| If you own a home aquarium, you know that | | | | scoop out the water and dump it into the sink, tub |
| keeping the tank clean is vital to having healthy fish, | | | | or toilet. Water removal can get a little messy, so |
| not to mention that it looks nicer as well. Keeping a | | | | keep a towel at the ready to clean up any spills. |
| clean tank is the single most important job of an | | | | Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 4 - Cleaning the |
| aquarium owner, and it is not complicated or difficult | | | | Gravel The gravel is probably the dirtiest part of your |
| work. | | | | aquarium, because it is where all of the waste and |
| First of all, you must establish and stick to an | | | | left over food is deposited. In order to properly clean |
| aquarium cleaning schedule. It is recommended that | | | | the gravel, it has to be completely removed from |
| you completely clean the tank approximately every | | | | the tank. This can be done with the fish net, a dust |
| two months. This is a good timeframe because it is | | | | pan or a small scoop. Put the gravel into a strainer |
| not too frequent but it is often enough to prevent a | | | | when you take it out of the tank. After it is all out, |
| lot of waste buildup or algae in the tank. Of course, | | | | run the gravel under very hot water, mixing it around |
| you should observe your own aquarium and adjust | | | | to make sure all of the rocks get a good cleaning. |
| this schedule as necessary, depending on the needs | | | | Set the gravel aside once it is clean. It will be |
| of your fish. | | | | returned to the tank later. |
| Here are 6 easy steps to keeping a clean and healthy | | | | Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 5 - Scrubbing |
| aquarium environment: | | | | The Tank Once everything has been removed from |
| Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 1 - Prepare A | | | | the tank, you can commence cleaning the glass. |
| complete aquarium cleaning requires some preparation | | | | There is usually waste and algae built up on the |
| and supplies. It is best to get everything you will | | | | aquarium walls, and this needs to be scrubbed off. |
| need together and in place before you begin the | | | | Using a scratch pad, rub the tank walls and bottom |
| cleaning process. | | | | gently taking care not to scratch the glass surface. |
| Here is a list of the necessary supplies: | | | | NEVER use any type of cleaning solution or |
| - a bucket or container to keep your fish in while you | | | | detergent to wash your aquarium. It will kill your fish. |
| clean their tank | | | | Use only hot water and a gentle scrubbing motion. |
| - a fish net | | | | Although you may need to go over it more than |
| - a towel for any inadvertent spills | | | | once, this will adequately clean all of the algae and |
| - a bucket or water pitcher to use when it is time to | | | | waste from the aquarium. |
| refill the tank | | | | If you have decorations or fake plants in the tank, |
| - a strainer | | | | these should also be thoroughly cleaned with hot |
| - a clean sponge and a clean rag. | | | | water. |
| Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 2 - Fish Removal | | | | Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 6 - All Clean! Ahh, |
| Before you can thoroughly clean the tank, you have | | | | a crystal clean aquarium. Now all you have to do is |
| to take out the fish. Simply remove the fish, one by | | | | put everything back into place. First put the gravel |
| one, with the fish net, and place them into the | | | | back in and spread it around the bottom of the tank. |
| container you have set aside to be their temporary | | | | Next add water, taking care that the temperature is |
| home. Make sure that the water in this container is | | | | as close to the original water as possible. Once the |
| the same as the water in their tank to prevent your | | | | tank is full again, put any decorations back into place |
| fish from going into shock. Keep the temporary | | | | and then return the fish to their aquarium home. |
| home in a stable spot where they will not be | | | | They should become reacclimated fairly quickly and |
| disturbed or jarred, as they will already by stressed | | | | your sparkling clean aquarium will be whole again. |
| from being taken from their aquarium home. | | | | Don't forget to clean and change the filter on a |
| Cleaning Your Home Aquarium Step 3 - Water | | | | regular basis to maintain optimum cleanliness and |
| Removal Once you have taken all of the fish out of | | | | water balance. Another trick is to replace around |
| the tank, you can start removing the water. It is | | | | 20% of the aquarium water once a month. This |
| recommended that you take out approximately | | | | reduces the time it takes when you do this major |
| three-quarters of the water from the tank during a | | | | cleaning every couple of months. A clean aquarium is |
| thorough cleaning, keeping some of the original tank | | | | a healthy aquarium, and it means your fish will live |
| water to help balance out the new water that will be | | | | long and live well. |
| added to the tank later. Using a small bucket , just | | | | |