how to clean a fish tank without killing the fish

You never want to shock the entire system. This will remove any algae on the glass. A 25% water change is good amount for a monthly water change during cleaning. Aquarium bacteria comes in liquid form so it can simply be poured directly into the tank. Usually, a good scrub with an algae scraper in warm water will remove the algae and dirt from rocks and plants. It is strongly recommended that you use vinegar or a cleaner designated as aquarium safe, and make sure you rinse the surfaces with a clean damp cloth. After a couple of weeks, the absorbing qualities of the media have been exhausted, and it no longer serves its purpose. Let's leave the fish in the tank. Do not clean them with soap or detergents. For particularly stubborn cleaning problems, prepare a 10 percent bleach solution and soak the items for 15 minutes. For stubborn residue on the glass, use a razor blade to scrape it off. How to get rid of milky water in fish tank, Fish Tank Experts – Everything you need to know about fish tanks. The water chemistry can be easily altered by adding chemicals to the tank. Clean the Filter Two Weeks Later Pour this into a bucket and add some dechlorinater to make the water safe for your fish. Leaving the betta in the tank is usually best for the fish. The inside of the tank is cleaned by using a paper towel and wiping the sides of the fish tank clean. 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. However, you can clean your existing aquarium without completely breaking it down. With regular care, your aquarium will look beautiful all the time. Now, wait a couple of weeks before cleaning the filter. Take care not to cut yourself. It is especially important that bacterial levels in your tank are maintained, as your fish depends on it. Be sure to vacuum the entire surface of the gravel thoroughly so that all debris is removed. This is unnecessarily well written on August 03, 2020: Ideally you should replace the filter every time you do a water change. Killing these colonies by mistake can then be disastrous to the health of your fish tank. Ideal situation would be to remove 25 to 30% of water every 2 weeks. You will need the following. However if you changed the filter at the same time, you might trigger a dangerous ammonia spike because there aren't enough beneficial bacteria left to eliminate the toxins. You can do this without removing fishes from the tank and use soft/cotton materail or glass cleaner inside of the tank 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. Live plants can be bleached to remove algae from them. You should stop when you have removed about one fifth of the water from the tank. Metal or plastic razor blade (optional, be careful with acrylic tanks, as these scratch easier). If you use a bucket that has had soap or detergent in it, you could introduce unwanted chemicals into your aquarium. You can either use a algae magnet or simply just scoop up the algae with a net. Assembly takes all of 10 minutes, and the instructions are easy to follow even if you lack a green thumb or familiarity with fish. The gravel will drop back into place in the tank while water and debris will be sucked into the bucket. You can now return the lid of the fish tank back on and turn the filter and light on. how to clean a fish tank PARTIAL WATER CHANGE Cleaning the gravel while siphoning water from the tank improves the filter’s efficiency and ensures that the gravel bed does not become compacted. Once the inside of the aquarium is cleaned, clean the hood, light, tank top, and outside glass. Razor blade (plastic blade for acrylic tanks), Bucket (use a new bucket that is for aquarium use only), Chlorine remover (aquarium water conditioner). A medium that acts as a mechanical filter instead of absorbing toxins (i.e. Your fish tank requires a certain number of bacteria in it to process your fish’s waste. For loads more how-to videos check out our brand spanking new website! Clean the sides of the aquarium with the algae pad. These good bacteria will convert ammonia and nitrates which will otherwise build up in your tank and kill your poor fish. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. Soak and clean the filter, heater, hose, pump, gravel and decorating things with vinegar. The filter medium is usually a sponge which you should rinse out in the bucket of water that you just got from your tank. Check the water in the tank for ammonia and nitrites. Cleaning a fish tank is a big and tedious job especially when you have lots of beloved fished in the tank. Your tank should now be topped up with clean tap water. It is strongly recommended that you use vinegar or a cleaner designated as aquarium safe, and make sure you rinse the surfaces with a clean damp cloth. When it comes to cleaning aquarium filters, many people simply remove the spongy material from inside the tank and run it under a tap to remove any dirt. However, stem plants are not tolerant of bleaching. Once your tank is clean and you are sure it is sealed, it's now time to begin cycling the tank, a process which builds up a colony of good bacteria in the filter. 