A few reasons why people love to own fish as pets include the aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and minimal disruption. Studies have found that freshwater fish and reptiles are the most popular types of pets across the US after dogs and cats.
Indeed, fish do not require as much maintenance or grooming as other pets. However, deep-cleaning the aquarium periodically is non-negotiable. If neglected, the water quality may deteriorate with high levels of ammonia.
Your aquatic friends may develop an illness or even die. The good news is that deep-cleaning a fish tank is not all that difficult or expensive. This article will be your hassle-free and affordable guide to a pristine fish tank.
Start With the Inside of the Glass
Those new to cleaning an aquarium may be surprised to learn that it is possible to clean the inside without removing the fish or the water. As long as you’re careful and move slowly, you have nothing to worry about.
Since this is a deep clean, you have to remove the fish and replace all the water. In any case, it is recommended that you change up to 40% of the water each week.
Start by cleaning the inside of your fish tank’s glass. To do this properly, you will require certain tools, like the following –
- Cleaning cloth – Specialized aquarium cleaning cloths are available to wipe the inside or outside of the glass. However, do not use these with the fish and water still inside. Gently transfer the fish to another container using a net. Drain out the water with a siphon/hose before using the cleaning cloth.
- Glass scraper – If you come across grime on the inside of the glass, scrape it out using this tool. It is useful when a cloth just isn’t cutting it. Plus, it won’t scratch the glass.
- Algae cleaning mitt – Any unwanted algae growth can be wiped away using this. You will be able to have a strong grip to scrub even hard-to-reach areas.
Also, consider using a pair of long waterproof gloves. Invest in specialized aquatic cleaning products instead of store-bought ones. The latter may contain residue and bacteria that could harm or even kill the fish.
Move on to the Tank’s Decorations
Once the inside of the glass is done, it’s time to start cleaning the decorations. From plastic plants to coral ornaments and rocks, all decorative elements of a fish tank must be cleaned every few weeks.
A little algae growth doesn’t hurt the fish but be careful of excessive growth. Also known as algal blooms, they can severely reduce oxygen from the aquarium’s water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that this happens due to large volumes of nitrogen or phosphorus in the water.
Some algal blooms produce such elevated toxins that they are harmful even to humans. It’s best to conquer algae growth on decorations through a strict cleaning regime.
Start by removing all decorative elements from the tank and place them inside a bucket of warm water. Use an algae scraper to get rid of algae growth without ruining the decorations.
If the algae refuses to come off, use a solution of 5% bleach and 95% water. Do not use soap of any kind as it will harm your fish no matter how well you rinse the decorations.
Placing the items inside the bleach-water solution for 10 to 15 minutes should work. Just ensure all the bleach is removed from the surface before putting the decorations back inside the fish tank.
Trim Any Live Plants
As your fish tank’s decorations are being prepared for cleaning or soaking, pay attention to any live plants. Just like regular plants, aquatic plants need regular pruning to maintain healthy growth, a balanced ecosystem, and an aesthetic aquascape.
To trim the plants, you will need a pair of good scissors. Keep that pair exclusively for your fish tank’s plants. In the case of floating plants, remove at least half of them. This will ensure your fish receives sufficient light and oxygen.
We understand that you wish to see your aquatic plants thriving. As good as that is, too many of these plants on the surface will obstruct oxygen and light sources. Once you have your scissors with you, cut just above the leaf node to encourage new growth.
Then, focus on cutting the most overgrown parts of the plant. If you wish to propagate the plant, just replant the trimmed sections inside another area of the tank.
Remove Loose Debris From the Bottom of the Tank
By this point, the only things left inside your fish tank would be sand, gravel, and loose debris. Since the water had been drained, they would have settled at the bottom of the tank.
For this step, you will find specialized tools like gravel vacuum. It will suction out all loose debris, something that should be done every week.
While removing 25% of the gravel will work for any weekly cleaning routine, deep cleaning is an opportunity to clean the tank thoroughly. You can introduce new stones, gravels, or better yet, sand.
The suitability will depend on the kinds of fish you own. HubPages shares that sand, being a soft substrate, mimics the natural habitat for catfish and eels. Even in general, sand provides an even surface without any gaps or cracks for food to settle. Finally, sand helps freshwater plants to thrive.
Clean the Water and Filters
Cleaning your aquarium’s water and its filters is perhaps the most important part of a deep cleaning routine. It will remove any dirt debris and toxic elements whilst increasing the volume of oxygen inside the tank. In the process, you can also check whether the water filters are working adequately.
Invest in a good water quality test kit and dechlorination solutions to ensure balanced oxygen levels inside. The water should be free from any toxins or contaminants. The Washington Department of Health states that fish absorb toxins and chemicals from water, sediments, and the food they eat.
Now, we are not referring to just dioxins or heavy metals. There is an even more toxic group of chemicals you must be extra careful about: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. These chemicals are highly damaging to fish DNA and are ubiquitous in US tap water.
They are the same chemicals used to manufacture Class B firefighting foam. According to TorHoerman Law, their direct exposure has injured firefighters with cancer. As a result, there’s ongoing litigation against such chemical manufacturers.
PFAS lawsuit settlement amounts are being offered not just for personal injuries but also for municipal water contamination. Being absorbed through the water, PFAS can easily bioaccumulate inside your fish.
The good news is that you don’t need costly tools or equipment to remove PFAS. Studies have found that a simple aquarium cleaning material, granular activated carbon, can break down PFAS into harmless inorganic fluorine.
Check your fish tank’s filters. If they use filter wool and activated carbon, there’s nothing to worry about. Just ensure the filters are thoroughly cleaned to remove any clogging.
Once cleaned, put them back in and fill the tank with water. Use dechlorination solutions and a water quality testing kit to ensure the water is safe. Also, use an aquatic thermometer to check the water temperature before adding in your fish.
Finish With the Outside of the Tank
Once all the above-discussed steps are done, you can put back all the decorations and filters inside the tank. With this, you should have successfully deep-cleaned the inside of your fish tank.
Now it’s time to move outside. This is the least challenging step as all you need is a microfiber dusting cloth. Simply wipe down and clean any dust sticking to the glass. The same applies to the aquarium’s lid, lights, and stand.
Be careful to not use any soap even on the outside of your aquarium. The residue may leach into the water and harm your aquatic pets. If needed, plain water should work perfectly fine.
Just avoid using untreated tap water as it contains various contaminants. With that, you will complete your first deep-cleaning session. Now, all that is left is to move back and admire the pristine look of your fish tank.
On a final note, let’s talk about a few things that you should avoid while deep-cleaning your fish tank. Don’t use any random store-bought cleaning supplies and invest in specialized ones. Also, make sure the water you use for your fish is not extremely hot or cold.
The water must be the same temperature as the water in the container you use to store your fish while cleaning. This type of deep cleaning should be carried out once every two weeks at least. In case algae growth is excessive and the tank looks dirty, do it even sooner.
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