How To Clean An Aquarium

By Perth Home Cleaners
Posted in House Cleaning
On November 26, 2024

Keeping fish is a challenge. Even though they are small and cute, fish are pretty dirty and need a lot of attention.

It is necessary to ensure that the fish are happy and healthy by keeping the fish tank clean and shiny.

Cleaning and servicing a fish tank/aquarium is not as hard as it sounds. It is easy to clean an aquarium without completely breaking it down. All that is needed are a few supplies and a little elbow grease, and you would have an immaculate fish tank without needing to put in too much effort.

How Often Should an Aquarium be Cleaned?

The frequency of the cleaning depends on many factors, like the size of the fish tank, the number of fish, and the biological filtration used.

You will need the following items to conduct an in-depth clean of your aquarium:

Algae scraper/pad
Razorblade (plastic blade for acrylic tanks)
Bleach
Water siphon (gravel vacuum)
Glass cleaner (made for aquariums)
Filter media
Filter brush
Old bath towels
Paper towels
Chlorine remover (aquarium water conditioner)

Start by Cleaning the Inside of the Tank

After some time, algae will gather on the inside of the tank and should be removed. An algae pad is essential for deep cleaning the inside of the glass. It is better to buy an algae scrubber from a pet shop rather than a regular house cleaning shop as they are more suitable for cleaning algae in aquariums. Scrubbers from regular house shops may contain soap or chemicals on the inside, which can be dangerous or even lethal to your fish.

For the most in-depth glass cleaning, carefully use of a razor blade is suitable for scrubbing off all the residues from the glass and helps the glass shine.

Remember, though, if the aquarium is acrylic, it is better to use a plastic razor to keep the material in good condition.

Cleaning the Decorations

Once the glass is cleaned, it is time for the decorations and rocks that are in the fish tank to be cleaned. Remove all the decorations and stones from the tank and clean them individually to avoid dirtying the newly-cleaned glass. The decorations may be dirty from collecting small particles that are inside the water.

Never clean the decorations with soap or chemicals. It is almost impossible to remove the chemicals entirely, and even a small trace may prove deadly for the tiny residents of your fish tank.

Warm water, combined with an algae scrubber, can be miraculous for cleaning the decorations and rocks.

For any persistent spots, bleach and soak the items for 15 minutes, rinse them thoroughly with water, then thoroughly scrub them to remove any trace of bleach. Remember to put the decorations and rocks back inside the tank only when the chlorine’s smell is completely gone. If you like to be extra cautious, dechlorinating the decorations and stones is the best solution. Spray them with a dechlorinator, and all the residues and smell will subside.

The Gravel Comes Next

Use a water siphon to remove the dirt from the gravel. A gravel vacuum is essential to stir up the gravel without destroying it. Ensure you vacuum the entire surface of the gravel. Replace the water that is removed with the debris with dechlorinated water.

The new dechlorinated water acts as a water changing system in the aquarium. Always keep the water temperature at the same level. Changing around 25% of water in the tank each month is almost essential to keep the fish tank clean and the fish safe and healthy.

External Glass and Fixtures

When the internal of the aquarium is clean, it is time to clean the exterior. Clean the glass and the lights, the hood, and the tank top to offer your little friends the best environment they could possibly have. Don’t use glass cleaner or lime cleaner as they contain ammonia and chemicals which are dangerous to fish.

Some people might question what the right tools are, there are specific glass cleaning products designed only for aquarium cleaning, use those. A cheaper and more natural alternative is regular vinegar for removing dirt from all the external equipment.

After cleaning, rinse all the surfaces with a cloth, an old bath towel, or a paper towel, and the results will be magical. When every part of the fish tank is clean, place all the items back in.

Changing the Water Filter

It is essential to wait a couple of weeks after cleaning the tank to clean the water filters. After the first cleaning, the number of beneficial bacteria is decreased. If the filter is changed immediately after cleaning the fish tank, many dangerous substances may be released into the tank and the aquarium’s ecosystem is not yet stable enough to handle them. It takes time for all the microorganisms to get stabilized again on the aquarium’s surfaces.

Replace any filter media that contains carbon, ammonia absorbers, or ion-exchange resins if they are more than three weeks old.

Remember to also clean the filter tubing and all the parts of the filter assembly. A filter brush is the best tool to remove dirt from the small crevices completely.

When going through this cleaning procedure, it is good to keep all the equipment off and turn it back on after everything is finished and placed back into their original positions.

Finally, fill the fish tank with water again before you return the fish to the tank.

It is safer for the aquarium’s residents to be placed back in after 24 hours. Many of the substances that were used for the cleaning can be dangerous for them, and their protection comes first.

Ongoing Maintenance

Remember to clean regularly to avoid future difficulties. Scrape the glass and vacuum the gravel before every water change and clean the rocks and the decorations when algae start to show up.

Keep the fish safe and clean; provide them with the best environment to keep them alive and happy for a long time.

It is not an easy job to have an aquarium, but with a small effort, it can be transformed into an easy task. If you have any additional questions do not hesitate to contact us with your queries!