Full Tank Cleaning

[Jozlyn]

I've read a few threads where people talk about major tank cleans, gravel and the like, do you take out all of the water? What do you do with the fish while you're doinhg this? How often do you have to do these "major" cleans? And how often do I have to clean the slime out of my tank? The invisible kind that you can feel but not see?

 

[stang1]

We leave the fish in when we do a big clean but others may remove them.
I empty about 30% of the water and remove most of the wood and ornaments. I use the water that I've took out to give the bits a good clean and make sure I gravel vac the whole tank.

 

[crazie.eddie]

You never want to clean out the slime. It's usually full of benificial bacteria and other stuff that other fish can feed on.

Many people have different definitions for full tank cleaning. You never want to take out the fish. People normally remove from 20% to 30% of the water and replacing it. When you replace the water, you should add dechlorinator, which would remove the chlorines/chloramines from your water supply. Prime is commonly used, becuase it also helps to bind with the ammonia (chloramine - chlorine = ammonia).

You can remove more than 30% IF and only IF the water comes from a container that has been stored for a few days, with dechlorinater and also heated. This way, there is not a big change in water parameters from the old and new water.

When performing a gravel cleaning, NEVER change the media in the filter the same day. This may disturb/remove too much benificial bacteria from your tank and cause a mini-cycle.

 

[Torrean]

I never do a full tank cleaning.

Generally you gravel vac half the tank each water change (once a week 10% of the water or once every other week 20% of the water). If you want to clean your decor I'd take out half of it at a water change and clean it then take the other half out at the next water change. clean the glass with an algae scrubber (or a credit card or a paper towel) and that's it. Full tank cleanings are IMHO not neccessary and risk causing a mini cycle. One way to gauge how often you need to do a water change is to test your nitrates. If they are over 60 then you need to do more frequent water changes. (some say over 40)

 

[stang1]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that we only do a big clean because our Plecos cause such a mess.
Most people tend to a general water change and quick clean on a weekly basis. We give ours a big clean every 3-4 weeks.

 

[Jozlyn]

Thanks everyone