Without a vacuum, cleaning gravel is a tricky process and could take a while, but it’s definitely doable. Clean the filter, thermostat and tubes. Add water to the tank. Siphon to Clean Aquarium Gravel Clean the gravel next, by using a water siphon to vacuum away the debris. Note: Many aquarium hobbyists like to strain the gravel over a clear bowl so they can observe the water clarity, as well as prevent bits of gravel grit from going down the drain. Wipe the inside of the fish tank dry using a paper towel and place the clean gravel back into the aquarium. Hold the strainer under fast running tap water and rinsing the gravel thoroughly. Once the new aquarium gravel is cleaned, its time to soak the gravel in decholorinated water. If you love the idea of having an aquarium, but don't want to commit to maintaining a large tank, a Betta fish tank may be the best option. Fill the empty bucket with tap water and add dechlorinator per the instructions on the label. Put all the gravel back into the tank, mixing together the dirty and clean gravel. To do this, use the algae pad to clean the inside wall of the tank. Next, separate out about a pound of gravel and place it in your aquarium strainer. Transcript. The primary reason you should clean your gravel is to get rid of any mulm buildup between the rocks. It has been specifically designed to be very easy to use even if you are brand new to aquarium keeping. Step 9 [1] X Research source Prepare a smaller tank or a clean container to hold your fish. As the bucket is filling, vigorously agitate the gravel. There are loads of affordable (I almost want to call them cheap) gravel vacuums available online that will make your life so much easier. How to Clean Fish Tank Gravel with a Vacuum Kit A siphon vacuum gravel cleaner is used to vacuum aquarium gravel. Fill the sieve half full of gravel. Pour water over the gravel in the sieve, while gently shaking it. About 20 minutes should do. The system works by... #Step 01– Unplug. Do not remove your fish, decorations, or plants from the tank. The Tera Pump Aquarium Cleaner is the perfect solution to clean your aquarium gravel without needing to do a full water change. The pump comes with two different types of nozzles to make it easier to that are easy to switch between to allow you to clean your gravel in different ways. How Often Should I Clean My Fish Tank Filter? What you’ll need to clean aquarium gravel: waterproof gloves, two aquarium buckets, an aquarium strainer, access to tap water, and water dechlorinator. It’s home to leftover food, debris, and fish waste. Cleaning the gravel 1. Our site uses cookies. Let the gravel soak in the bucket for a few minutes to soften up any dust, debris or grit that may exist. A Step By Step Guide To Cleaning Fish Tank Gravel Without A Vacuum. How to Clean Your Aquarium After gravel has soaked, pour the water out of the bucket and refill it with tap water just as before. Pour your dechlorinated water into your bucket of clean aquarium gravel with enough water to cover the gravel by a couple of inches. By continuing to use our site you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. Top 5 Best Fish Tank Thermometers in 2018. It works by using gravity and hydrostatic pressure to suck dirt from substrates and help dispose of outside the tank. Mix the dirty gravel as well and refill the tank with clean water. Use a cup to take the dirty gravel out and place almost all of it into a sieve. Heavier materials sink to the bottom. So, it’s best to clean new aquarium gravel thoroughly before it goes in. Prepare a smaller tank or a clean container to hold your fish. What does a gravel vacuum do? Rinse the gravel with treated water. Use a hosepipe to clean the gravel in a sieve. Having some uncleaned gravel is healthy – it makes re-colonizing easier for the new bacteria. Don't worry, the cleaning process is quick, so your fish will be fine. Unplug the heater, filter, and pump. The best tool for the job is, without doubt, a gravel washer. Use a siphon to remove 25-50% of the water and replace it with fresh, treated water at the same temperature for a freshwater aquarium. Disconnecting the main power supply means you should unplug the fish tank and make sure no connections remain unsevered. Keeping your fish tank gravel clean is very important for maintaining a healthy aquarium. Use a siphon gravel vacuum, with an attached hose to clean the gravel and remove the water. The best filters in our review are Fluval FX6 Canister Filter, Penn Plax Cascade 1500, and the AquaClear 110. They have a harder, grittier texture. Empty the dechlorinated water from the bucket and your clean aquarium gravel is ready go into the tank. The best canister filters in our review are the Fluval FX6, the Penn Plax Cascade filter, and the Eheim 2217 canister filter. and any other tank decorations with warm water. The Fluval EDGE Gravel Cleaner is a convenient and effective tool for cleaning and maintaining a spotless aquarium. They have a dusty filmy texture. If you own a large tank, you should definitely buy a gravel vacuum because it makes the process much easier. The first step of cleaning your fish tank gravel is to disconnect the main power supply. It's got a two inch diameter, maybe twelve to twenty-four inch tube, connected to a five-eighths or three-quarter inch flexible hose that's maybe four to eight feet long that goes into a bucket. Fill a clean bucket with water that is the same temperature as your tank’s water, and de-chlorinate the water with a biological aquarium supplement. Repeat the process until all of