How To Keep A Fish Tank Clean

Your fish tank water looks cloudy and now you are wondering how to keep a fish tank clean. You probably did not think about cleaning the fish tank when you bought it.  Probably like most parents, your child wanted the fish tank because the fish look cute, and now the child does not want to keep it clean. Well, keeping your fish tank clean is not complicated and cleaning it requires minimal effort.

Things you need to keep your fish tank clean.

• Water
• Siphon
• Bowl
• Algae scraper
• Razor
• Tank or vinegar
• Bucket

Steps

1. Unplug all your fish tank electrical plugs before you start cleaning. After you have unplug the electrical components, get a bowl, and transfer some of the water into the container. Use a fish net, remove the fish from the fish tank, and place the fish into the bowl. You do not want to clean your fish tank with your fish swimming around.

2. Remove the rest of the water out of the tank and clean the tank. Clean it with an algae pad. If the residue on the glass is difficult to move, use a razor and scrape the glass. If you have an acrylic tank, use a plastic razor instead to avoid scratching the acrylic surface. Buy your algae pad at a pet store because sometimes those found in the houseware department have soap or other chemical residue.

3. Remove rock, artificial plants and any décor items that appears dirty from the tank. Take your algae scraper and scrub off the grime from these items. Do not use soap because the soap will harm your fish.  Use warm water instead to clean the grime from the rocks and plants.

4. Leave the tank content outside. Vacuum the tank gravel using a siphon. You can buy the siphon at any pet store there are many brands available and comes with different features. For example, the Python removes the dirty water from the sink. Therefore, you do not have to use a bucket to remove the water from the tank.

5. Continue cleaning the fish tank. Clean the light, tank top, the hood, as well as the outside glass. Do not use glass cleaners because they may contain ammonia, which might kill your fish. It is better to use vinegar or fish tank cleaners.  Remember to rinse your tank after you clean.

6. Look at your fish tank filter. Cleaning your fish tank filter depends on when you clean the tank filter last. Rinse the filter with warm tap water if dirty, this should remove any accumulated dirt. 

7. Refill your fish tank with water.  Add the filter and pumps plugged them back in. Treat your fish tank with chlorine, which you can purchase at any pet food store. It is a good idea to take some of the chlorine water and add to the bowl with the fish so the fish could acclimate to the new solution.  After approximately five to ten minutes, return your fish to the clean tank.

Tip: Designate a bucket for aquarium use only, using a bucket that have detergent residue may harm your tank.