including colour, polyp extension and visible signs of stress
Fish and livestock visual health assessment
Lighting inspection and timer check
Top-off system check and ATO reservoir refill where applicable
Who This Service Is For
This service works well for a wide range of fish keepers across North West London.
Busy Reef Keepers
You have invested heavily in a saltwater system and do not have time to maintain it to the standard it needs. We visit on a regular schedule and keep parameters stable.
Newer Marine Keepers
You have moved from freshwater to marine and are still building confidence with saltwater chemistry. Regular professional visits provide a safety net while you learn.
High-Value Livestock Owners
Reef tanks with expensive coral and sensitive fish need consistent water quality. We test fully on every visit and flag anything that needs attention before it becomes a problem.
Commercial Marine Displays
Restaurants, hotels and premium offices with marine aquariums across North West London. We maintain these to the same standard as any serious home setup.
How It Works
Tell Us About Your System
When you get in touch we ask about your system. Tank size, how long it has been running, what livestock and coral you keep, what your current parameters look like and what equipment you are running. If you have recent test results, share them. The more we know before the first visit the better.
First Visit and Full Assessment
On the first visit we carry out a thorough assessment. We test all key parameters, inspect the equipment and go through the livestock and coral carefully. We tell you what we find, what looks good and what needs attention before we do anything.
We Agree a Maintenance Schedule
We recommend a schedule based on what we see. Most reef tanks benefit from a visit every 2 weeks. Some high-demand systems need more frequent attention, particularly heavily stocked tanks or those with a high coral load. We give you an honest recommendation based on the tank, not a fixed rule.
Regular Visits With Full Parameter Records
On each visit we carry out the full service. We bring our own testing equipment, pre-mixed saltwater and any consumables needed. After every visit you receive a written summary with the parameter readings from that session, building into a record of your tank's chemistry history over time.
Transparent Pricing
Simple, Fixed Pricing. No Hidden Charges.
Reef and marine tank maintenance is priced based on the size of the system, the complexity of the setup, the type and volume of livestock and coral, and the frequency of visits. As a guide, routine maintenance visits for marine and reef systems start from £65. Larger systems, heavily stocked reef tanks and tanks with particularly sensitive or high-value coral are priced individually based on what the job actually requires. Customers on a regular scheduled plan receive a small discount compared to one-off bookings. We give you a fixed price after our first conversation about your system. There are no call-out charges and no surprise costs.
Get Your FREE QuoteFrom
£65
Per Visit
No call-out fees
No hidden charges
Discount for regular scheduled visits
Larger tanks and marine systems quoted individually
Fixed price agreed before every visit
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a reef tank need professional maintenance?
Most reef tanks do best with a visit every 2 weeks. Saltwater parameters shift more quickly than freshwater, and coral in particular is sensitive to changes in alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. Letting these drift between visits causes stress that is sometimes hard to reverse. Some setups with high coral density or demanding livestock benefit from weekly visits. We assess your system on the first appointment and give you a clear recommendation.
Can you maintain a tank that already has coral in it?
Yes. Coral maintenance is a core part of the service. We carry out visual health checks on coral during every visit, looking at polyp extension, colouration and any visible signs of stress or disease. If something does not look right we will tell you what we have observed and what we recommend. We do not move or frag coral without discussing it with you first.
Do you carry out water changes during each visit?
Yes. A partial water change is included in every routine visit. We bring pre-mixed saltwater that is prepared to a salinity matched to your system. Using water that is not properly mixed or the wrong temperature can cause a rapid shift in parameters, which is damaging to coral and fish. We prepare everything correctly before it goes into the tank.
What if my parameters are badly out when you arrive?
If we arrive and find parameters that are significantly off, we will address what we safely can during that visit and tell you honestly what needs to happen next. In some cases a larger corrective water change or a specific treatment is needed. We will not make rapid adjustments that could stress the livestock. Stability matters more than speed in a reef tank and we always work with that in mind.
Can you service the protein skimmer and sump on every visit?
Yes. Protein skimmer cleaning and sump inspection are included in the standard service. A skimmer that is not cleaned regularly loses efficiency quickly, which has a direct effect on water quality. We clean the skimmer cup, neck and body and adjust the output level where needed. The sump is inspected for debris, equipment condition and water level.