You may be able to get away with a quick debris removal using a pool net, but if the pond is very dirty, you’ll need to remove most of the water as well. Deep cleaning your fish tank every other week is an important way to keep your fish happy and healthy. When you are ready to return your fish to their home, you can move them back the same way you transferred them out of the pond, with a net. While removing, gently pull out the innards of the fish. Read on to find out how to clean your new tank naturally and safely. It is not recommended, since you'd be killing all of your helpful nitratous bacteria, which filter your tank for toxins such as ammonia and nitrite. Introduce a few small, hardy fish such as danios or livebearers. My method works well for people smaller fish tanks (ten gallons or less) and for people that do not want to invest money into extra equipment. Just as you would clean up after a cat, or take a dog out for a walk, taking care of a fish requires things like cleaning air pumps, changing water filters, changing the water, and vacuuming the substrate from time to time. With small fish tanks, you must do fifty percent or larger water changes at least twice weekly but preferably every other day. By using our site, you agree to our. Start at the tail and move toward the head, keeping the knife at a 45-degree angle. You have to allow it to sit for several minutes. Once at least half of the water is saved, carefully pour out the remaining water into the sink. X Be careful while adding your fish so that their stress is reduced. Knock out and kill your fish if it isn’t already dead. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thanks wikiHow!". If not, give it about 5 minutes, just to be safe. All clear? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Twitter Google+. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Shrimp are natural cleaners, eating algae, dropped food, and other debris. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Self Cleaning Water Garden By Back To The Roots. This is an easy way to clean out waste from the pebbles. In order to maintain a clear view of our fish, scrub the tank walls with an algae … There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. After this time, open the bags. Starting at the tail, hold a dull knife or spoon at a slight angle and push against the skin toward the head, scraping the scales as you go. Repeat these steps until the water no longer picks up debris. I have a 2.5 gallon tank and I clean it every week, but my tank is still dirty. Schedule time to clean your tank. It is not beneficial to perform deep cleanings too often, as you will remove essential bacteria. There should be nothing except pebbles remaining in the tank. Set your fish up in a sink or cleaning station. For example, if you have a ten gallon tank, a good choice would be the Aqueon QuietFlow 10, which has a 100 GPH flow rate, and can flow all of the tank water through the filter completely in 6 minutes. I have a two gallon guppy aquarium and don't have a siphon that will fit in the tank. Reply We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Scale the fish by scraping gently with a dull knife. Prior to starting, make sure you have a clean work surface. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. You can purchase a plastic tank siphon at pet shops. Place your knife at a 45 degree angle, under the fin, at the point where the gills meet the body of the fish. Turn the fish over and repeat. b. This article has been viewed 118,897 times. Once the container is filled with enough tank water, use the fish net to remove the fish from the tank and place the fish in the smaller container. Small fish tanks hold under 10 gallons (39 liters) of water. The number of fish will depend on the size of the aquarium; ask a PetSmart associate for advice. Remove Algae. It just stresses the fish, which may lead to death. Is there another way to clean a small tank that doesn't include the use of a siphon? Dip a five-gallon bucket, or similar sized container, in the fish holding tank and fill it with water. Killing and Scaling the Fish 1. My 3 Nerite snails do a wonderful job keeping the algae growth on the glass under control. Typically it takes 2 to 4 minutes for water conditioner to remove chlorine. Smelt are little anadromous schooling fish (meaning they migrate from freshwater to saltwater) that spawn in rivers and live their lives at sea, much the same way shad, striped bass, and salmon do. Algae does help keep the water clean and it often is unsightly. Reusing tank water is important because fish need a certain amount of bacteria in order to survive and reuse helps with bacteria levels. Consider getting your tank a cleaning crew. These items can be purchased at your local grocery and pet store. If it becomes too dirty, rinse the brush with tap water and continue scrubbing. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. How to Clean the Fish Snip the gill where it meets the lower jaw. Turn on all of the devices so that the water can move around, and wait 30-60 minutes for the water to adjust. This type of cleaning should be repeated whenever algae is noticeable. What size filter is needed for a fish tank? Cleaning the Inside Glass. In order to clean the decorative pieces, use the toothbrush to scrub each piece clean. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. One Nerite Snail can keep the glass of a 5 gallon tank clean and can clean decorations. c. Make a downward cut that is about 1/2 of an inch deep or half the width of the fish. Fresh water in the quantity you want to replace, Aquarium-safe glass cleaner or a vinegar-based solution. Make sure the bucket is very clean, as even minute traces of chemical residue can harm fish, according to Fish Tank Club.A bucket or container that has been dedicated exclusively for use by your fish since it was new is the safest option. Once all of the water is poured, add two drops of tap water dechlorinator. Again, be careful not to let any pebbles fall into your sink.