The filter in your fish tank can only clean so much – you’ll need a semi-regular manual clean to maintain the tank and keep your fish happy and healthy. Depending on how many fish you have, the size of your tank, and what filtration system you have, this could be every few weeks to a few months.
If you’re wondering how to clean your tank effectively, read on for our top tips.
1. There’s no need to remove your fish from the tank. Leaving the fish in the tank stops your guppy from getting stressed, and you’re less likely to cause injury to it. Instead, start by unplugging any lights, heaters, and filters.
2. Remove the tank décor, such as artificial plants, and gently clean these in a bowl with warm water. There’s no need to use soap – a good scrub with plain water will do – soaps could kill your dish. You don’t have to clean the décor every time you wash your tank, only when you notice the décor getting grubby.
3. Start cleaning the glass from the top to the bottom to help remove algae. A soft sponge moved in small circular motions should do the trick, or you could use a scraper – make sure you use a plastic one rather than a metal scraper if your fish tank is made from acrylic. Some algae may drop into the gravel, but this won’t be an issue.
4. Once the glass is clean, it’s time to clean the substrate. The gravel can be cleaned with an aptly-named gravel cleaner which siphons off some of the water and the waste, algae, and uneaten food – so make sure you have a bowl or bucket on hand and save this wastewater for later.
5. Since the gravel cleaner removed around 20% of the water, it’s time to top it back up with some fresh water. Ensure the water you add has been treated and dechlorinated for your type of fish and is the same temperature as your remaining tank water.
6. Finally, it’s time to clean your filter. Open it up and remove the sponge, popping it into the bucket of wastewater you saved when cleaning the substrate. This will ensure plenty of good bacteria are left on the sponge so it can keep doing its job properly as it provides biological filtration. Swill it around and squeeze it to help remove residue – cleaning it too thoroughly/deeply can destroy the beneficial bacteria.
7. Reassemble your filter and pop it back with the tank décor, lights, and heater.
For more pet inspiration, you can browse our Fish collection or our entire Pets department.
