Cleaning your fish tank probably won’t ever top your list of the most fun things to do. However, it really doesn’t have to be too much of a chore if you keep your cleaning to some simple steps. If you keep up with your regular, partial water changes this once a month deep cleaning shouldn’t be an all day project. Here you’ll find how to clean a fish tank in just 4 easy steps that make even this deep cleaning seem like a breeze.
Scrape or Scrub Those Fish Tank Walls
The first step to cleaning your aquarium is to scrape or scrub all of that built up algae on your aquarium walls. You know the slime I’m talking about. It is probably the reason you are finally breaking down and cleaning your fish tank. The easiest way to get rid of it is with a CLEANER FREE scrub pad. Plain old razor blades work very well for glass fish tanks as well. Usually scrubbing with the pad is easiest. The razor blade will come in handy for that tough grime. If your tank is acrylic you’ll need to us a plastic scraper to keep from scratching your aquarium surface.
Scrub Those Decorations
Your rocks, wood, castles, and plastic plants will need a scrubbing as well. Even if the algae is not too noticeable on these decorations it’s a good idea to give them a once over. This just keeps it from getting too built up. Once this happens you’ll regret not keeping up on it. The work will quickly multiply as algae builds. This is an important step to regularly cleaning your fish tank.
Cleaning Your Fish Tank Filter
You should clean or rinse you filter media right in your tank water. This keeps the good bacteria in your tank while cleaning out the filter dirt. Only replace media if it seems clogged or like it is deteriorating. Again it’s about keeping good bacteria. Use a small brush to clean build up on mechanical parts. Undergravel filters should be left in place. The siphoning that you do next will free an undergravel filter of most debris.
Siphon That Gravel
You’ll want siphon your gravel at every regular water change and deep cleaning, to keep things from building up. Also, cleaning the other parts of your tank will usually leave dirt behind. Siphoning the gravel keeps the good bacteria in place while removing debris. All you’ll need is an aquarium siphon and bucket to catch the waste water and debris. Make sure you do not change more than 25% of your tanks water during any one session. Fill your tank back up with similar temperature water with water. Make sure to add water conditioner to the replacement water.
8 responses so far ↓
1 vanessa // Sep 20, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I have cleaned out my fish tank and moved my fish into another tank. I had just realized that one of my guppy fishes had babies.
I had separated the fry fishes from the parents. Is that a good idea? Or should I leave them with the rest of the bigger fish?
2 Eric // Sep 21, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hi Vanessa,
You got it right. It is a good idea to separate guppy fry from all other fish, including their parents. Guppy parents and many other predatory fish may eat them.
3 lisa // Oct 2, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I have an Oscar fish which is about 3-4inchs long; I recently noticed it looked like its intestines were hanging out of its body. Although, one of my other fishes has bitten it off.
I have put methylene blue in the tank. Do you have any suggestions of what I can do? Also could you please tell me what it is?
Thank you
Lisa
4 Eric // Oct 3, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hello Lisa,
Sorry, but I don’t know what that intestine looking thing could be. If you’re worried about it, you could try bagging it up and taking it to a reputable local aquarium shop for some input. After actually seeing the problem might, they might be able to offer some more advice.
5 Shari // Dec 28, 2007 at 12:25 am
All of my decorations and live plants have these small “bushes” growing from every part of them. I don’t know if this is because I keep the light on a lot (my apartment is very dark; and the tank rarely gets any natural light). Should I throw away all of my decorations and plants. This doesn’t look very sightly. One of my fish died from “ick” and another has it now. I am cleaning my tank walls weekly (algae grows madly in there) and doing 20-25% water changes twice a month. What am I doing wrong? I feel like I should start from scratch again with the fish I have left … help … (Also I read that the ick treatments should not be used in tank with live plants? why???)
6 Eric // Dec 31, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Hi Shari,
Is your tank newer? If not, have you done any serious cleaning? Sounds like your bio-filter isn’t fully established. If you are doing water changes on a regular basis, you shouldn’t have it this bad. Most of the things happening are usually caused by poor tank maintenance or a under established bio-filter. You could try adding some bacteria starter to kick your bio-filter into gear if this could be your problem. It is true that some Ich treatments can be hard on sensitive plants. Before you buy, you’ll want to read the warnings. Some natural remedies like Melafix don’t have these side effects. They also, usually aren’t as potent.
7 Barbara // Mar 19, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I have a fish tank that has been in storage for about 1 year, how can I clean it.
8 Eric // Mar 20, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Barbara,
Nothing fancy. Just water and some elbow grease. You’ll want to stear clear of bleach or soap.
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