Aquarium Maintenance Archives - Page 7 of 13

We’ve talked about the importance of using RODI water for your fish tank and the process of changing the water. What we haven’t discussed is how to clean an aquarium tank itself, along with its contents.

As with everything else associated with owning and maintaining a fish aquarium, cleaning it requires gentleness and tender loving care. Most of the fish tank’s inhabitants are living beings, after all, and they depend on you to keep them strong and healthy.

It’s important to understand the easiest, neatest, safest, and most sanitary methods of cleaning an aquarium tank to ensure the well-being of your livestock.

How to Clean an Aquarium Tank: What to Do

• Use algae pads and scrapers to clean the inside of the tank.

• If they appear especially dirty or have an excessive amount of algae, remove artificial rocks, plants, and other decorations from the tank before cleaning them with an algae scraper.

• Remove excess debris from live plants by gently scrubbing them with your fingers. If the algae growth is significant, soak the plants in a solution of 10 percent bleach and water for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse them thoroughly with RODI (reverse osmosis deionization) water before returning them to the tank. Be extremely cautious when using this method, as bleach is harmful to the tank’s inhabitants.

• When it comes to decorations, you can avoid bleach altogether by simply placing them in the sun for 3-5 days. The sun will clean the algae right off. Rinse them well prior to putting the decorations back into the aquarium. If you’d rather not go for that long without having decorations in your tank, consider purchasing a second set of decorations that you can place in the tank while the others are soaking in the sun. This process is a win-win, as you get a new look for your aquarium as you clean the tank and it’s safer than using bleach.

• Use a gravel vacuum or siphon pump to vacuum the gravel before returning items to the tank.

• Use a natural solution like a small amount of vinegar diluted in water to clean the outside of the tank and the cover with a microfiber cloth. Regularly rinse the cloth with water as you’re cleaning the tank to keep the acidic solution from entering the tank.

• Consider hiring a professional aquarium maintenance technician for the best results, to create the most sustainable habitat for your livestock, and to make life easier on you.

• If you’re cleaning a small fish bowl, it may be wise to temporarily move the fish to another bowl. If it’s a larger tank, you should be able to leave the fish in the tank while you clean it, as they will have enough room to swim away to safer waters.

• Regularly trim and prune live plants to keep them healthy, allowing them to continue naturally filtering the tank. Doing so will also eliminate excess algae growth and contribute to a more beautiful aquarium.

• If the filters are dirty or clogged, unplug them and then carefully use a gentle sponge and water from the tank to remove grime, waste, and algae.

How to Clean an Aquarium Tank: What Not to Do

• Do not start from scratch. A small amount of waste is important for the maintenance of a natural habitat. In fact, you should only change 15-20% of the water every two weeks for both reef and freshwater planted tanks, and 20-25% of the water once a month for both fresh and saltwater swim/fish only tank.

• Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia in the water or to clean the inside of the glass. They can kill the fish and live plants.

• Do not use soap or dishwashing liquid. They’re harmless to us, but to those tiny creatures in the tank, they can be lethal or extremely irritating to their skin and eyes.

• Do not neglect regular maintenance. You can give the tank a basic, simple cleaning daily, but thoroughly clean the tank as described above at least once every week or two, depending on how many fish you have and the size of the tank.

• Do not clean the filters more than once a week. Allow them to do their job for your fish tank.

We know you love your aquarium and its residents. Every time you look at those little guys, you feel a sense of peace and tranquility. You want to give them the best life possible, but sometimes despite your best efforts, you might need a little help doing so. It’s important to hire someone to maintain your aquarium for many reasons – for your benefit and for that of your livestock.

Why You Should Hire Someone to Maintain Your Aquarium

1. A regular aquarium cleaning schedule will be maintained.

Yup, we know how you are.

“I’ll clean the tank tomorrow.”

And then tomorrow comes and it’s, “Oh, I forgot to clean the tank, and now I don’t have time. Tomorrow, I promise.”

Two weeks later, you look at the murky tank that you still have not cleaned and think, “Aw man, I really should have cleaned it sooner. The fish are probably getting sick – or are really, really ticked off at me at best.”

When you hire someone to maintain your aquarium, the tank will be cleaned on a regular basis, taking the responsibility off your shoulders.

2. The best methods will be used.

Even beyond remembering to maintain your own aquarium, there is a lot of misinformation out there. A professional will understand the characteristics and needs of each of the fish and other wildlife, as well as the best sanitation and aeration methods.

3. It’ll get cleaner than it would otherwise.

A professional will take the time to thoroughly clean the rock, the gravel, and the tank itself.

4. The fish will stay safe and sound.

You don’t want to risk harming the fish by mistake if you clean the aquarium yourself. A professional will know the best ways to thoroughly clean the aquarium while keeping its inhabitants safe.

Additionally, a professional will be able to identify if one or more of your fish are sick, injured, or under- or overfed.

5. Someone else will do the hard work for you.

Admit it. Cleaning your aquarium is one of those household errands that you hate to do – because it truly is time-consuming, messy work. Depending on the type of aquarium you have, it might be a challenge as well, especially if you have to move or disconnect equipment.

6. The equipment will continue to run efficiently.

As a professional cleans your aquarium, he or she will check on all of the equipment to make sure it’s running properly and to ensure nothing is broken. If you don’t already have the best filtration systems for your aquarium, a professional will be able to advise you in that regard as well.

Get Us to Help You!

If you do decide to hire someone to maintain your aquarium, it’s important to choose someone who is experienced and reliable. In addition to providing you with all of the above-mentioned benefits, a good aquarium technician will genuinely care about the well-being of your livestock.

At Seatech Aquariums, we do our best to ensure that your fish are happy and healthy and that your aquarium is an ideal atmosphere for them to thrive. You see, we get that calm and peaceful feeling when we look at them too, so we want to take care of them as much as you do.

We even offer 24/7 emergency services for our current clients. Contact us to learn more about our aquarium maintenance services in the Phoenix area.

Tag Archives: Aquarium Maintenance

How to Clean an Aquarium Tank: What to Do and What Not to Do