How to Clean Fish Tank

What You'll Need

• Algae scraper or magnetic cleaner
• Gravel vacuum (siphon)
• Buckets (fish-safe, never used with soap)
• Water conditioner
• Clean cloths (no soap)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Scrape algae from the glass

   Use an algae scraper or magnetic cleaner to clean the inside glass walls. Do this while the water is still in the tank.

2. 2

   Vacuum the gravel

   Use a gravel vacuum to siphon debris from the substrate while simultaneously removing 10-25% of the water into a bucket.

3. 3

   Clean the filter

   Rinse filter media in the old tank water you removed (not tap water). Tap water kills beneficial bacteria the filter needs.

4. 4

   Refill with treated water

   Add treated water that matches the tank temperature. Dechlorinate with water conditioner before adding to the tank.

Pro Tips

• TIPNever clean everything at once. Beneficial bacteria in the filter and gravel are essential for fish health.
• TIPNever use soap, detergent, or household cleaners anywhere near a fish tank. Even trace residue is lethal to fish.
• TIPThe old tank water you siphon out is excellent fertilizer for houseplants.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• XUsing soap or any cleaning product in or near the tank, which is toxic to fish even in trace amounts.
• XReplacing all the water at once, which shocks fish and kills beneficial bacteria that process fish waste.
• XRinsing filter media in tap water, which kills the beneficial bacteria colonies that keep your fish alive.

Frequently Asked Questions