How to Clean Your Aquarium – Steps and Precautions

Cleaning the tank is required to provide a healthy environment for the fishes. Sometimes the aquarium may be so dirty that the fishes may not be visible to see through. This is actually a warning since excessive bacteria and algae growth may be fatal for your fishes. In fact that state is not recommended since frequent cleaning is mandatory to keep the aquarium crystal clear all the time. The tank is to be cleaned weekly or at least once in two weeks which depends on the tank size and the number of fishes.

There are certain precautions to be done before cleaning the aquarium. The heaters, filters, and other electronic devices must be unplugged to avoid getting electrocuted. Fishes are very sensitive to the chemicals used in detergents so it is not recommended to use soaps or detergents for cleaning. It is not required to take the fishes from the tank when you are cleaning the aquarium, since they get stressed when moved from their environment and this may be fatal. Dechlorinated water should be used as a cleaning agent when cleaning the fish tank.

One of the main tasks while cleaning the aquarium is to clear the algae that are clogged up in the walls of the tank. There are different types aquarium algae scrapers are available that suits different types of fish tanks. Glass tanks can be wiped using an abrasive scraper, while acrylic aquarium may get scratched easily hence a less abrasive scaper should be used. All plants and decorations should be wiped clean and the filters should be rinsed. By removing a lot of things from the aquarium while cleaning, may disrupt the ecosystem required for the fishes. By introducing an algae eater fish in the tank, considerable growth of algae is controlled.

Cleaning the gravel comes next in the process of cleaning. A python vacuum that is connected to the sink allows the water to be drained into it. The dirt accumulation in the gravel is mostly due to overfeeding since the excess feed get settled at the bottom which eventually decays and smells quickly. Fishes must not be overfed for this reason. The smell can be brought under control by using carbon and you may have to choose a filter that allows the use of carbon. The carbon has to be replaced once in 3 weeks.

After the sides of the aquarium, the decorative items and the gravel is cleaned, next is to replace the water. The water has to be cleaned since the algae and cleaned up gravel pollutes the water. It is not a good idea to change the water completely since that may stress out the fishes. You may replace 20 to 50% of the water at a time depending on the consistency of dirt in the water. Using a siphon such as a python is most effective way of removing the water.

Dechlorinated water is to be used to refill the tank. The temperature of the fresh water should match the temperature of the water in the aquarium. Change in temperature may be fatal to the fishes. After filling the water, the heater and filters can be turned on. It is important to check the levels of ammonia and nitrate quite often. If your aquarium is of saltwater, regular check on the salinity of the water should be done especially when adding water to your tank.

         

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