Cleaning an aquarium step by step - tips and tricks for all occasions

Aquarium fish need clean water. It's a matter of survival. Waste products are released into the surrounding fluid. This makes it toxic. The fish breathe it again and receive a dose of toxic substances - ammonia, nitrates, nitrites. Over time, the concentration increases. The inhabitants of the aquarium get sick and die. The water looks clean. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly clean the aquarium and change its water.

Another reason is overgrowth. It is also associated with waste products, rotting food debris, and microorganisms. The glass becomes covered with dirt and algae. The water becomes cloudy. The filter becomes clogged and stops working. The life of the fish becomes unbearable.

How to clean an aquarium?

To do this you will need a certain set of tools. Detergents are used every few cleanings. In addition, you need clean, fresh water and a container where you can place the aquarium inhabitants and plants.

Aquarium cleaning tools

1. First of all, you will need a net. They catch flora and fauna.
   

   Interesting fact: a small net is easier to manipulate in the water, a larger one is easier to catch fish. The choice of net depends on personal convenience.

2. To clean the walls you need a special scraper. Different materials require different scrapers; there are separate types for cleaning corners and stubborn dirt. You need a set of several scrapers or a universal tool with interchangeable attachments. This will allow you to achieve better cleanliness and ensure the prevention of various diseases.
3. To clean the soil from waste, a siphon is needed. This is a specially designed container with a hose. The soil is scooped up with a siphon, water and waste flow down the hose, and heavier materials remain in place.
4. A bucket, preferably several, is used in different ways. Dirty water is poured into it and clean water is poured out of it. You can put fish in it while cleaning. The bucket into which the aquarium is drained should be used only for this purpose, so that toxic substances do not get anywhere else.

Detergents

There is often advice to use bleach or “whiteness”.

Attention! It is prohibited to wash the aquarium itself with them! Getting even a small amount of such products into the water will kill all the fish. Bleach is used in exceptional cases and only for cleaning decorations.

A less dangerous analogue is hydrogen peroxide. The ideal solution is plain water. Only it definitely won’t harm the inhabitants. For particularly difficult stains, boiling water is used.

Baking soda, potassium permanganate, and washing powder solution are used to disinfect the tank.

It is acceptable to use chemical cleaners on the outer walls of the aquarium. The procedure should be performed carefully and carefully. Special napkins for glass and napkins for monitors are also suitable.

Criterias of choice

The choice of preparation agent depends on the quality of the source water. With the help of tests we can find out:

• presence of chlorine,
• nitrate concentration,
• acidity,
• hardness of water.

Aquarists are guided by test results and habitat requirements imposed by the living creatures inhabiting the aquarium.

Price, bottle volume, and the amount of conditioner used to treat 100 liters of water are significant factors of choice.

For aquarium fish

There should be a product on hand that turns tap water into an environment suitable for fish. This drug should:

• remove chloramine, chlorine, metals from water;
• add vitamin complexes that increase the vitality of fish;
• promote the growth of bacteria that form biological filtration of water.

For turtles

For turtles, in particular red-eared turtles, choose a product that can:

• remove chlorine from water and precipitate heavy metals;
• strengthen the turtle shell due to the humic substances contained in the preparation.

How to properly clean an aquarium in a planned step-by-step manner

A routine cleaning of an aquarium involves several parts: cleaning the bottom, walls, decorations, filter (if necessary) and adding water. The aquarist’s movements should be smooth so as not to frighten the inhabitants.

Note! During scheduled cleaning, fish are not removed. This will cause more stress than cleaning. In addition, a sharp change in the composition of the water has a very bad effect on the health of fish.

The soil and bottom of the aquarium are cleaned last. As a result of previous actions, dirt and algae settle right there. Washing the soil removes debris and completes maintenance.

How to clean the walls of an aquarium

The walls are cleaned with special scrapers or a sponge without the use of cleaning agents. Particular attention must be paid to the corners. The type of tool depends on the material of the aquarium: glass is difficult to scratch, but for acrylic you will have to use the softest surface.

To begin with, the aquarist cleans the walls of the container from plaque. Next comes the turn of seams, corners and the ground area. If there is a lid, it is convenient to remove it and rinse the whole thing under running water.

