Cleaning Your Fish Tank Is a Responsibility
Your
fish have their very own full-time housekeeper.
That's right, you! To keep your pets in the swim
of things, it is recommended that you remove and
replace a percentage of the water, eliminate algae
buildup and clean the gravel in your aquarium at
least twice a month. Once you've established a regular
routine, you may even find yourself enjoying clean-up
time!
Your
filtration system works hard to remove fish waste,
uneaten food and other debris, but you'll need to
supplement this with regular water changes to reduce
the amount of dissolved contaminants in the tank.
Use a siphon hose, available at your aquarium supply
store, to siphon off 10 to 25 percent of the water
into a bucket. Replace this with clean water of
the same temperature that's been allowed to sit
for 24 hours, ample time for most of the chlorine
to have been eliminated. You can also use a water
conditioner that will neutralize the chlorine and
other toxins on contact; ask at your aquarium store
for a recommendation.
Fish Tank Cleaning & Algae
While
the water is being replaced, take time to vacuum
the gravel and decorations in the tank with your
siphon. This is a great way to pick up any excess
waste, and it's especially important if you have
an undergravel filter. If algae grows on the sides
of the tank, use a scraper to remove any excess
growth; it's best to do this before you replace
the water. Take care not to remove all the algae,
as your fish will enjoy nibbling up some of this
yummy green food.
As
you complete your chores, it's a good idea to check
the status of your filters--but keep in mind that
cleaning schedules will vary, depending on the size
of the filters you use and the number of fish in
your tank. When it is time to clean the filter,
it is recommended that you do not change all the
media--cartridges, sponges, etc.--at once. By doing
so, you could remove most of your beneficial bacteria.
Take care to rinse activated charcoal or other new
media before placing it in the filter.
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