How to Clean a Fish Tank

A crystal-clear tropical fish tank with colorful fishes darting around is a delight to behold. Keeping a tropical fish tank clean and looking good is not a difficult task. Not only will this add to the beauty of one's home, but it will also help promote happy and healthy fish. Follow these steps to find out how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper towels
• Chlorine or chloramine remover
• Algae scraper or pad
• Container to temporarily house fish
• Filter media
• Fish net
• Cup or bowl
• Siphon
• Bucket

1. Unplug all electrical appliances, like the filter, aeration, lights or water heater, that are connected to the fish tank.

2. Remove the hood or top fixture and wipe down with clean water and paper towels.

3. Scoop enough water from the fish tank with a cup or bowl into a separate holding container to temporarily house fish.

4. Gently transfer fish to the holding container using a fish net.

5. Scrub the inside tank walls with an algae scraper or pad.

6. Remove rocks, artificial plants or any decorations that are noticeably dirty. Rinse well in running tap water and let air dry.

7. Using a siphon, clean the gravel and vacuum away debris at the bottom of the tank. When siphoning, remove up to a maximum of 75 percent of the water depending on how dirty the water is. Typically, removing 50 percent of the water is sufficient to clean a fish tank.

8. Remove soiled filter media and discard in a garbage bag. Remove the filter unit and rinse off with clean water.

9. Use a bucket and fill up the tank with clean tap water.

10. Add chlorine or chloramine remover which is available from any major pet store. This will remove chemicals harmful to fish that are found in tap water.

11. Replace rocks, artificial plants and decorations in the tank. Plug back in all electrical appliances.

12. Replace filter and filter media. Turn on filter and allow to run for an hour or so. This will reduce stress to the fish and normalize the water temperature.

13. Wipe down the outside of tank with clean water and paper towels.

Tips & Warnings

• Diligently replace and clean filter media as recommended. Check filter unit instruction booklet for further instruction.
• Set aside a specific time every week to spot clean the fish tank. Change 10-15% of the water when you do so.
• Make sure you have adequate aeration when putting your fish in the holding container.
• If the water is cloudy, use a freshwater clarifier available at any major pet store.
• Designate a new bucket for aquarium use only.
• Don't over clean the gravel or completely remove all tank water. You'll remove beneficial bacteria that help remove harmful wastes in the tank.
• Don't use soap or detergents as they are very difficult to completely remove can be lethal to fish.

[jgirv]

on 8/5/2009 ...sorry, the Tips and Warnings section is fine, but the step by step advice offered above it is simply wrong.

You shouldn't remove the fish.
You shouldn't be removing 75% of the water.
You should always add the dechlorinator BEFORE you add the water to the tank (add it to the bucket first)
You shouldn't be changing the filter at the same time as you do a major water change.
The filter should be running at all times (not just for an hour!)

honestly, it's been a while since I've seen an article so full of mis-infomation.

[grimsleygl]

on 6/15/2009 I tried to rate this article but it did not jump from 40 to 41! Sorry about that. Since you are one of the ehow editors, perhaps you can figure out how to give yourself one more star on my behalf!
Blessings!

[grimsleygl]

on 6/15/2009 Great article. I hate the project of cleaning the tank, but it needs to be done of course. Thanks!
5*'s

[silverdoctor]

on 4/24/2008 Nice and simple explanation - but it has no pictures. Here's another blog post with step by step approach to basic fish tank maintenance, including photos for each step: http://richelectron.blogspot.com/2007/06/jebo-r338-aquarium.html

[runningmom37]

on 6/21/2007 Unless you just have a little bowl with one goldfish in it (so you plan to dump all the water and replace), it's neither necessary nor advisable to remove the fish while cleaning the tank. You have to be careful none of them jump out of the tank, and you have to be VERY careful to refill the tank with water that has already been dechlorinated so that you don't shock (or kill) them with the chlorine. But, they will be far less stressed if you don't remove them. And you will be far more likely to clean your tank regularly if you don't have to go through the very long process of catching all your speedy little fish to remove them before cleaning. You're far better off cleaning the glass and replacing 20% of the water every week than you are breaking down the tank and replacing 50-75% of the (now filthy) water on a very irregular basis. Your fish will be much happier.