It is usually enough to rinse the outer walls with warm water and wipe dry. A sponge will help with heavy dirt. Wipes for glass or monitors are safe and will eliminate streaks. You can use liquid to clean glass. If the aquarium does not have a lid, glass cleaners must be used carefully. The product is applied to half the walls, then distributed manually. Wipe the container with paper, newspaper without pictures, soft cloth, microfiber cloths.

Scenery

Stone and artificial plants are cleaned with running water and a sponge. For more severe stains, boiling water is used. Hydrogen peroxide and bleach are used only in extreme cases. Bleach must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:9.

Important! After using cleaning products, rinse items thoroughly before placing them in the aquarium. Even a small amount of bleach will cause the death of all fish. Unwashed peroxide will disintegrate in water, but it will still not be beneficial for your pets.

Poor quality decorations can be damaged by bleach. Also, they cannot be used to process objects made of silk.

Only water is used to clean natural scenery. Some experts recommend not washing them at all. It’s really better not to even move snags and branches. The algae growing on them is often decorative and serves as food for some fish. Corals should not be moved either. But the stones need careful processing. If there is a lot of debris on the corals and branches, the problem is usually due to improper organization of the aquarium. Lack of space, too many fish, too much feeding - these are the things that need to be corrected first. If the tank becomes overgrown with algae too quickly, you need to fight the cause, not the effect.

Plant treatment

Many aquarium plants are easy to care for. They need to be cut and weeded. Trimming must be done regularly as algae grows quickly. Plants with long stems are most decorative from above, and timely pruning will preserve their appearance. Weeding is done carefully, without approaching the stem directly.

Some plants reproduce by layering. They will quickly fill the entire aquarium. If this scenario is undesirable, the cuttings should be removed at each scheduled cleaning.

Yellowed, fallen, rotting parts of algae must be removed. For these purposes it is convenient to use a narrow net.

Equipment

Timely cleaning of the filter is important for the well-being of the fish. The water pressure signals the need to do this. If it has become weaker, the device must be processed. It is clogged with food debris, algae and limescale.

The internal filter is the easiest to clean. You just need to rinse it under running water. Some people recommend using aquarium water for this so that the bacteria living on the filter do not die. However, these bacteria normally live in the soil. If the filter is washed with plain water, microorganisms will very quickly repopulate it. You will also need to clean the body of the device from algae and plaque.

You will have to clean the motor itself and its impeller somewhat less often. They are wiped with a clean dry cloth.

Be careful! Before disassembling the filter, disconnect it from the power supply.

Low-power filters in small aquariums must be treated with every scheduled cleaning. Stronger ones - every other time. Experts do not achieve perfect cleanliness when washing the filter. It will only harm the fish.

Some filter parts need to be replaced from time to time. There are disposable membranes that will have to be changed every week. Special sponges built into the device are replaced less frequently. If they are falling apart, it's time to buy new ones. The lifespan of the filter itself is also limited. At a certain point it stops being cleansed. You cannot treat it with detergents; you need to buy a new one.

The external filter is washed much less frequently. This is a more complex process. After disconnecting the device from the network, you must turn off the taps of the hoses, then separate the latter from the device. Next, the hoses, trays with filter filler, and the inside of the housing must be washed. This is convenient to do in the bath or shower. A narrow brush is suitable for hoses.

Afterwards the pallets must be placed back. Now comes the turn of the filter impeller. The housing is filled with water and the device is assembled. Hoses are connected. The aquarist then turns on the water supply and the electric current.

Important! When cleaning filters, do not use detergents! The smallest amount of cleaner will be distributed throughout the entire aquarium by the water flow. If the contamination is complex, hot water will help.

If the aquarium has a compressor, it also needs to be cleaned. Most often the hose becomes clogged. It can be cleaned or replaced. If the air filter is dirty, you will have to disassemble the device. You can wipe it from dust with a clean dry cloth.

The internal heating element is cleaned of algae. Usually you have to leave it on.

How to wash the soil in an aquarium

There is an opinion that aquarium soil must be cleaned by rinsing it with running water. Some beginners even heat it with boiling water. You can't do that. This will kill all beneficial microorganisms, disrupt the nitrogen balance in the aquarium and can lead to fish disease. Using a siphon is the correct way to clean.