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. Use a colander to rinse the gravel and rocks until the water runs through clear and free of debris. You should unplug your aquarium heater during water changes to prevent it from being exposed to air as the water level drops. You should never clean the filter with tap water because this will kill the bacteria on it. Never use regular soap to clean the filter medium, because it will likely kill your fish. Don't forget to clean the filter tubing and other parts of the filter assembly. A fish tank is a sensitive ecosystem which can easily become toxic to its inhabitants if the right precautions are not taken. Add some live bacteria to the water to replace the bacteria which has been removed. The number of chemicals and nitrate must be controlled in your tank. We're cleaning the tank every week, every two weeks, every three weeks. Clean the sides of the fish tank with an algae scraper. Even though goldfish are freshwater fish, salt will help your fish absorb much-needed electrolytes and kill any parasites on his fins. Once the outside is clean, the rocks, plants, and other decorations may be returned to the tank. It can peel off … 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. You want to make sure that there are plenty of places – ornaments, or plants – that your fish can hide in, so that they don’t have to use the heater as a hiding place of last resort. Cleaning the tank might bring a lot of stress to … Cleaning a Hang On Back (HOB) Aquarium Filter, Dealing With Beard Algae in Your Aquarium, Complete Aquarium Checklist for Beginners, The 8 Best Aquarium Products for Correct Cleaning. Aquarium Lime Remover or Glass Cleaner After you have cleaned the inside of the tank, the decorations and the gravel, and removed algae as best you can, you will have to clean the exterior of the tank and all the elements. Be sure to get a new bucket and designate it for aquarium use only. With a little elbow grease and a few simple cleaning supplies, your aquarium can be shipshape again in no time. Once the inside glass is clean, remove rocks, artificial plants, and decorations that have significant algae growth or are noticeably dirty. Get it free when you sign up for the Spruce Pets! The vinegar and salt will remove any hard water stains and fishy smells. Scrape the glass weekly, vacuum the gravel every time you perform a water change, and clean any rocks or plants as soon as you see debris or algae on them. Our free guide can help keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. That way none of the debris stirred up from the gravel will settle on them. Mold keeps building up in the tank even after I clean it it's back like less then a week later. There are several types of siphons available, all of which work essentially the same. If the tank is small then a turkey baster can be used instead. The tank should be completely empty before you clean it. A filter brush will help clear out the sludge that builds up in all the small crevices. Changing more than 50% of the water is not recommended as it can change the water parameters which is not good for your fish. Use the fish net and gently remove your fish from the tank, placing them in the container you just filled. That residue doesn't matter if you are cleaning your kitchen sink, but it can be lethal to your fish. Suck up the gravel into the cleaner. Fortunately, many beneficial bacteria reside within the filter media, so you haven't completely upset the ecosystem. My husband decided to clean the fish tank with hand soap.Yes indeed, I had a fit. I accidentally manhandle my fish while cleaning their tank (including siphoning up overly curious betta fry) and I cannot recall a single instance where I had a fish die because I poured water into the tank. Otherwise, add about ¼ cup of zeolites for every 10 gallons of water. You’ll need salt, vinegar and some soft scrubbing pads. While you are at it, soak your fishnets in a disinfectant solution to keep them clean and soft. Aquarium-safe glass cleaner or a vinegar-based solution. If you tear down a dirty fish tank, you'll lose all the beneficial bacterial colonies that eliminate the animals' waste. 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. The best tool for the job is, without doubt, a gravel washer. If you're using tap water, add one tablet of dechlorinator. A good idea would be to invest in some equipment, including a hose that can help you siphon the water from your tank and allow you to clean a fish tank without killing the fish. When a friend noticed the gravel was a little dirty, the owner learned he should have been doing water changes and cleaning his filter. Comments. You need to siphon the gravel or sand whatever is there in a fish tank and wipe out 30% of water. 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. Scoop some water from the tank into a container to hold your fish while you are cleaning the tank. Scrub any remaining residue off, rinse well in running water, and let air-dry to eliminate residual bleach. So I have a little 5 gallon tank with a Betty's and 5 tetras and I loved it as a hobby. Removing the fish is shocking the system. Slowly fill up your tank to the full capacity. Aquarium fish require specific water conditions in order to survive and flourish. There are a wide variety of algae scrapers on the market, from long-handled scrubbers to magnetic scrubbers. Yes, some antibiotics will kill most of the bacteria in your tank without affecting algae or your fish (well, maybe it will kill their gut bacteria too, which is not good). Video of the Day Regular glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Fill the container two-thirds of the way with half pond water and half clean water. The major cleaning you just performed disturbed the beneficial bacterial colonies on the plants, rocks, and gravel. He immediately performed a massive water change, vacuumed the gravel thoroughly, and changed the filter media. You can empty up to 50% of the water at a time and deep clean up to one third of the gravel during each water change. Place a submersible pump or … Standard lime cleaners are even more toxic. The gravel vacuum should stir up the gravel and remove debris without sucking up the gravel. How do I fix this so my poor son can have a successful first fish tank. You can calso rinse them in water that has dechlorinator (sodium thiosulfate) added to it to remove the chlorine. Why wait? 