Cleaning Your Fish Tank Is a Responsibility

Your fish have their very own full-time housekeeper. That's right, you! To keep your pets in the swim of things, it is recommended that you remove and replace a percentage of the water, eliminate algae buildup and clean the gravel in your aquarium at least twice a month. Once you've established a regular routine, you may even find yourself enjoying clean-up time!

Your filtration system works hard to remove fish waste, uneaten food and other debris, but you'll need to supplement this with regular water changes to reduce the amount of dissolved contaminants in the tank. Use a siphon hose, available at your aquarium supply store, to siphon off 10 to 25 percent of the water into a bucket. Replace this with clean water of the same temperature that's been allowed to sit for 24 hours, ample time for most of the chlorine to have been eliminated. You can also use a water conditioner that will neutralize the chlorine and other toxins on contact; ask at your aquarium store for a recommendation.

Fish Tank Cleaning & Algae

While the water is being replaced, take time to vacuum the gravel and decorations in the tank with your siphon. This is a great way to pick up any excess waste, and it's especially important if you have an undergravel filter. If algae grows on the sides of the tank, use a scraper to remove any excess growth; it's best to do this before you replace the water. Take care not to remove all the algae, as your fish will enjoy nibbling up some of this yummy green food.

As you complete your chores, it's a good idea to check the status of your filters--but keep in mind that cleaning schedules will vary, depending on the size of the filters you use and the number of fish in your tank. When it is time to clean the filter, it is recommended that you do not change all the media--cartridges, sponges, etc.--at once. By doing so, you could remove most of your beneficial bacteria. Take care to rinse activated charcoal or other new media before placing it in the filter.