Washing the soil too frequently should be avoided. This also has a negative effect on the fish. Cleaning once every two times will be sufficient.

How to clean the bottom of an aquarium

If there is no soil in the aquarium, the bottom is cleaned with a scraper. After which the waste layer is removed with a siphon.

Cleaning and adding water to the aquarium

Water change volumes are from 10% to 50% at a time. The frequency of water changes also varies. The water cannot be completely drained. Tap water won't work either. It contains too much chlorine. To purify water, it must be left for a day. Or you need to use special products such as air conditioners. Vitamins and mineral supplements will tailor the water exactly to the desired fish. Aquarium salt is used to obtain sea water.

Attention! If the water is cloudy, changing it completely can only make it worse.

If the liquid has deteriorated after adding fish or changing the water, it is usually enough to wait a few days. The sediment will settle to the bottom. If fresh water has not been added, the following options are possible:

1. The filter has deteriorated or become dirty. It needs to be replaced or cleaned.
2. Burrowing fish can lift a lot of soil from the bottom. They need a more powerful filter.
3. The aquarium is overcrowded. You will have to put some of the fish in another container.
4. Insufficient quality or too infrequent cleaning of the aquarium.
5. Driftwood and branches release tannins when placed in water. They color the liquid and are liked by many fish. After some time, the tank will be clean again.
6. Poor quality decorations are used. Poor quality varnish or paint can leach into the water, changing its color and poisoning the inhabitants. Such items must be removed immediately.

Rating of the best products and additives for aquarium water in 2021

Air conditioners

Sera Aquatan

The Sera Aquatan series is designed for preliminary preparation of a container for the release of fish, algae, and other plants after treatment of tap water. The conditioner neutralizes chlorine, chlorine derivatives, and metals. In addition, the liquid is enriched with minerals that promote the growth of invertebrates and plants, improving the health of other inhabitants of the sea or river bottom. The mineral additives of this conditioner contain manganese, iodine, and magnesium. After treating the water, it is recommended to release the inhabitants a day later. Experts also recommend using the tandem Sera Aquatan plus Sera Bio Nitrivec to get the best results. The advantage of the composition is the volume, which has the following variations: 250 ml, 500, 1 liter, 2.5 liters, 5 liters.

Sera Aquatan

Advantages:

• Wide range capacity capacity;
• Ease of operation;
• Proven remedy;
• Average price.

Flaws:

• Action start time.

Tetra AquaSafe

A distinctive feature of the presented drug, in addition to the natural detoxification of heavy metals and chloramines, is the promotion of the formation of “protective mucus” on top of the scales. This will allow pets to more effectively resist infections and heal existing wounds. Tetra AquaSafe prevents the development of brown algae in and out of colonies, eliminates waste products from pets, preventing stress. The high cost of an air conditioner is partially offset by economical consumption. Another advantage, compared to similar formulations, is the onset of action. Considering the totality of its properties, Tetra AquaSafe is a profitable purchase from a company that has rightfully earned the recognition of users all over the world.

Tetra AquaSafe

Advantages:

• Wide range capacity capacity;
• Versatility of use;
• Performance;
• Decent characteristics.

Flaws:

• Expensive for the price;
• No child protection.

Biological supplements

Tetra Bactozym

The product improves the quality characteristics of the aquatic environment through fermentation, as a result of which excess organic matter decomposes, making the living space clean and aesthetically pleasing. By neutralizing ammonia and nitrite impurities, Tetra Bactozym not only makes the life of fish more comfortable, but also improves the immunity of pets, allowing them to cope with diseases or recover from illness. Tetra Bactozym is used for the purpose of starting (preliminary preparation) of the aquarium or cleaning, helping mechanical filters in cleaning. The product is produced in granules, one package contains 10 granules which are enough for 1000 liters.

Tetra Bactozym

Advantages:

• Economical use;
• Efficiency;
• Versatility.

Flaws:

• No.