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of bleach per 3–4 US gal (11–15 l) of water in a separate container (optional). But I can't stand it anymore the tank makes my room smell I think cuz the hot summer and my dad only keeps our AC at like 78. Scrub the outside glass, the filter, the hood, and the light with a cleaner that is designated for aquariums. Although they may look the same, the housewares pads can have soap or chemical residue. You can then add layers of substrate to your clean fish tank. The water that is removed with the debris using the gravel vacuum is replaced with dechlorinated water, which performs a water change in your aquarium. Rinse the fish tank and removable items twice. You can do this as the same time as cleaning the gravel by using a plastic gravel cleaner with a hose attached. Leave the rocks, decorations, and plants out of the tank while you vacuum the gravel. Why Clean a Fish Tank. If you detect ammonia or nitrites and the fish are in distress at any time, follow Method 6 (below) for emergency care. If your decorations are covered with algae, remove them and give them a thorough scrubbing in a solution of water with 2% chlorine bleach added. Make sure you rinse the tank thoroughly before adding any water to it. If your water change involves using a gravel vacuum to remove a significant amount of debris from the substrate or if you also clean the filter at the same time, it could kill off a large portion of your tank’s beneficial bacteria which could induce the tank to re-cycle. To bleach live plants prepare a 5 percent bleach solution, soak the plants for two to three minutes, then rinse well. Cleaning your fish tank gravel with a vacuum made specifically for the fish tank is the easiest method of cleaning. 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. To successfully complete the task, it is important you are aware of how to clean a fish tank without killing the fish. It's very difficult to completely remove soap, and even a trace can be harmful to fish. Clean the filter monthly, either by replacing the media or rinsing it. Clean the gravel next, by using a water siphon to vacuum away the debris. You can easily test these levels with an at home fish tank test kit. Dr. Nick Saint-Erne has worked in veterinary hospitals treating a variety of animals, including zoo animals and exotic pets for over 35 years. and any other tank decorations with warm water. If your aquarium is acrylic, use a plastic razor blade, as standard razors will scratch the acrylic. You should do this while your tank is 80% full. An algae scraper is easy to use. Replacing too much water from your fish tank can be dangerous and actually kill your fish because it removes a lot of the necessary bacteria from the water. Two days later his Betta IS NOW DEAD. These instructions can be used for all types of tanks. Put the end of the hose into the fish tank and put the other end of the hose draining into a bucket. We show you how to clean a fish tank and maintain it. If the tank it too dry, then wet the paper towel with tap water. Clean the filter media: You need to take specialized care when you are cleaning the water filter and filter media. Remember, we're doing regular maintenance. Dr. Saint-Erne is is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Buy algae pads at a pet shop instead of the housewares department of a regular store. ceramic rings, filter fiber, or sponges) should be gently rinsed to remove debris and returned to the filter instead of replaced. Standard lime cleaners are even more toxic. 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. Transfer some water from the fish bowl to a clean, soap-free container, then use a fishnet to transfer the betta. An aquarium, a plastic gravel cleaner (or just a tube to syphon water), a … You should clean your tank with all the fish in the tank.. don't take them out! Submerge the removable items from the tank in clean water and then shake them to remove any drips. Don't start over unless your tank is in extremely bad condition. 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. Repeat this process again to remove any remaining bleach residue in the tank. Save the tank water that you siphon into the bucket; you will … Thoroughly rinse off your chosen substrate (gravel, aquarium rocks, sand, etc.) 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. He said they rinsed it good after I told him soap would kill the fish. Don't put them back in the aquarium until there is no more chlorine smell present. To clean your aquarium, you should never have to remove all of your fish. Regular glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Be sure the replacement water is the same temperature as your aquarium water. However, a fish tank gravel vacuum isn't the only alternative. You should replace approximately 20% of your tank around every 2 weeks. Use a hose to fill the tank with water and then empty the tank. There are some necessary reasons defined below that will help you mention the reasons to clean an aquarium. The genius of a tank like this is how little you have to do. Clean your aquarium in the following order: Start by giving the glass a good cleaning on the inside with an algae pad. For a fish to be health and happy, it is vital that its tank be maintained and cleaned correctly. DO NOT USE ANY SOAPS OR CHEMICALS WHILE CLEANING. If the tank or bowl has been filthy for awhile, you might want to also prepare a saltwater bath to kill off any germs your fish has picked up. So anyway, we bought our son another fish since the goldfish dyed. If you follow these simple and easy steps, you will be able to clean your fish tank without killing your fish. If you have filter media containing carbon, ammonia absorbers, or ion-exchange resins, it should be replaced if it's more than three weeks old. Chances are that it isn't the mechanical action of pouring the water into the tank that is killing your tank. 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