Fish Tank Maintenance

A fish tank is relatively low maintenance, but regular cleaning is essential to keeping fish healthy and fish tanks beautiful. Depending on the level of dirt that has accumulated, cleaning a fish tank can take anywhere from a few minutes to the better part of an afternoon. Always use cleaning products that are not toxic to fish and be sure to thoroughly rinse off any cleaning agents before reintroducing rocks or hiding places to a tank. After a tank is cleaned well, light maintenance such as changing the water and filters in addition to vacuuming gravel should be all that is needed.

It must be noted that before a major tank cleaning, fish should be temporarily relocated to another suitable environment. For those with multiple tropical fish tanks, displaced fish can sometimes be added to another stocked tank for a short period of time. Before the move, make sure that aggressive fish have their own quarantined area and the aquarium has ample room for the new additions. Transfer fish as quickly as possible when moving them to their new fish tanks to avoid complications. 

         There are a few basic tools that are required for any major aquarium fish tank cleaning project.  Have an algae scraper or razor (metal or plastic), a highly diluted bleaching solution, a siphon and plenty of paper towels or sponges.  Soap or detergents should never be used, as they are toxic to fish, even the smallest traces can wreak havoc on a fish population.  A glass marine fish tank will not scratch if cleaned with abrasive materials like metal or scrubbing pads, but softer sponges and plastic algae scrapers are necessary for acrylic tanks.  There are tools and cleaning solutions designed specifically for use in fish tanks, and they may be worth the investment for a dedicated aquarist.  These can be purchased anywhere that offers fish tanks for sale.

         After emptying the tank of water and removing it from the fish tank stand, go to work removing any algae that has accumulated on the glass.  Begin by using an algae pad or scraper to remove algae that is stuck fast to the sides and bottom of a tank.  Algae can be stubborn, but take care not to scratch the walls of your aquarium during removal.  These pads may also be used to remove algae growth from rocks and plants.

Clean the inside of the tank with a mild, bleach based cleaning solution.  The ratio of bleach to water should be at most 10 parts to 100.  Use this solution on the inner and outer walls as well as the tank floor.  After you have completely sterilized the tank, rinse every surface thoroughly to remove any lingering residue.  As an added precaution, use a water test kit to make sure that the ammonia levels in the water are within an acceptable range before reintroducing the fish to the aquarium. 

         A small water siphon is ideal for cleaning fish tank gravel.  A siphon will pull any dirty water from the gravel and remove debris that has sunk to the tank’s floor.  Siphons should be used over a sink or outside, as the dirty water is often immediately expelled.  The smaller the siphon the better, as they may also be used for the same purpose in regular fish tank maintenance.

         Some experts recommend that a fish tank filter not be cleaned after the tank is scrubbed.  Filters use bacteria to break down waste and produce nitrates, and cleaning can remove many of these necessary colonies.  Allow a few weeks for your tank to recover before cleaning the filter as detailed on the instructions that came with it. 

         Now that your fish tank is pristine, all that is required to keep it that way is regular maintenance.  Water changes and filter cleanings should be performed regularly, and the tank should be shielded from the sun to reduce algae growth.