your gravel has been rinsed through a strainer. Let the clean gravel soak in the dechlorinated water for a while. Even though new aquarium gravel may be marketed as “pre-rinsed” or “pre-cleaned” by manufacturers, bags of new aquarium gravel often contain dust, debris or grit. Removing the Fishes from the Tank Without a vacuum, cleaning gravel is a tricky process and could take a while, but it’s definitely doable. By utilising a syphon-like suction tube to displace the gravel at the bottom of the tank, a gravel washer is able to successfully clean the bottom of your tank without having to empty the whole tank or remove any fish. Treat this process as a water change and make sure to save at least 50% of water. Using a net, gently get your fish out of the water and transfer them into the container. Carefully refill your tank with clean water you’ve already prepared. Home » Water Quality » Cleaning New Aquarium Gravel. Even though new aquarium gravel may be marketed as “pre-rinsed” or “pre-cleaned” by manufacturers, bags of new aquarium gravel often contain dust, debris or grit. Gently pour the water from your fish tank through a colander. How to Clean Fish Tank Gravel Without Removing Water- Two Ways If you are ready to say goodbye to the nuisance of draining all the water in your fish tank and struggling to capture all your fish just to clean the gravel once or twice or month, you will be glad to know that there are two great ways to clean thoroughly: with a vacuum kit or a DIY vacuum. If you keep these points in mind then your sand will always be clean. Place the new aquarium gravel in an aquarium bucket. Fill the bucket with tap water, covering the gravel by about an inch. Step 3: Start Vacuuming the Entire Aquarium Substrate. It is important to clean the gravel at least twice a month to maintain a balanced ecosystem within the aquarium. A vacuum kit would be an excellent treat to your fish tank. Do this several times until the water coming off your gravel runs clean and clear. Repeat this process a few times until the water coming from underneath is crystal clear. The longer nozzle is the best fit for removing eith… Also, the dye used to color new aquarium gravel can discolor tank water as well. You have two ways to clean the gravels: Take out the stones and take them in a container, you can put them in a sieve to clean. Wash it thoroughly by stirring it around. Want to know how to clean fish tank gravel without a vacuum? Properly cleaning new aquarium gravel is an important first step in keeping water quality high. Can Male And Female Betta Fish Live Together? If you’re not interested in spending money on getting an aquarium gravel vacuum, keep reading ahead. Step 2: Get the vacuum ready with a plastic tube/priming ball/python. This container must be completely sterile and since any traces of detergent or chemicals can be very dangerous for your fish, make sure not to use soap or other cleaning agents. Refill the tank with clean cold tap water. However, if you own a smaller tank, this isn’t necessary. Pour the water out and repeat the process several times until the water looks clear, clean, free of floating film, dust, debris and grit. Colored gravel can be a pretty sight. The best way to clean fish tank gravel is by using a “gravel vacuum”. Use vacuum siphon to collect the debris and waste Consider adding snails to your tank if suitable, snail helps keep the tank clean and look great. Change tank filter once a month. Trying to rinse too much gravel at once may not remove all the dust, debris or grit. Hobbyists may think these small particles can be removed by an aquarium filter. To work with the vacuum cleaner, you need to unplug the heater, filter and air pump. Cloudiness caused by insufficiently cleaning new aquarium gravel can be difficult to clear up once the tank is assembled. Add some de-chlorinating agent to the water. It’s also a good idea to clean new aquarium gravel in batches of no more than 5 pounds each. Use a gravel vacuum to clean the substrate and clean the exterior glass with diluted vinegar to remove deposits. The small particles can end up back in the water column, causing the tank to look cloudy. Once the gravel is thoroughly rinsed, place the gravel in your second bucket. This container must be completely sterile and since any traces of detergent or chemicals can be very dangerous for your fish, make sure not to use soap or other cleaning agents. Tinted tank water is not. It’s a good idea to use waterproof gloves when cleaning new aquarium gravel. Step 8. The top performers in our review are the RISEPRO aquarium thermometer, the LXSZRPH digital fish tank thermometer, and the Hallcrest A-1005 fish tank thermometer.... How To Clean Fish Tank Gravel Without A Vacuum. Rinse the sieve with the gravel under clean water. Rake the sand carefully as you don’t want to poison your fish. Make sure to save a cup of two of the dirty gravel to set aside. Glass-cleaning cloth or paper towel; Aquarium siphon (also known as a gravel vacuum) (As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, and commissions may be earned from the link above.) To clean your gravel in your aquarium you want to have a basic siphon kit. Thoroughly rinse off your chosen substrate (gravel, aquarium rocks, sand, etc.) Inspect the water: Lighter materials float to the top. A general rule of thumb is to clean the gravel thoroughly once every 2 weeks, or after every other water change. Additionally, if your gravel contains a lot of waste, moving rocks, plant, or other decorations becomes a problem; specifically, anything