How to Clean a Fish Tank

Generally there is a misconception that cleaning thewhich are recommended by the pet fish shop
fish tank means cleaning it totally. That is incorrect.owners.
Bacterial colonies are formed on the filters as well asAfter doing the outside cleaning, you can put in place
inside the aquarium and they will be eliminated alongthe decorations and the plants as well as the rocks
with the dirt when you clean it altogether. I can tellinside the tank. Do not touch the filters while doing all
you a preferred method of cleaning your fish tank.this cleaning. Bacterial colonies are form on the filters
You should begin with the glass. Clean it with an algaewhich are good for fish. They are useful to reduce
pad. Use a long-handled scrubber, preferably a smallerthe toxic chemicals from the water. So you should
one. To avoid the chemical residue on the pads, it isnot disturb them. You can do the filter cleaning only
better to buy pads from the pet fish shop instead ofafter a few days.
any department store. You can use a razor blade toHow to clean the filters?
get rid of stubborn residue. If it is an acrylic aquarium,Some experts say that it is desirable to replace the
you can use a plastic razor to avoid scratches.filters every time. Others warn about the loss of
After cleaning the glass, remove all the insidebacterial groups formed on the filters if you do that.
decorations as well as artificial plants. Clean themIn my opinion, you can replace the filters only after
thoroughly. Never use soap for cleaning them. Even acleaning them a couple of times. If the filters are
trace of soap may be lethal for your fish. Insteadammonia absorbers, it is better to change them after
you can use a scrub. Thereafter, rinse the entirethree weeks. If you are using mechanical filters, you
thing in running water.can rinse them gently to take out the dirt and again
You can bleach live plants but with modest quantityput them in place. The filter brushes are available
of solution - around five per cent. You need to rinsewhich will help to clean the areas which are not
the plants well after the breach.accessible easily.
Always use a bucket kept aside for the aquariumOnce you perform all this tasks, keep a log of your
purposes only. Do not use any other regular bucketswork. You should be regular in cleaning job. The time
because they may contain soap which may beduration would depend upon the size of your
dangerous for your fish.aquarium and the fish you are keeping. However as a
Then you should vacuum the gravel to take awaygeneral rule, it is desirable to scrape the outside glass
the debris. Do it thoroughly so that all the dirt isevery week. You should clean the rocks and plans
removed.whenever you notice dirt or algae on them. You may
After you clean the insides of your aquarium, turnclean the filter every month. If you are regular in
your attention to the exteriors. You should clean theyour cleaning schedule, your aquarium will look great
outside glass, the hood and the light. Do not useall the time.
normal glass cleaners. Instead, you may use cleaners