How to clean a fish tank - Chicago Tribune

How to keep a fish tank clean

A clean aquarium isn't just about making sure it looks good. Cleanliness of the tank and the water in it preserves the health and comfort of your fishy friends. Without regular cleaning, harmful compounds can build up in the tank and impact the health of your fish.

While filters and pumps go a long way toward maintaining the cleanliness of an aquarium, regular manual cleaning is still required.

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Here's a guide with everything you need to know about cleaning your aquarium at home.

How often do you have to clean a fish tank?

The first thing to note about cleaning an aquarium is that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach. The frequency depends on how large your aquarium is, how many fish live in it and the type of fish you have. It also depends on the filter system you use.

Daily checks

Although you certainly don't need to clean your fish tank every day, it's a good idea to take a look so you can learn how quickly dirt and debris is building up and whether your fish are healthy. If you notice behavior such as lethargy or gasping, chances are you need to clean the tank more frequently.

Weekly cleaning

The average-size aquarium needs a change of water once per week. It's not too difficult to do and it's essential for the health of your fish. Changing the water involves replacing around 25% of the tank water with treated water.

Monthly water testing

Every month, you should be testing the water of your tank. The water needs to remain at certain temperatures and pH levels to keep your fish healthy. You should also check the ammonia and nitrate levels. Seek advice from your pet store or veterinarian to assess what the levels should be. Consistency is also a factor; they need to stay level from one month to the next.

6-month deep clean

Some aquariums may require this more frequently, but at least every 6 months you should perform a deep clean of your fish tank. This means unplugging any heaters, thoroughly cleaning the tank and its accessories. It should also include checking the functionality and condition of equipment such as filters and pumps.

Tools for cleaning your aquarium

For effective cleaning of your aquarium, you will need:

  • An algae scraper or pad
  • Gravel siphon
  • Clean bucket for aquarium use only
  • Vinegar
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Water conditioner
  • Aquarium salt

How to properly clean a fish tank

Step 1: Preparation

First, unplug your aquarium filter and heater and any other electrical equipment related to your aquarium. Remove any decorations you may have around the tank too, such as plants.

Step 2: Clean the inside glass

Next, clean the glass on the inside of the tank using small, circular motions with an algae scraper like the API Handheld Algae Scraper. This helps to remove any grime that has built up on the glass.

Step 3: Remove some of the tank water

For this step, it's best to use a gravel siphon. Remove about 25% of the tank water into a separate bucket. Dispose of the old water and use the gravel siphon to suck up any dirt from the bottom of the aquarium.

Step 4: Clean the aquarium ornaments

Remove any ornamental features such as rocks or statues from the aquarium. Use a new toothbrush and tap water to scrub the ornaments clean. It's not advisable to use household cleaning products as the residue may poison your fish when you replace the ornaments.

Step 5: Replace the water

Take the bucket you used to remove old tank water earlier. Fill the bucket with water from the tap. Make sure the water temperature matches that of the water inside the aquarium using a thermometer.

Treat the water with aquarium salt and water conditioner. Make sure you follow the guidelines carefully. Over-treated water can poison your fish. Stir the water thoroughly until all the aquarium salt is fully dissolved.

Carefully add the treated water to the aquarium. Do this slowly and try to disturb the fish as little as possible.

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Step 6: Restart the heater

You can now plug your aquarium heater back in, but it's best to wait a few hours before turning the tank lights back on. This reduces the stress on your fish as much as possible after the water change.

Step 7: Clean and replace the filter

This should be done a couple of weeks after the rest of the cleaning to avoid spikes in ammonia in the water. If you use filter media that absorbs carbon and ammonia, you need to replace it every 3 weeks. If you have a mechanical filter, you can simply remove it and thoroughly rinse it with clean, cold water before placing it back into the tank.

Lauren Farrell is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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