Sera Filter Biostart

A biofilter that includes natural components, enzymes, microorganisms that break down organic substances formed during the life of the inhabitants of the underwater kingdom, fish, plants, invertebrates and the food consumed by them. Therefore, as a rule, Sera Filter Biostart is applied to the food itself, for example, such as Sera Filter Biostart, after which feeding occurs. By cleaning containers, the product eliminates turbidity of the environment, bad odor, and improves natural metabolism. Sera Filter Biostart is often used as an “ambulance”, treating the aquatic environment if the user has temporarily forgotten about care. The cost is justified by the economics of use, such as a 2000 liter bottle. Plus, you should consider the quality, time-tested brand name.

Sera Filter Biostart

Advantages:

• Cost-effective;
• Efficiency;
• Eliminates odor;
• Convenient packaging.

Flaws:

• For freshwater aquariums only.

Vegetation management

Tetra Plantamine

Plants are not only a decoration for any aquarium, they are a necessary source of oxygen and natural metabolism. The product contains natural ingredients (manganese, iron, potassium) without any admixture of nitrates or phosphates. The use of Tetra Plantamin prevents the development of a glassy effect in leaves, which is manifested by depletion of the structure, the appearance of transparency, fragility, and then bald spots. Such symptoms indicate that plants, not receiving enough minerals, are slowly but surely dying. Dying vegetation pollutes the habitat and worsens aesthetic and quality parameters. Tetra Plantamin is interesting because it can be used for indoor plants, helping them grow and bloom. From time to time there are reviews saying that the drug is not very effective or, conversely, that the effect is too strong. However, all the negativity is associated with the incorrect dosage of the drug.

Tetra Plantamine

Advantages:

• Versatility of use;
• Valid for about a month;
• Without harmful impurities;
• Elementary use.

Flaws:

• The exact dosage must be observed.

Aquabalance Total

The product prevents the growth of algae, but improves the condition of underwater plants. For this purpose, Aquabalance Total is enriched with microelements, including potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, iron. Moreover, the last two components are balanced, so there are no problems when adding. Microelements have a chelated form, which allows the drug to be released in a gel-like state, plus quickly dissolve without residues or impurities. Therefore, the supplement packaging is equipped with a dispenser based on the principle of liquid soap, which simplifies the fertilizing process. Moreover, the effectiveness of the product should be specified; Aquabalance Total has a greater effect on plant growth. The development of harmful algae colonies only slows down. Therefore, if you need to get rid of algae clogging the aquarium, you should look for another drug.

Aquabalance Total

Advantages:

• The packaging lasts up to six months;
• The bottle is equipped with a dispenser;
• Instantly soluble microelements;
• Affordable cost;
• Shelf life up to three years;
• Ease of use.

Flaws:

• The dispenser requires periodic cleaning.

How to deep clean an aquarium with restart

Every aquarium needs a restart from time to time. It should not be carried out for prevention. Restarting an aquarium differs from the first start in that it is necessary to first sanitize the container and its contents.

Fish jigging

If the quality of the old aquarium water is sufficient, it is poured into a new container. The fish are transplanted there. Or use water that has been standing for at least two hours.

Important! You need to carefully monitor the behavior of the fish. Stress and changing conditions can cause illness or death.

Removing and washing plants and equipment

Living plants are washed with warm water and placed in a separate container. Filters and compressors are removed and thoroughly washed.

How to clean soil and decorations in an aquarium

To clean decorations in extreme conditions, it is acceptable to use bleach. Things must then be washed thoroughly. It is advisable to use boiling water. The soil is either replaced or processed. Processing consists of thoroughly washing the soil and calcining it in the oven.

Preparing and filling water

Water is prepared in the same way as during scheduled topping up. It is necessary to remember the concentration of various substances and compliance with PH, hardness and salinity.

Putting everything back in place

Starting the aquarium is carried out in the following order:

1. Soil is laid out at the bottom.
2. Suitable water is poured into the aquarium. The liquid level exceeds the ground level by about 10 cm.
3. Plants and decor are placed.
4. Equipment is being installed.
5. Residents are starting.
6. The water level is brought to the usual level in several steps.
7. The equipment turns on.

The behavior of the fish must be carefully monitored at first.

Mode of application

Air conditioners are used in 4 cases:

• when initially filling the aquarium;
• when preparing water for partial change or topping up;
• when correcting the composition of water, improving the quality of fish life;
• during treatment, transportation, depositing for spawning and quarantine measures, that is, in special, extraordinary cases.

During initial filling, topping up or partial renewal, the drug dissolves in water, which is poured into the aquarium.

