How to Clean the Gravel in Your Fish Tank

Cleaning your fish tank gravel is a crucial part of keeping your fish happy and healthy. Sometimes by trying to get things too clean you can actually harm your fish. Cleaning your fish tank gravel should be performed once every 10-14 days.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gravel Vacuum or Gravel Siphon
• 2 Buckets (or maybe just one and a large bowl)

1. REMOVAL OF THE FISH
   
   Removing your fish from the tank is the first step to cleaning the gravel in your fish tank. Remove some of the water from your tank and place it in a holding bucket or large bowl. Catch your fish carefully and place them in the holding tank. Make sure the bucket or bowl is large and deep enough to prevent the fish from jumping out onto the floor.

2. BEGINNING THE SIPHON PROCESS
   
   Start your siphon by placing the wider vacuum end in the water and draping the hose-end over the tank and into a bucket place on a chair or on the ground. Ensure the receiving bucket is lower than the tank. You can start the siphon with your mouth and quickly put the hose into the bucket.

3. CLEANING THE GRAVEL
   
   Gently bounce the vacuum up and down over the gravel focusing on areas of high debris concentration. Dig around to reach the bottom of the tank or your under gravel filter. You will notice all of the food, poop, and algae debris being sucked into the vacuum and down into the bucket.

4. COMPLETING THE CLEAN UP
   
   When you have siphoned about 20-25% of the water, follow your normal re-filling method with your tank. Replace the missing water and treat it appropriately. You may notice that there is still some residual debris and algae on the rocks - THIS IS GOOD! Essential bacteria live in and among the rocks and they are necessary for your fishies good health.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice that your tank continues to get an abnormal amount of gross waste at the bottom, evaluate your feeding techniques. You should only feed as much as your fish will consume in a few minutes. If you are feeding too much you are creating unnecessary waste that will not only dirty your tank but create dangerous levels of ammonia and nitrogen.

[darkay]

on 11/11/2008 I've had a Bio Cube for a year and a half and am frustrated because my nitrgen levels continue to be elevated (killing fish). I've never taken my fish out when cleaning and will attempt to do so this weekend. Any suggestions? WOndering about replacing my bio balls. Thanks.

[only1special1]

on 9/26/2008 Thanks!

[kaseysviewblog]

on 9/26/2008 Excellent tips!