Periodic cleaning of your fish tank is essential to maintaining the health and beauty of all who live there. The fish tank cleaning process is fairly simple, takes 15 to 30 minutes and will keep your occupants happy, your tank beautiful and prevents fish disease. It also lowers fish stress and ensures the longevity of the ecosystem.
There are 7 steps to cleaning a fish tank. Step 1, unplug all powered devices to your tank, Step 2, clean the inside glass with an algae scrub pad, Step 3, remove living plants and fish, Step 4, scrub and clean artificial plants and decorations, Step 5, clean waste material and debris from the bottom of the tank with a gravel vacuum, Step 6, perform a 25% water change, Step 7, wait one week to clean or replace the filter.
Resist the temptation to remove all the water and replace the gravel or sand. There are essential bacterial colonies in your aquarium that need an established substrate to call home in order to survive. These good bacteria help to convert harmful waste to harmless nitrites in the water and are beneficial to a well-balanced aquarium. With some minor effort and the proper cleaning supplies your tank will be a beautiful habitat and a wonder to watch.
Fish Tank Cleaning Supplies
- Algae scrub pad
- Aquarium Gloves
- Fish net
- Razor blade (plastic blade for acrylic tanks)
- Water siphon (gravel vacuum)
- Filter brush
- Sponge
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Filter media
- 3 Buckets (for aquarium use only, bucket no. 1 is for fish, bucket no. 2 is for live plants, bucket no. 3 is for water changes and cleaning artificial plants, rocks, decorations and equipment))
- Paper towels
- Bleach (unscented and without any other added chemicals)
- Glass cleaner (for aquariums)
- Chlorine remover (aquarium water conditioner)
Step 1 – Unplug and Remove All Powered Devices to Your Tank
The next step is to unplug all powered devices from your tank. Next put on your aquarium gloves and remove any heaters, filters, tubing and air stones from the tank. This will keep these devices from getting broken through the cleaning process and free up access to more of the tank. From a safety perspective this will also keep you from the possibility of breaking any electrically powered devices and from getting shocked.
Step 2 – Cleaning the Inside Glass
Start by giving the inside glass a good cleaning with an algae scrub pad.
Buy algae pads at a pet shop instead of the home goods or cleaning supply section of a regular store. Out of the box the products look very similar the home goods stores or cleaning supply scrub pads can have soap or chemical residue. That residue doesn’t matter if you are cleaning your bathroom sink, but it would likely kill your fish.
If there is remaining algae that the scrub pad will not remove, use a razor blade to scrape it off. Use a razor blade extension arm to keep your fingers from the blade and to extend the reach around the entire tank. If your aquarium is acrylic, use a plastic razor blade, as standard razors will scratch the acrylic.
If your fish tank has a lid remove it and clean the inside or downward facing portion of the glass. This is the vapor barrier for water that naturally evaporates from the tank. As the evaporated water beads up on the inner lid mold can form, which is toxic to fish. Drying this surface from time to time and cleaning this surface when you clean your tank will prevent any harmful exposure to your fish.
Step 3 (Optional) – Remove Living Plants and Fish
If you can avoid removing the root systems of your living plants you increase the likelihood of their longevity and survival. We recommend trimming your living plants of dead leaves or where they are over-grown rather than removing them. Moving fish from their home is stressful and stress is one of the primary killers of fish. If you can avoid moving your fish the we highly recommend it. If you plan to keep your fish in the tank through the cleaning process then skip down to step 4, option 1 and go from there.
If you are breaking down your tank or your tank is so dirty you feel removing plant life and fish are unavoidable then start by filling up a bucket (no. 1) with clean water that is close to 25% of your tank’s capacity. Next treat the water in the bucket with chlorine remover. This will make the water safe for your fish whilst we follow the remaining steps. Use your fish net and remove you’re your fish from your tank to your bucket of water.
