How to Clean a Fish Aquarium Correctly

Fish tanks are among some of the most popular home décor options for introducing a bit of living art into your indoor environment. These tanks come in several sizes, and there are many types of fish you can add to an aquarium. However, every fish aquarium needs simple periodic cleaning to maintain a healthy environment for its new inhabitants. The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted aquarium supplier, is here to guide you with tips on cleaning and maintaining your indoor fish habitat.

Getting Started

The first thing you need to do is acquire the right cleaning supplies. Though everyone has their own special way of cleaning an aquarium, there are some tried-and-true instructions that should be followed. Depending on the fish tank, you’ll need to purchase water conditioner, a water siphon, aquarium salt (for saltwater tanks), filter media, an algae scraper, a large bucket, and a net. Remember to unplug all the devices, including your heater, before starting maintenance on your tank. You should never have to remove your fish from the tank to do water changes—the less stress the better. A water change entails the use of a gravel vacuum. At Aquatic Warehouse, we can provide you with simple self-siphoning gravel vacuums. All you need is an extra water bucket. A water change should involve removing no more than 30 percent of the volume of the aquarium or as little as 10 percent if the nitrates are low (less than .20ppm).

Cleaning Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

Start by vacuuming the debris from the tank’s gravel and removing the algae from the glass with an aquarium cleaning pad or scraper. Never use kitchen cleaning pads because the treatment that comes on these pads can harm your fish. Razor blades can scratch glass tanks. Instead, use an aquarium scraper made for the job at hand. When vacuuming, use a slow up-and-down motion, slowly moving to the next area. With a little experience, you’ll find out how easy this procedure is. Don’t use standard glass cleaners to clean the glass because these products host dangerous chemicals such as ammonia that can kill your fish. Instead, use a legitimate cleaning product designed for fish tanks. Diluted white distilled vinegar is also a great all-natural solution for the outer surfaces only, and you need to make sure to thoroughly wipe the glass. Don’t forget to also clean the lights, the hood, the outer glass, and any ornaments/decorations. Also, this is the time to change the filter media in your hang-on or canister filter. Rinse the filter in your discarded water, never in municipal water because the chlorine in it will kill the beneficial bacteria flourishing in your filter that makes the whole ecosystem work.

Filling the Tank

At this point, you should be putting the décor back into the tank, but refrain from making any electrical connections. Don’t use cold water when refilling, but rather water that has been stored at or brought to room temperature. You can now add water conditioning (and salt if it’s a saltwater tank—mix with a small submersible pump for 30 minutes or until clear). Add the water and diffuse the stream by reflecting off your free hand so as not to stir up the gravel. You should now make any necessary electrical connections and double-check that everything is running correctly.

At Aquatic Warehouse, we supply everything you need to properly care for a saltwater or freshwater fish aquarium. We also provide koi pond filters and other supplies for outdoor ponds. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives a call at 858-467-9297.