When correcting the composition of water, combating turbidity of various origins, treating aquarium inhabitants, the drug is poured into a container with fish. Gently mix with the handle of a net or other chemically neutral instrument.

The instructions for use indicate the dosage of the drug . Usually it is 5 ml per 50 liters of water.

Conditioners should not get into the water from which food is prepared. They need to be hidden from children.

Special cases of cleaning an aquarium

How to clean a large aquarium at home

Magnetic scrapers are available for cleaning deep aquariums. One part of the device is placed in the water, the other on the other side of the glass controls its movements. This allows you to clean hard-to-reach places. Your hands won't get wet. There is no point in pulling large decorations out of the water. It is enough to wipe with a sponge before treating the soil. Small ones can be reached with a manipulator. A hose is used to add water.

How to clean a small aquarium

The only difficulty here is soil treatment. For a small aquarium with a volume of 10-20 liters, the siphon is too large. It will drain half the water or more. You need to cut it in half and insert a small tap inside. You can buy one in the garden products section. You can also use any narrow tube. There are compact, low-power siphons on sale specifically for small aquariums.

How to clean an aquarium with fry

This aquarium lacks decorations and soil. However, a lot of dirt accumulates. The reservoir becomes covered with dirt and mucus. It is removed with a sponge. You need to take a small siphon.

Note! A siphon with a tube of standard width can suck in the fry. You can catch it with a net. It is preferable to use a tube for small aquariums.

How to properly clean an aquarium that hasn't been cleaned for a long time

If there are no fish in the aquarium, the tank is subjected to standard processing and restarting. If there are fish, they have adapted to live in dirty, toxic water. A sudden change of fluid to a more suitable one will kill them. The replacement is carried out gradually, no more than 10-15% at a time. When cleaning, it is important to stop in time. Fish that are not used to it will panic and may harm themselves. You shouldn't do everything at once. The most important thing is to clean the filters and soil.

How to clean an aquarium in emergency situations

In extreme situations, such as illness or death of fish, deep processing is required. Cleaning agents and boiling water are used. The soil and decorations should be changed, the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned. Living plants are planted in a separate container for a month or three. They are undergoing quarantine.

The aquarium itself needs to be filled with potassium permanganate or a solution of bleach or washing powder. Keep it like this for a day and rinse thoroughly.

Types of aquarium air conditioners

Air conditioners for aquariums of different types are on sale, but they are conventionally divided into three main groups.

Classification of water conditioners:

1. Means to prevent infection and maintain the health of aquatic life. The composition includes components of plant origin.

2. Special additives for removing dangerous and aggressive chemical elements contained in tap water.

3. Conditioners for eliminating waste products of fish.

Tips for care and use.

How to prevent contamination so as not to wash the aquarium frequently

Maintenance must be carried out regularly. Cleaning too often and too hard will harm the fish, and too infrequently too. Cleaning products should only be used as a last resort. There should not be too many animals in the tank. There is no need to overfeed them. Equipment must be maintained in good condition. Part of the water is changed regularly. The soil should be siphoned, not washed. The main condition is attentive, but not excessive care.

How to clean the soil in an aquarium with a siphon

The end of the siphon hose must be directed into an empty bucket. Use the neck to scoop up the top layer of soil. The waste, along with some of the water, will fall into the bucket. You can't do this too carefully. It is enough to walk along the bottom once and remove what can be easily removed.

Attention! Some caution is required during the procedure. It can pull fish inside. This will not harm the small fish. It will go into a bucket where it will be easy to get out. But a large one, resisting the movement of water, can damage the fins. You should not point the siphon directly at the inhabitants of the aquarium.

If there are live plants in the tank, only the exposed areas need to be cleaned. If there are decorations and shelters, it is imperative to clean underneath them. This is where the most waste accumulates.

How to recognize aquarium pests and get rid of them

Any shellfish pose a threat to the aquarium, as they quickly pollute it. This is especially true for snails. They feed on fish food and actively reproduce. They can be removed by hand or using snail traps. These are sold in specialized stores.

Three types of algae pose a danger to an aquarium: brown, green and blue-green. To get rid of the first two, you need to adjust the tank lighting. Brown algae appears in dark water and looks like a brown coating. Greens multiply when there is too much light and make the water green and cloudy. If there are too many of them, residents can suffocate.

