Another Tank Cleaning Day Complete!

[FishGuest5123]

Well, it’s Monday which means tank cleaning day. Started about 10:30 this morning and just finished. Cleaned a 55G, 45G, (2) 20G Long’s, (2) 10G, (1) 5 G and the 150G pond. This included making a couple of repairs, vacuuming substrate, cleaning filter media, adding Indian Almond Leaves and alder cones along with some brewed tannins to several tanks and then brewing up a new batch to refrigerate. My bettas colors look so much better since I started using the tannins and not just the leaves. Amazing! Does anyone else actually enjoy cleaning their tanks! I hate housework but love tank cleaning.

 

[Fishmanic]

While I don't hate cleaning the tanks, I can't say I enjoy it either. But I'm pretty quick doing tank water changes. For all 4 tanks, it takes maybe 40 minutes total including substrate vac, cleaning sponge filter (I dont clean the hob at the same time), changing 50 % of the water, and cleaning intake sponges. The python water changer makes things go pretty quickly. I do water changes about every 9 to 10 days. I did check the nitrates to make sure that time interval is ok.. Nitrate might go up to 10ppm before water change. My tanks are well planted.

I usually turn up the music while working. When doing a water change, I do a brief substrate vac, then rest the python tube in the tank at about mid level then sit back and watch the tank to make sure no fish gets sucked up into the tube. If they go near the tube, I tap the tank with a stick to make them back up. When refilling the tank, I add conditioner to the water and then add water while moving the tube all throughout the tank to distribute the conditioner. Then I rest the tube on the edge of the tank and sit back while the tank finishes filling. Works for me.

 

[FishGuest5123]

The big is tanks take me about 40 minutes each. Waiting for them to drain and refill is the hardest part. The pond doesn't Take long because I Trurn the frog spitter over the side of the pond and it drains pretty fast. Refilling it is another story. That’s when I get my phone and check TFF. I do take breaks in between but When I clean I scrape the sides, vac substrate, clean spots off of lid, etc.

 

[Fishmanic]

Having a sink with high water pressure helps lower drain and fill times.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I actually like cleaning tanks! My friends think I’m so weird!

 

[Back in the fold]

What I have now doesn't take long at all and I do like doing it. But I am a little bit lazy and in the past I've let it slide but not to the point of neglect. I'd rather watch TV.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I'd rather watch TV.

Same here, but I love my fish more!

 

[FishGuest5123]

I watch TV while doing it. I have had a couple of “oh shoot, cut off the water!” Lol!

 

[AbbeysDad]

Whew <g>

I tend to stagger my tank and culture chores over several days so it's about 2 hours a day or so.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Whew <g>

I tend to stagger my tank and culture chores over several days so it's about 2 hours a day or so.

That a good idea. Whenever I clean my tanks, it only takes me an hour or so, only because I have 4 tanks.

 

[Linda N]

I wish I could say I love cleaning the tanks but I do it anyway. It wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have rheumatoid arthritis. I only have 2 tanks - a 10 gallon and a 20 gallon - but moving the water cause a lot of pain and I can't do them both on the same day. I use gallon jugs to transport the water from the sink to the tanks and also use gallon jugs for the dirty water which I use to water outdoor plants. One time I did them both on the same day and couldn't use my right arm for a week after that so I won't be doing that again any time soon. It's the moving and lifting the jugs that causes the problem with my shoulders. I end up moving the full jugs a lot of times each.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Whew <g>

I tend to stagger my tank and culture chores over several days so it's about 2 hours a day or so.

I have to take grandkids to school 2 days a week and take my sister who had a stroke out one day a week so it’s easier for me to knock them all out at once. I guess it all depends on our schedules.

 

[AbbeysDad]

@Linda N - You need a Python like device for no more haulin water!.
@Deanasue - Everyday is Saturday <g>

 

[Colin_T]

I wish I could say I love cleaning the tanks but I do it anyway.

Get a large plastic container and put it near the tank. Fill the container with tap water and dechlorinate it. Aerate it.

Get a length of garden hose and connect your gravel cleaner to it. Run the hose out the door and gravel clean the tank water out the door onto the lawn.

Use a small water pump and some plastic hose to pump the dechlorinated water into the tanks.

No heavy lifting involved, just gravity to drain the tanks and a water pump to fill them.

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500grams (2 cups) of blueberries or any other purple fruits n vegs each day, and Flax Oil or fish oil help reduce inflammation in your body. Reducing foods that contain flour or sugar can help reduce inflammation in joints.

 

[FishGuest5123]

@Linda N - You need a Python like device for no more haulin water!.
@Deanasue - Everyday is Saturday <g>

I thought that when I retired but my kids interpreted it another way. 4 kids = 12 grandkids Always somebody needing something. It’s OK, every grandkid is so stinking cute that they make me laugh!