How Do I...

[bexyjane]

Whats the best way to clean my tank? I know i should take a quarter of the water out and replace weekly, but how often should I clean the gravel, filter etc?
Thanks
Bex

 

[PaulEbs]

the best way to do a water change, is to have some water pre-treated [de-chlorinated] ina bucket, and use that to top up the water you take out.

the best way to clean your filter media and sponge is to wash it and squeeze it in a bucket of water that has just come from your tank.

So the best way to do both together, would be to take a bucket of water out, clean your sponges in it, then replace with de-chlorinated water.

others should be able to help you a bit more on this subject...

 

[snowyangel]

A syphon is definitely the best cleaning tool, great for cleaning the gravel bed. You shouldn't just remove water with a bucket or whatever, the gravel needs to be syphoned through too.

 

[bexyjane]

A syphon is definitely the best cleaning tool, great for cleaning the gravel bed. You shouldn't just remove water with a bucket or whatever, the gravel needs to be syphoned through too.

Would i need to do that once a week to?

 

[Talz]

A syphon is definitely the best cleaning tool, great for cleaning the gravel bed. You shouldn't just remove water with a bucket or whatever, the gravel needs to be syphoned through too.

Would i need to do that once a week to?

The problame with this and almost everything in fish keeping is that it depends so mutch on what fish you have, what substrate, and the size of the tank so without more info I cant tell you EXACTLY how often to do yours but I do my 77 gal about once every 2-4 weeks, usally 2 both water and gravel although I really dont need to and could probably let it sit for way longer it just keeps things cleaner that way! I never take out more then 25% though.

P.S: could you give somemore info on your tank so I could help more directly?

 

[bexyjane]

A syphon is definitely the best cleaning tool, great for cleaning the gravel bed. You shouldn't just remove water with a bucket or whatever, the gravel needs to be syphoned through too.

Would i need to do that once a week to?

The problame with this and almost everything in fish keeping is that it depends so mutch on what fish you have, what substrate, and the size of the tank so without more info I cant tell you EXACTLY how often to do yours but I do my 77 gal about once every 2-4 weeks, usally 2 both water and gravel although I really dont need to and could probably let it sit for way longer it just keeps things cleaner that way! I never take out more then 25% though.

P.S: could you give somemore info on your tank so I could help more directly?

i have a 96 ltre tank, currently dtocked with no fish, trying to decide what i want atm, but for a first tropical tank i think id be best off with a communtiy tank
thanks bex

 

[snowyangel]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

 

[mark.w.jones]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

 

[bexyjane]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Thanks for all your help that brilliant!! only thing is the link doesn't work do you complete water tests on your tank as well, how often do you do those?
How bigs your tank? What fish do you keep?
Thanks for all your help
Bex

 

[Talz]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Crazy dude, thats alot to have to do every week

 

[bexyjane]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Crazy dude, thats alot to have to do every week

What do you do weekly?

 

[Talz]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Crazy dude, thats alot to have to do every week

What do you do weekly?

Weekly? nothing I do a gravel cleaning every 2 weeks plus a 25% water change and I try to scrape any algea off the tank glass that the eaters miss. It is important to note that I have a 77gal and the bigger the tank the less frequent things need to be cleaned, largly because there is more water and so it keeps the bad stuff at bay alot longer, dose that make any sence?

 

[bexyjane]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Crazy dude, thats alot to have to do every week

What do you do weekly?

Weekly? nothing I do a gravel cleaning every 2 weeks plus a 25% water change and I try to scrape any algea off the tank glass that the eaters miss. It is important to note that I have a 77gal and the bigger the tank the less frequent things need to be cleaned, largly because there is more water and so it keeps the bad stuff at bay alot longer, dose that make any sence?

Yeah it does thanks. mines a 96 litre, how many gallons would that make it?

 

[Talz]

Everytime i do a water change i syphon in the gravel, thats where a majority of debris hides. Once a month i clean the filters(or sooner if its not acting 100%). Since you have no fish, you don't need to do much upkeep b/c there's no fish. I'm assuming you're doing the cycling process now?

I clean my tank out weekly but then it's small and more prone to water quality issues. You may get away with a good clean fortnightly and water changes weekly.

My Maintainance Routine Weekly:

1. Switch off filter.
2. Remove large rocks / logs
3. Trim plants.
4. Siphon gravel + remove 20% of water with one of these.

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

Keep this water in bucket for cleaning filter wool and sponges.

5. Squeeze out filter wool in old tank water.
6. Clean off worst of algae on glass and other bits, spray bar etc. with algae scaper.
7. Kill as many snails as possible.
8. Replace anything removed earlier.
9. Replace water with dechlorinated tap water. To warm this up either stick a spare heater in a bucket a few hours b4, microwave 3l sqaush bottles to warm your cold up or possibly add water boiled in kettle to cold to bring the temp up. (be aware of limescale thou.)
10. Clean evaportaion cover below tank light.
11. Clean outside of tank.

MONTHLY
1. Squeeze out filter sponge in old tank water.
2. Add liquid plant fertilizer.
3. More thorough clean.

EVERY 3 - 4 MONTHS
1. Take apart as much of filter as possible and clean thoroughly with old tank water.

Only replace filter sponges and wool if they are falling apart and even then only replace a third or so at a time and leave for a week or so before adding more.

Hope that helps. Lengthier than I was expecting



ps Please fishless cycle your tank b4 adding fish. Follow link in sig.

Crazy dude, thats alot to have to do every week

What do you do weekly?

Weekly? nothing I do a gravel cleaning every 2 weeks plus a 25% water change and I try to scrape any algea off the tank glass that the eaters miss. It is important to note that I have a 77gal and the bigger the tank the less frequent things need to be cleaned, largly because there is more water and so it keeps the bad stuff at bay alot longer, dose that make any sence?

Yeah it does thanks. mines a 96 litre, how many gallons would that make it?

To be honest I dont know how to convert litres into gallons can someone help with this?

 

[mark.w.jones]

This website lets you convert volumes:

http/mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/converter.html

The fishless cycling link in my signature seems to be fine. This is the link thou:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...3861&hl=methods

Good luck

ps. Just a little tip to stop other members getting irritated by your posts. Delete all the crap that gets put in the reply box before you write your reply unless you really need to quote it in you answer. Saves space on board and I have seen certain members get rather grumpy about it.