Clean That Aquarium
Cleaning your aquarium is perhaps the most important element in caring for fish . If the aquarium is not regularly cleaned , the fish will get sick due to the amount of algae and bacteria that will build up in the water. Cleaning out the tank every other week will ensure the well being of the fish inside and will keep them healthy for a long time.
Never remove all the water from a tank. Turn off the filtration system and begin to siphon water from the bottom of the tank. Since most algae growth occurs on the sides and on the bottom of the tank, using a siphon system that can be purchased from a pet store will remove algae but not the rocks or fish. Removing algae involves scrapping the sides of the tank with a scrapper or razor blade. Don’t use any harsh chemicals as they can harm the fish. It can take a while to scrap all the algae off the tank. Once this has been done, remove more water until there is only half a tank of water left.
Next, clean the filtration system. Wipe the insides of all the parts and remove dead plants and algae from the catches in the filter. This will help when refilling the water to prevent debris from returning to the tank. Thoroughly cleaning every part of the filter and tank will greatly improve the quality of the water. Refill the tank and turn on the filtration system again. The tank should be cleaned again in about two weeks.
Depending on the age of the tank and the filtration system, cleaning times for the tank will vary. In older tanks, cleaning less will preserve good bacteria that eliminate waste and kill germs in the water. This type of build-up will only occur in older tanks. This is why it is recommended that only half the water in the tank be removed when cleaning. This will help preserve the good bacteria in the tank.
Cleaning the fish tank when recommended is essential. When tank is clean, fish are healthier. To keep fish alive longer, it makes sense to clean the tank regularly. When a fish owner places live plants in the tank, these plants will eventually lose leaves which will start to decay either on the tank floor or in the filtration system. Blockages caused by decaying plants could cause the filtration system to malfunction. Cleaning it out every two weeks will help it work better.
If you want to have healthy fish living longer then you must undertake the maintenance required, despite the fact that it may be a little messy and time consuming.
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