EXOTIC AQUARIUMS · SAN DIEGO
Questions,
answered.
Straight answers about aquarium maintenance, advanced water testing, emergency service, reef and freshwater care, koi ponds, installations, moves and live-fish pickup in San Diego County.
MAINTENANCE & SERVICE
How often should an aquarium be professionally serviced?
Service frequency depends on tank size, livestock load, filtration, feeding, plant or coral growth and what is handled between visits. Weekly or bi-weekly service is common, but we set frequency around the actual system.
What is included in a routine aquarium service visit?
Visits can include livestock and equipment inspection, water testing, glass and detail cleaning, water changes when appropriate, filtration or media checks, equipment adjustments and recommendations based on the system.
How much does aquarium maintenance cost in San Diego?
Pricing varies with tank size, system type, stocking, service frequency, equipment, access, travel and supplies. Send us your tank size, location and a few photos for a service quote.
Do you service aquariums you did not install?
Yes. We regularly take over existing systems. We evaluate the aquarium and equipment first, then recommend what should stay, change or be corrected.
Can you troubleshoot algae, cloudy water, nitrate, phosphate or other water-quality problems?
Yes. We look beyond the visible symptom and evaluate filtration, maintenance habits, nutrient balance, stocking, feeding, flow, source water and equipment performance to find the underlying cause.
Do you offer emergency aquarium service after hours?
Yes. For urgent aquarium problems, Exotic Aquariums provides emergency response, including nights and after-hours when a system needs immediate attention. Equipment failures, leaks, temperature or oxygenation problems, sudden water-quality issues and livestock distress are situations where fast stabilization can matter. Contact us immediately with photos, tank size and what is happening.
SALTWATER, REEF & ADVANCED TESTING
Do you specialize in saltwater and reef aquarium maintenance?
Yes. Saltwater and reef systems are our specialty. We provide recurring maintenance, chemistry and nutrient management, filtration care, troubleshooting, equipment upgrades and overall system optimization.
Do you offer ICP water testing for reef aquariums?
Yes. We use ICP water testing when a reef system needs a deeper look than routine hobby testing can provide. It can help evaluate major and trace elements and identify possible contaminants or imbalances, giving us better information for troubleshooting and long-term chemistry management.
Can you design an aquarium to be lower maintenance long term?
Yes. The goal is not a maintenance-free aquarium; it is a stable, efficient system that is easier to care for. We use biological filtration, natural nutrient export and refugium-style ecosystems where appropriate, correct equipment sizing, automation and monitoring so the aquarium works with its biology instead of constantly fighting it.
Can you install or upgrade aquarium equipment and automation?
Yes. We work with filtration, pumps, skimmers, UV, controllers, monitoring, automation, plumbing and other equipment upgrades, along with new-system installations and improvements to existing setups.
FRESHWATER & PLANTED
Do you service freshwater and planted aquariums?
Yes. We provide freshwater and planted aquarium service throughout San Diego County, including routine cleaning, plant care, water-quality management, filtration, algae troubleshooting and equipment upgrades. Explore freshwater service →
Can you troubleshoot freshwater water-quality and clarity problems?
Yes. We evaluate the parameters and conditions that matter to the specific aquarium, along with filtration, stocking, feeding, source water, maintenance history and equipment. The goal is to correct the cause of cloudy water, instability or recurring livestock and plant issues rather than repeatedly treating the symptom.
Can you help with algae in a freshwater or planted aquarium?
Yes. Algae control usually means balancing several things at once: lighting, plant growth, nutrients, feeding, filtration, maintenance and overall biological stability. We look at the complete system and make practical corrections instead of relying on cosmetic cleanup alone.
KOI PONDS & WATER FEATURES
Do you maintain koi ponds and water features?
Yes. We service koi ponds and water features with a focus on filtration, water quality, algae management, circulation, equipment and ongoing care. Explore koi pond service →
How do you handle koi pond water-quality problems?
We look at the pond as a complete biological system. Depending on the problem, that can include testing relevant water parameters, reviewing fish load and feeding, checking filtration and circulation, evaluating oxygenation and inspecting how effectively the system is processing waste.
Can you help with green water or recurring algae in a koi pond?
Yes. We evaluate sunlight, nutrient load, circulation, filtration, maintenance and equipment performance, then address the factors that are allowing algae to keep returning. In some systems, UV or filtration changes can also be part of the solution.
Can you upgrade koi pond filtration, UV, pumps or aeration?
Yes. We can evaluate pond pumps, filtration, UV, aeration, circulation and related equipment and recommend practical upgrades when they improve water quality, reliability or ease of maintenance.
MOVES, SAN DIEGO & LIVE FISH
Can you move an established aquarium?
Yes. We handle aquarium moves and transports, planning around livestock, water, rock, equipment and the destination setup so the transition is managed carefully.
What areas does Exotic Aquariums service?
We are based in Alpine and focus on aquarium and pond service throughout San Diego County. Contact us with your city and project details if you are unsure whether you are within our normal service area.
Do you ship live fish?
No. Live fish are in-person pickup only. Exotic Aquariums does not ship live fish. Contact us to confirm availability and pickup details before making the trip.
How do I arrange live-fish pickup?
Contact us to confirm the fish is available and arrange pickup details. Inventory can change, so we recommend confirming before traveling. Pickup is in person only.