Cleaning The Tank

[EasterIslandMan]

Hey all,

I have a ten gallon tank, and it is very dirty, I do not have a gravel vacuum. What I usually do is put my fish into another aquarium and literally take the tank apart cleaning it. Is this a bad idea, it is what I have done for a long time, but does this make the water cycle start all over again? I use all new tap water and then I condition it. If this is a bad idea, what other options do I have?

Thanks in advance for all help.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

stage 1 clean out your filter two days before cleaning the tank

What you need to do is get a big bucket and a amall buket and fill that full of water. leave the water for two days then try to keep it as close to room temprature. in the two days the chloarene will evaporate.

when you come to changing the water take a small buket and clean the gravel but not extramly clean it.

empty your tank and then place in the new water. place in the gravel, and place the heater and filter. do not clean the filter as this will hold enough bacteria from the last two days to keep the tank turned over.

 

[oneponygirl]

Is there something keeping you from getting a vaccum? Just curious? My LFS has vaccums for around $7. It seems like a lot of work to do it otherwise but so easy to just vaccum a bit and replace the water and you don't have to worry about your tank having to cycle again.

 

[EasterIslandMan]

I am planning on buying one, I just don't have the time to get to a shop (I don't have a car) between the time that I need to clean my tank. I have that "stress coat" chemical, that says that it takes care of the chlorine, do I still need to leave out the water for two days? Also, how do I clean the gravel with "really cleaning it?" I usually take a strainer and clean it pretty well. I know I am a cheapskate, but I have a really limited budget. Thanks for all of your replies!

 

[oneponygirl]

You shouldn't have to let it sit for two days if you use a water treatment. Long enough to let the temperature settle and too make sure oxygen bubbles have time to dissipate (as I was told that if oxygen bubbles get on your fish it can actually burn them - maybe someone can verify that).

You don't want to wash the gravel too much because then you're washing all your bacteria away too. So I would think nothing more than a light rinse as long as the gravel's not too grungy.

 

[EasterIslandMan]

I will do as you say! Thank you!

 

[sally2]

Is there something keeping you from getting a vaccum? Just curious? My LFS has vaccums for around $7. It seems like a lot of work to do it otherwise but so easy to just vaccum a bit and replace the water and you don't have to worry about your tank having to cycle again.

HI could anyone recommend a good tank vaccuum?

I'm from uk - I'm not sure of good brands or where to buy.

thanks

 

[oneponygirl]

I don't know about brands. I know some people rave about the ones that attach to your sink but that won't work for me as I don't have a sink anywhere near my tank. I've been using just a regular ol' cheap kind that has a bit of plastic pipe attached to plastic tubing and it works great. A friend of mine went even cheaper and just uses a length of the tubing but I have live plants and sometimes need to suck up a bit that's fallen off or something so I like have the bigger pipe on the end.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I use the same type as oneponygirl; you can get them in any lfs.

 

[mark.w.jones]

You shouldn't have to let it sit for two days if you use a water treatment. Long enough to let the temperature settle and too make sure oxygen bubbles have time to dissipate (as I was told that if oxygen bubbles get on your fish it can actually burn them - maybe someone can verify that).

You don't want to wash the gravel too much because then you're washing all your bacteria away too. So I would think nothing more than a light rinse as long as the gravel's not too grungy.

Ive got an interpret one.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUARIUM-GRAVEL-CLEA...1QQcmdZViewItem

Comes in a couple of sizes so pick what's best for your tank.