Aquarium cleaning

A peaceful view of aquatic life can be found in an aquarium, which can be a lovely addition to any house. But maintaining it clean is crucial for both the general aesthetic of the tank and the wellbeing of your fish.

Frequent cleaning keeps the water clean, stops the growth of algae, and provides your aquatic pets with a safe environment. Not only does a clean aquarium look better, but it also gives your fish a safer environment in which to live.

This post will discuss easy and efficient ways to maintain the clarity, freshness, and health of your aquarium.

Frequency of cleaning

An aquarium that holds more than 200 liters should be cleaned at least twice a month. Once a week, at most. General cleaning frequency is set on an individual basis. The following variables affect the decision:

• the well-being of the fish;
• the number of inhabitants: the more populated the aquarium, the more often cleaning is needed;
• test results that determine the amount of nitrates in the water (Ptero, NILPA and others);
• the appearance of the aquarium;
• the smell from it.

If any of the following are noticed, cleaning is required:

• brown-greenish plaque, overgrowth of walls and decor with algae;
• dirt rising from the bottom;
• deterioration of the filter (poorly pumps water);
• formation of a film on the surface;
• bad breath in fish and their death.

What is meant by cleaning an aquarium?

• freeing the walls from limescale and algae;
• cleaning decorations;
• weeding and pruning plants;
• replacing water by 15-50%: the more polluted, the more liquid is changed;
• rinsing the filter.

Siphoning the dirt—that is, cleaning the bottom by using a special device to suck out dirt—is done less frequently.

Factors affecting pollution

• Overflowing an aquarium. There should be at least 1.5-2 liters of water per fish.
• Excess food. It settles on the bottom and provokes active growth of algae. Therefore, food should be poured in moderation.
• Stagnation of water. Natural reservoirs clean themselves, but this does not happen in an aquarium. The contents become cloudy, overgrown with algae.
• Bright light. Due to strong lighting, the water blooms, turbidity appears, excessive vegetation. The aquarium must be placed away from direct ultraviolet rays. However, do not forget about artificial light. Thanks to the lamps, the water will be clear and the fish healthy.
• Size. A small aquarium must be cleaned according to all the rules, like a large one, but more often. Therefore, if space allows, it is better to purchase large tanks.

Aquarium cleaning algorithm

You must turn off all electrical appliances before cleaning. You can leave the fish in the aquarium.

Cleaning the glass

Even with meticulous attention, a coating forms on the walls. This ruins the view and makes it difficult to see the fish.

With a scraper or sponge, you can wash the glass without having to drain the water. Metal sponges cannot be used on plastic walls. Magnetic scrapers work better for cleaning deep aquariums. They just touch the tip of the iceberg. Nevertheless, there is a drawback to this equipment: cleaning the bottom corners and hard-to-reach areas is challenging.

Using a sponge to clean plexiglass surfaces is not advised. A damp sponge or one dipped in a particular solution is used to clean the exterior walls. Fishing out the plant plaque that has been scraped off the surfaces is not necessary. Fish will consume it.

Cleaning the decor

A firm brush or sponge is used to clean the décor’s components. It is preferable to handle this under the sink. Detergents are not necessary.

Processing live plants

Certain nuances should be understood:

• they do not like to be transplanted;
• they need to be trimmed as they grow;
• clean once or twice a month;
• remove the bush with the root, do not raise the turbidity from the bottom.

Eliminating dead algae components is the primary function of processing plants. This is required to prevent the bushes from obstructing the view and from preventing the fish in the aquarium from moving freely.

Cleaning filters

Anaerobic bacteria in the aquarium keep the biological balance in check. It is crucial to avoid harming the colonies of filters while cleaning them. Foam rubber and other fillers are home to microorganisms that contribute to cleanliness. Filters should not be placed under running water to prevent them from being washed off.

When the water stream from the output becomes weaker, the device needs to be cleaned. Usually, this is noticed a week or two following the prior cleaning. External filter fillers and compartments are cleaned on a regular basis. Every eight weeks, the porous elements that facilitate biofiltration are cleaned once or twice. A portion of the filler is changed if needed.

