How to Clean Your Fish Tank

Although a fish tank can be a fantastic piece of living art and a healthy habitat for our swimming friends, it will not serve the purpose in case it becomes excessively grimy, dirty, or algae-coated. However, there are certain simple steps to clean the fish tank so that it becomes ideal for the fish to stay. Below, we have mentioned some essential guidelines on how to clean your fish tank effectively.

WHY IS CLEANLINESS IMPORTANT

While cleaning the fish tank might not be a pleasant task, there are certain reasons why it should be kept clean and in good condition on a regular basis.

• A fish tank which is dirty will attract harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungus which can be dangerous for the fish. Moreover, a dirty fish tank can have unbalanced pH, and the nutrients and gases present in the water won’t be at the appropriate levels for maintaining the health of the fish.
• Once the tank becomes full of excess waste and floating debris, the pump, filter, and other important mechanisms might become sluggish and blocked. Once this equipment starts malfunctioning, the environment can become quite perilous for the residents of the tank.
• Lastly, you will not find it enjoyable to look at the tank in case it is full of dirty water and becomes murky as well. You will find it difficult to observe the fish, as well as the plants, and an extremely dirty tank might emit an unpleasant smell as well.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN CASE THE TANK IS NOT CLEANED ON A REGULAR BASIS?

In case the fish tank is not cleaned and maintained regularly, your fish might be exposed to the buildup of ammonia along with nitrates and nitrites that might cause severe harm to them in the long run. On most occasions, it is the beneficial bacteria that are responsible for mitigating the accumulation of waste. However, once the water becomes dirty the bacteria are going to die which can make your fish extremely vulnerable to various ailments.

It might be possible to assert that there is an issue with the environment of your fish in case they are not eating properly, becoming discolored, exhibiting decreased levels of energy, or appearing to be sick. This might even result in their death in the long run. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend how to clean the fish tank from time to time.

HOW TO CLEAN THE FISH TANK

1. CLEAN THE GLASS INSIDE THE TANK

Make it a point to clean the glass inside the fish tank comprehensively using a scraper or algae pad. You will come across various types of scrapers and pads on the market at present. For example, if your tank is large, you might like to go for an algae scraper featuring a long handle so that it becomes easy to reach inside.

Moreover, procure the pad from a pet store instead of a department store since algae scrapers intended for fish tanks should not consist of any chemical substance that might harm your fish.

If it is found that even after using the pad or the scrapper, some residue is remaining out there it will be a sensible idea to make use of a razor blade for removing the residue meticulously. Go for a plastic blade for acrylic tanks so that the interior does not become damaged.

2. CLEAN THE PLANTS AND THE ROCKS

After the glass has become cleaned by following the previous step, it is time for you to remove the plants, rocks, and other decorations which have become dirty. However, they should never be cleaned using water and soap. Even though you might rinse the decorations comprehensively, soap particles might be left in the creases and crevices which can prove to be harmful to your fish. Instead, make use of an algae scraper for getting the job done.

In case these objects need more cleaning, it will be a good idea to make a 10% bleach cleaning solution and soak the decorations in it for approximately 20 minutes. Once they have been soaked properly, wash off any surplus grime and allow them to become air dry until the bleach is removed completely.

A 5% bleach solution can also be used by you for cleaning the live plants although you should never bleach the stem plants. Also, make it a point to comprehensively rinse the bleached plants following cleaning. Furthermore, wait until you have finished vacuuming the gravel within the fish tank prior to replacing all the decorations.

3. CLEAN THE GRAVEL USING A SIPHON

The subsequent step in the cleaning process of the fish tank will be to clean the gravel by using a siphon for vacuuming the debris. Although different types of siphons can be used by you, their primary function will be to get rid of the debris which exists in the fish tank without vacuuming the gravel.

Ensure that all the water is removed by means of siphoning and it is replaced with clean water. Do not make use of any purified water which you might purchase from the stores. Instead, tap water consisting of minerals should be used. Make certain that the water that has been replaced is at the proper temperature. Also, do not forget to switch off the aquarium heater while replacing the water so as to avoid pollution from the air.

4. CLEAN THE GLASS ON THE EXTERIOR ALONG WITH THE FIXTURES

Once you have cleaned the interior of the tank, it is time for you to concentrate on the outside. Clean the hood, exterior glass, light, as well as other fixtures. While cleaning, make use of vinegar on the aquarium glass.

5. MAKE SURE TO CLEAN THE FILTER

After cleaning the fish tank comprehensively, make sure to clean the filter after approximately a couple of weeks. It is important to wait before cleaning the filter since it consists of some beneficial bacteria which will aid in replacing what was lost during the cleaning process. In case you clean the filter too soon, it can lead to the buildup of ammonia that can destroy the bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Cleaning your fish tank should not prove to be laborious in the long run. The key will be to keep the aquarium clean by maintaining it on a regular basis. Hopefully, these above-mentioned tips will help you to clean your fish tank without any problem whatsoever.