If you tear down a dirty fish tank, you'll lose all the beneficial bacterial colonies that eliminate the animals' waste. Razor blade (plastic blade for acrylic tanks), Bucket (use a new bucket that is for aquarium use only), Chlorine remover (aquarium water conditioner). Clean the gravel next, by using a water siphon to vacuum away the debris. Clean the Filter Two Weeks Later The best tool for the job is, without doubt, a gravel washer. We're cleaning the tank every week, every two weeks, every three weeks. Put the end of the hose into the fish tank and put the other end of the hose draining into a bucket. Buy algae pads at a pet shop instead of the housewares department of a regular store. Fish tank vacuums are designed to quickly and easily remove bits of uneaten food and other waste that settles to the bottom of the tank. Although they may look the same, the housewares pads can have soap or chemical residue. However, a fish tank gravel vacuum isn't the only alternative. Clean the sides of the fish tank with an algae scraper. This will remove any algae on the glass. If the tank it too dry, then wet the paper towel with tap water. If you detect ammonia or nitrites and the fish are in distress at any time, follow Method 6 (below) for emergency care. and any other tank decorations with warm water. Don't put them back in the aquarium until there is no more chlorine smell present. Aquarium fish require specific water conditions in order to survive and flourish. If the tank is small then a turkey baster can be used instead. Standard lime cleaners are even more toxic. You can easily test these levels with an at home fish tank test kit. An algae scraper is easy to use. If care is taken to use water that is the same temperature as the aquarium water and the media is quickly returned to the filter, the bacterial colonies growing on them will not be lost entirely. Why Clean a Fish Tank. Follow these simple and easy steps to clean your fish tank without killing your fish, An aquarium, a plastic gravel cleaner (or just a tube to syphon water), a bucket, water dechlorinater, aquarium bacteria, and a water testing kit. Add some live bacteria to the water to replace the bacteria which has been removed. For particularly stubborn cleaning problems, prepare a 10 percent bleach solution and soak the items for 15 minutes. The major cleaning you just performed disturbed the beneficial bacterial colonies on the plants, rocks, and gravel. Other fish tank equipment can be soaked in vinegar for 24-48 hours, then you should scrub them and rinse again with clean water; Gently wipe the tank with this vinegar liquid and wash them with water later, it is similar to how to clean an empty fish tank. Killing these colonies by mistake can then be disastrous to the health of your fish tank. Two days later his Betta IS NOW DEAD. The tank should be completely empty before you clean it. There are several types of siphons available, all of which work essentially the same. You should never clean the filter with tap water because this will kill the bacteria on it. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. As a beginner, you may think why it’s required to clean a fish tank every week or month, but expert aquarist says, without a clean and safe environment, fish and other water species may not survive for a long time. Once the inside of the aquarium is cleaned, clean the hood, light, tank top, and outside glass. Once the inside glass is clean, remove rocks, artificial plants, and decorations that have significant algae growth or are noticeably dirty. You can do this as the same time as cleaning the gravel by using a plastic gravel cleaner with a hose attached. Rinse the fish tank and removable items twice. Transfer some water from the fish bowl to a clean, soap-free container, then use a fishnet to transfer the betta. A typical tale of woe is an aquarium owner who hadn't been doing partial water changes since he set up the tank a year ago. Never use regular soap to clean the filter medium, because it will likely kill your fish. He said they rinsed it good after I told him soap would kill the fish. ceramic rings, filter fiber, or sponges) should be gently rinsed to remove debris and returned to the filter instead of replaced. Once the outside is clean, the rocks, plants, and other decorations may be returned to the tank. For loads more how-to videos check out our brand spanking new website! Slowly fill up your tank to the full capacity. Do not clean them with soap or detergents. There are some necessary reasons defined below that will help you mention the reasons to clean an aquarium. Suck up the gravel into the cleaner. The filter medium is usually a sponge which you should rinse out in the bucket of water that you just got from your tank. Ideal situation would be to remove 25 to 30% of water every 2 weeks. Leaving the betta in the tank is usually best for the fish. Aquarium-safe glass cleaner or a vinegar-based solution. Why wait? Regular glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is toxic to fish. To bleach live plants prepare a 5 percent bleach solution, soak the plants for two to three minutes, then rinse well. Usually, a good scrub with an algae scraper in warm water will remove the algae and dirt from rocks and plants. When your fish tank heater is set up inside the aquarium, ensure that your fish can’t get caught between the heater and something else. Fortunately, many beneficial bacteria reside within the filter media, so you haven't completely upset the ecosystem. Assembly takes all of 10 minutes, and the instructions are easy to follow even if you lack a green thumb or familiarity with fish. Cleaning the tank might bring a lot of stress to … Clean your aquarium in the following order: Start by giving the glass a good cleaning on the inside with an algae pad. The vinegar and salt will remove any hard water stains and fishy smells. Repeat this process again to remove any remaining bleach residue in the tank. The number of chemicals and nitrate must be controlled in your tank. However, stem plants are not tolerant of bleaching. However, if the fish bowl is too small to easily reach in and clean without hitting the fish or blocking its access to the air, move the fish before cleaning. Metal or plastic razor blade (optional, be careful with acrylic tanks, as these scratch easier). Once you've gotten your tank in shape, make sure you clean it on a regular basis so it never needs a major spring cleaning again. Pour this into a bucket and add some dechlorinater to make the water safe for your fish. 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of bleach per 3–4 US gal (11–15 l) of water in a separate container (optional). You should unplug your aquarium heater during water changes to prevent it from being exposed to air as the water level drops. A filter brush will help clear out the sludge that builds up in all the small crevices. Your fish tank requires a certain number of bacteria in it to process your fish’s waste.