Soil siphon and water drain

You must thoroughly wash the substrate in order to remove a suspension from the bottom. One uses a siphon. The device is positioned with one end above ground and the other end inside the other container. The device does not tighten stones; instead, it pumps water with dirt. The contaminated zones are where the substrate’s syphon starts, and it progressively moves to cleaner zones.

Water changes after the soil has been cleaned. The amount is determined by the level of pollution (ranging from 15% to 50%). A test for measuring nitrates (Ptero, NILPA) is available for purchase. For low-key residents and vegetation, the indicator shouldn’t be higher than 30 mg/l. For those who are picky: 10 mg/l. It is advisable to avoid changing the water completely as this may cause the biobalance to be disturbed.

You cannot immediately place animals in the aquarium if a complete restart of the aquarium (a change of the entire volume of water) was necessary because of a disease. The fish will perish from it since during the first few days, the ammonia concentration will rise. A full two weeks after cleaning is finished, residents are released without any prior planning.

A siphon is used to drain the water; it’s crucial to follow the directions. After adding fresh liquid, the aquarium needs to be settled. To prevent the substrate from being harmed by the pressure, a saucer needs to be set on the ground beforehand. Filters and lighting can be connected after pouring.

Cleaning equipment

Not every homemade cleaning solution can be used to clean the aquarium. There are even some that can hurt the fish. A number of things are utilized in cleaning:

• Scraper: it is best to buy a magnetic one designed for aquariums. It is necessary to simply immerse it in water and control its movements from the other side of the glass. Hands will remain dry.
• Siphon: purchased in a specialized store or made independently from a hose.
• Filter: works constantly. It cleans the walls, algae, soil. Filters water without stopping. Thanks to this, the aquarium gets less dirty.

Helper fish

Certain fish species aid in the aquarium’s natural cleaning process. Among them, the most stunning and well-liked are:

• Cordoras catfish get along with any types of fish. They will be useful only with a normal biological balance. If it is disturbed, catfish will begin to harm: eat all the food, raise dirt from the bottom.
• Mollies eat algae, so such fish should be kept in an aquarium with a large number of plants.
• Siamese gyrinoheil has a striking beautiful color. At a young age, the fish are calm, they gnaw driftwood all day long. In old age, they begin to take food from others. In strong light, they hide in stones or stir up mud from the bottom.
• It is not recommended to keep pterygoplichthys with bottom-dwelling fish. They will start dividing the territory, hurt each other, and after cleaning the entire aquarium from algae, they will start eating plants. To prevent this from happening, they need to be fed with food for chainmail catfish.
• Labeo guards its territory, a large fish. If you get two individuals at once, they will start having conflicts.
• Otocinclus cleans the aquarium from birth to old age. This is the most peaceful species of all listed. Five individuals are able to keep a 100-liter tank clean.

Aquarium vitamins

To combat algae and enhance the quality of the water, you should purchase specific vitamins from the store. You can add them to the filter or pour them in with a fresh volume of liquid.

Cleaning your aquarium on a regular basis keeps the water clear, prevents the buildup of dangerous toxins, and guarantees that your fish will always have a beautiful, stress-free environment for you and your aquatic companions.

Mistakes when cleaning the aquarium

• irregular cleaning;
• insufficient or excessive lighting;
• poor quality and unsettled water;
• use of inappropriate chemicals;
• overcrowding;
• improper feeding;
• temperature too high or low.

For the sake of your fish’s wellbeing and the general aesthetics of your tank, you must keep your aquarium clean. Stable water conditions are ensured by routine maintenance, which lowers the risk of illness and fosters a healthy atmosphere.

You can have a lovely, healthy aquarium with little effort if you set up a cleaning schedule that includes regular water changes, filter maintenance, and algae control. Recall that maintaining consistency now will help you avoid more serious issues later on.

Your aquarium can be a gorgeous focal point in your house and a peaceful haven for you and your fish to enjoy with a little work and care.

Related videos

For the beginner fish farmer, cleaning an aquarium with fry

2 YEARS WITHOUT CLEANING! BIG MAINTENANCE 200L AQUARIUM

Completely redid the aquarium, general cleaning in the aquarium

Aquarium cleaning. Cleaning an aquarium with Angelfish

How not to siphon the substrate and how to do it correctly.

How to clean an aquarium | Typical mistakes of beginners

How to clean an aquarium. Siphoning the soil, changing the water