Now fill up a bucket (no. 2) with clean water and treat with chlorine remover. Carefully and slowly remove your living plants and place it in the bucket of de-chlorinated water. Keep in mind that disturbing the bottom of your tank without a gravel vacuum can release unwanted toxins into the tank water so try not to shake off any debris in the tank before removing.
Step 4 – Scrub and Clean Artificial Plants and Decorations
There are really two methods for cleaning artificial plants and decorations. Both of these options will end with clean results and are intended for either easy or difficult to clean surfaces.
- Option 1, Scrub your Ornaments and Artificial Plants – This is the fastest method and intended for cleaning of items with minimal buildup.
- Fill up your bucket (no. 3) with clean water and treat with chlorine remover.
- Carefully remove your artificial plants and decorations and place into the second bucket. Use a sponge to wipe away the algae and debris from your artificial plants and decorations. Use the same water to clean your heater, air bubble tubing and outer casing for your filter. For tough to remove spots or hard to reach areas use your all-natural bamboo toothbrush.
- Once the cleaning is finished complete step 5 below then place your artificial plants and decorations back into the tank. The remaining water in bucket number two should be discarded.
- Option 2, Bleach your Ornaments and Artificial Plants – For hardened and difficult to remove algae buildup use this method.
- Make sure you are wearing protective gloves and fill up your bucket (no. 3) with 9 cups of clean water and 1 cup of bleach into the bucket. If the water is not deep enough to submerge your items then follow the 1-part bleach to 9-parts of water (1:9 ratio) recipe and add more to the bucket.
- Soak your aquarium ornaments and artificial plants for about 15 minutes. Discard the bleach water and re-fill the bucket (no. 3) with clean water. Scrub the artificial plants, rocks and ornaments with a sponge and brush under running water then let the items soak in the bucket (no. 3) with clean water for another 15 minutes.
- Once the cleaning is finished complete step 5 below then place your artificial plants and decorations back into the tank. The remaining water in the bucket (no. 3) should be discarded.
Step 5 – Clean Waste Material and Debris from the Bottom of the Tank with a Gravel Vacuum
In this step you will be cleaning the waste material and debris from the bottom of the tank while simultaneously removing about 25% of the water from your tank into your bucket (no. 3). A siphon can flow very quickly so if your gravel vacuum has an adjustable flow valve then adjust it so that you are able to remove waste material and debris from the bottom without draining more than 25% of the water.
When using the gravel syphon, you want to slowly move through the substrate in a circular motion to maximize the vortex and suction power of the syphon. Using your gravel vacuum, clean the bottom of the tank then discard the water collected in your bucket (no. 3). After you finish cleaning the bottom of the tank, add your powered devices but do not turn them on until after the tank is filled with water. Add live plants from your bucket (no. 2) and your artificial plants, rocks and decorations.
Watch this helpful video for two helpful tips using a gravel vacuum to remove waste and debris from your fish tank. The fish tank gravel cleaning process is simple, takes 15 to 30 minutes and will keep your occupants happy, your tank beautiful and prevents fish disease. For a helpful general maintenance guidance substrate cleaning please see our article on When to Clean Fish Tank Gravel.
Step 6 – Perform a 25% Water Change
Take your fish and water from bucket no. 2 and add to your fish tank. Your fish tank should be filled to its original level. Now it is safe to turn your electronic devices (water heater, filter, bubbler, etc.) back on. Keep in mind that fish need to adjust to changes in the water so with your water change add stress coat water conditioner to your tank to protect your fish while they adapt to the changes.
Water changes are an essential part of cleaning your fish tank. For maintenance of your fish tank it is recommended to change 10% to 25% of your water every 3 to 4 weeks. This recommendation is an average and regular water testing will help you determine the timing right for your tank.
Step 7 – Wait One Week to Clean or Replace the Filter
Once finished your fish tank water will be somewhat cloudy but after a few hours your filter will remove any remaining debris. Wait for one week to clean or replace your filter media.
You are finished! Now look at your beautiful and clean fish tank.