upsetting the gravel bed will result in an ugly cloud of half decomposed feces clouding up your previously beautiful fish tank. Remove the gravel. Then, add your decorations, rocks and plants. Place a large clean sieve, at least 6 inches across, over the bucket. Also, take special care to avoid having small pieces of gravel or debris go down the drain, otherwise the drain may clog. Once the gravel is dry, mix it with the amount you previously left aside and put it back into your tank. Step4: clean the gravel. To clean your aquarium gravel without a vacuum, here is a step by step guide to help you get it done in a few minutes: Step 1: Start by preparing a clean smaller tan or container to temporarily hold all the fish. This isn’t an easy task; aquarium gravel needs to be cleaned often. Then, plug in all electrical equipment and turn on the power. You can then add layers of substrate to your clean fish tank. Use a siphon or a cup to transfer some aquarium water into the container. You should suck up small amounts of gravel using the siphon, the waste will then be sucked through the tube into the bucket along with some of the water, and the gravel will fall back into place. A - How to Clean Old Aquarium Gravel With a Vacuum Step 1: Disconnect every electrical equipment of the fish tank. If the water is not clear and clean, repeat the processes until it is. Step 1: Start by setting up a clean tank or holder to briefly hold all the fish. Remove all decorations, rocks and plants that aren’t rooted in the gravel, etc, from your tank. To ensure your fish tank is in good shape and everything is functional, it’s best to clean the aquarium gravel. Shake the strainer under running water to dislodge heavier materials. Wipe the inside with paper towel. There are several types of siphons available, all of which work essentially the same. Why you Should Clean Aquarium Gravel . Let the gravel set for a minute or two and then inspect the water. Before you do anything to your tank, you must unplug the heater and turn off the filter and pump. The water may also be discolored by the dye used to color the gravel. If your tank is under 20 gallons, you might have to do this every week, but if you own a large aquarium, schedule a cleaning session every 2 weeks. Scoop up a couple of cupfuls of the gravel from the bottom of the tank and set aside without rinsing. Swish the gravel as the water goes in. I prefer one that is a two piece kit. Cleaning a freshwater fish tank Step 1 – Get rid of the algae. Fill up the second bucket containing “strainer-rinsed” gravel until the water covers the gravel by an inch. The gravel vacuum should stir up the gravel and remove debris without sucking up the gravel. Any filters, heaters, and equipment should be detached from the tank, too. There are super expensive gravel vacuum systems available, but you definitely don’t have to buy those. Some of it can. In this guide, we’ll reveal the proper steps to cleaning a tank without a gravel vacuum. Although it takes minimal effort to clean using a vacuum, there are many other methods that are also very easy and more importantly cheap. Rinsing the gravel over the bucket rather than over a drain allows gravel that slips through the sieve to be caught instead of going down the drain. What have we learned from this? These small particles should not make their way into an aquatic environment. Before washing or cleaning your fish tank gravel without a vacuum, you will need to move the fish in the tank into another proper and toxin-free container. A buildup of mulm will happen in any tank, whether it is from fish waste, plant material, or leftover food. Do it quickly as... #Step 02– Submerge. We recommend also adding a dechlorinator treatment just to make sure that there isn’t any chlorine left in the gravel, because it could harm your fish. How to Clean Fish Tank Gravel Without a Vacuum First, pull your fish out. Under a stream of lukewarm water, agitate the colander to loosen and wash away any stubborn debris. If your aquarium doesn’t weigh too much, pour the rocks into a hand-held pan. Swish the gravel around to stir things up a bit. Cleaning gravel with vacuum kit. This does not mean only to turn off the switch. This step is important because once you’ve cleaned your gravel, all the beneficial bacteria necessary for biological filtration will be gone. Ways to Clean Fish Tank Gravel Without a Vacuum. Scrub where necessary, if you experience any particularly difficult spot, use a razor or plastic blade to scrape it off gently from the tank. In this video, I explain how to clean newly purchased aquarium substrate (sand and/or gravel). To use a siphon vac kit effectively, ensure Properly cleaning new aquarium gravel is an important first step in keeping water quality high. How often you clean your gravel depends on how stocked your tank is, that is to say depending on how quickly your fish pollute the water. Re-plug the heater, filter, and pump. Use a colander to rinse the gravel and rocks until the water runs through clear and free of debris. The water should appear clear, clean and free from floating dust and debris. Swish the clean gravel so it moves throughout the dechlorinated water. This detailed guide is going to showcase how to clean aquarium gravel algae, what to look for in terms of a quality cleaning kit, and why it’s advantageous to keep the fish tank clean. Algae grow very fast on the insides of the tank walls and your first task is to remove them. But the rest settles to the bottom of the tank, only to be stirred up whenever the gravel is disturbed.