Attention! Algae reproduce only with sufficient food. Do not overfeed fish or keep many in one container. Timely cleaning is required.

Blue-green algae cover objects with a film. They are toxic to fish and steal light from plants. It's hard to get rid of them. The films are removed by hand or with a sponge, and the water is often replaced. Only restarting the aquarium is guaranteed to help.

If other algae appear in the aquarium, you can remove them physically.

Biological methods for cleaning an aquarium

Tetradons, loaches and Helena snails feed on other snails and clean the aquarium of them. Loricaria catfish eat rotting wood. Algae eaters and Amano shrimp will help get rid of algae.

We must remember that they are all living beings, just like other pets. They need to be looked after and their behavior monitored.

Cleaning an aquarium is a process that often intimidates beginners. There are many operations to be carried out and many parameters to be taken care of. Cleaning is slow at first, but over time it will take 30-40 minutes per week. A happy, healthy fish will please you much longer.

How often do you clean the aquarium, what equipment do you use? Write to us in the comments!

What to look for when purchasing?

When choosing an air conditioner for an aquarium, you should read consumer reviews on the Internet in advance, compare the cost of products, and familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics.

Since modern manufacturers offer a wide range of different additives for aquariums, before choosing them, it is worth knowing what they do, how they work, and how they should be used.

The main thing is that the chosen remedy:

• killed bacteria and viruses;
• neutralized chemicals (chlorine, heavy metals, chloramines contained in the water supply);
• increased the immunity of fish.

Preference should be given to proven and well-established brands that have a lot of positive reviews from customers.

How does the procedure change depending on the type of fish, their age and condition?

The most popular fish species and water features:

Before placing different types of fish in the same tank, you should make sure that they need the same water levels and temperatures, and are not harmless to each other.

Pregnant fish should be placed in a separate vessel or clean jar , partially filled with the water in which the fish lived before, and, if necessary, adding new settled water, checking all indicators.

The water in the expectant mother's home should be changed more often than usual. A suitable temperature is up to 28°C, since at higher temperatures females begin giving birth.

On a note! If the fish cannot give birth on its own, the water temperature deliberately rises.

Gaseous constituents of water

This type of substance evaporates through the surface of the water. Here we can consider the quantitative and qualitative compositions of dissolved gases in water. Gaseous substances in natural water enter into chemical reactions with other dissolved elements, thanks to diffusion they constantly circulate through the water mirror and are harmless and harmless to fish.

You can find out the water disinfection method for your area at your local water utility; this information will not be superfluous. At new water treatment stations, purification with ozone and ultraviolet light is used, and such water can be added without fear (it is pointless to protect it from oxygen and photons).

The outdated method of cleaning with chlorine is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but is still used. Chlorine and its derivatives are poisons. They allow you to destroy both harmful and beneficial bacteria, and depending on the concentration of large animals and even people.

Method for removing chlorine gas from water

Everyone knows the unpleasant smell of chlorine coming from freshly poured water. Water, while in a cup, ceases to smell after a while, which means that the chlorine molecules have evaporated.

If fish are placed in freshly collected chlorinated water, they will die from burns to the body and gill filaments.

After making some observations during settling, you can see that chlorine evaporates quite quickly. There is no need to let tap water sit for more than a day, since residual chlorine cannot affect the well-being of the fish.

An important point is the choice of dishes. The larger the area of ​​contact between water and the environment, the faster gas exchange occurs, and the chlorine disappears. It follows from this that when water settles in a large-diameter basin, it will become suitable for an aquarium much faster than when using a plastic bottle.

You cannot cover the container you are using with a lid, much less screw on the bottle, since there will be nowhere for gas impurities to evaporate, and the water that was chlorinated will remain so.

Ozone and its effect on fish

With ozone, things are a little different. It does not have a pronounced odor, although it carries freshness. Under natural conditions, we feel it during a thunderstorm, during the operation of air conditioners (ozonizing) and laser printers. Before water is supplied to the drinking pipeline, the process of ozonation occurs; ozone molecules are unstable and quickly transform into a stable compound - oxygen. Well, oxygen is not dangerous for fish.