Tips for Cleaning the Rocks in Your Fish Aquarium

Everything in an aquarium needs a good cleaning every so often, and the rocks are no different. An ignored aquarium can serve as a breeding pool for algae and other negative elements in the water. Not all approaches to cleaning a fish tank’s rocks are effective. The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted aquarium supplier, has put together this guide to inform you how best to clean up the rocks in your fish tank.

Kill the Algae

Before you can get to the rocks, you need to get through the algae that may have started making a home on those rocks. Begin by filling a bucket with a ratio of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water—e.g., 9 cups of water and a single cup of bleach. Immerse the aquarium’s rocks and any other tank decorations in the bleach/water mix and allow them to soak in the solvent for roughly 30 minutes. Grab a soft brush or a sponge and put it to work on the rocks and decorations (try not to splash, as it will trash your clothes, and it’s a good idea to wear gloves), followed by a cleansing soak in regular water with a standard dechlorinator for 5 minutes, then repeat 3 times. It’s a good idea to put the rocks outside in the sunshine for the day before returning them to the tank.

Remove Accumulations of Calcium

If your rocks and other decorations are blanketed with a crusty layer of excess calcium, you should use some white vinegar. The first step is to soak everything overtaken with calcium in white vinegar for several hours, making sure the rocks are fully submerged. Once several hours have passed, use a soft or medium-bristle brush on the rocks and scrub them. Once you’re convinced the calcium has been removed, rinse the rocks off with regular cool tap water. Let them completely dry out before returning them to the tank.

Test for Safety After a Cleaning Session

Once you’ve cleaned up your rocks, especially those you may have found out in the wild, such as in a river or on the ground, make sure the rocks are safe for the fish you keep in your fish tank. Place these rocks in a vessel of fresh water and leave them to soak for at least 24 hours. Afterward, check the vessel’s pH level to see if the rocks had any negative effect on the water’s level of acidity.

Keep Vigilant

Keeping a tank clean is a regular process. Make sure to perform maintenance on your tank’s water and the condition of its gravel at least once every two weeks. Doing it more frequently may stress out your fish and doing it any less frequently may risk their health.

Whether you have a saltwater or freshwater aquarium, there are several things you need to do to ensure the tank stays clean and your fish remain healthy. You can acquire everything you need at Aquatic Warehouse. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297 if you have any questions.