Tank Cleaning

[shoshannah]

Hi, i've only cleaned out my tank once and that was after we had it for 3 weeks because i wanted to let the fish settle in. The previous owner cleaned it every fortnight i've read on here that the majority of the people clean theirs once a week. How often should i clean my tank, it measures: depth= 41cm    length= 79cm       width= 30cm. Thanks

 

[Fishmanic]

give it a good suction vacuum of the substrate and change out about 1/3 of the water once a week.   Clean out the filter compartment about once a month.  Only change about 1/4 of the media at a time to preserve beneficial bacteria.
 
Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?  Doing a cycle while having fish in the tank is not reccommended.

 

[Ninjouzata]

What fish are in the tank and how many of each? It's good to start at 25% weekly with vacuuming the substrate and whatnot. When you clean your filter media do it in old tank water.
You shouldn't need to change your media unless it's literally falling apart and when you do that do it a little at a time like FM said
 
If you don't know what cycling is THIS should help explain it. If you did not do that you may want to read THIS and THIS.

 

[shoshannah]

give it a good suction vacuum of the substrate and change out about 1/3 of the water once a week.   Clean out the filter compartment about once a month.  Only change about 1/4 of the media at a time to preserve beneficial bacteria.
 
Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?  Doing a cycle while having fish in the tank is not reccommended.
 
Thank you, sorry if this sounds very stupid but what is media? I need to get my mum to read the water cycling so that she will understand and help me. What do you put your fish in while cycling it? I'm worried i may stress them.

also the suction vacuum part do you mean just use the suction pump that empties the water from the tank?

What fish are in the tank and how many of each? It's good to start at 25% weekly with vacuuming the substrate and whatnot. When you clean your filter media do it in old tank water.
You shouldn't need to change your media unless it's literally falling apart and when you do that do it a little at a time like FM said

 
If you don't know what cycling is THIS should help explain it. If you did not do that you may want to read THIS and THIS.

Thank you for the links! I have 2 male guppies,2 female guppies ( i know i need more females we are going to get them soon, unfortunately the others died) 2 bristlenose plecos, 2 balloon mollies and 2 glass catfish.

 

[attibones]

If you've got a gravel vacuum, it should create a suction and then you hover it over your substrate to clean up the bottom of the tank. 
 
Also, the mollies and the cat fish are inappropriate for this size tank. If you can rehome them, your tank will benefit from it. Also be aware that keeping female guppies in the tank means plenty of babies.