My fish tank has so much poop in it. I did the siphon thing today and it is still horrible. Help!!!???

Question

I tried siphon and water changes. I really need a cheap way to really clean it WITHOUT changing all the water and having to take the fish out and scrub it. Something that costs less than $10.00 and can be used over and over again. PLEASE, FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING ONLY!

Hey Lyndee, I have 2 suckerfish in with 4 other fish. They won't do the job!

Answer 1

There is a very easy way. It is called a gravel vaccum. DO NOT DUMP OUT ALL THE WATER. This and scrubbing will kill off any beneficial bacteria, so invisible waste will kill your fish. I would also say that you should get another filter

Answer 2

You don't have to do a complete water change all at once, just change some of the water every day or every other day (replace about a quarter of the tank at a time).

Don't know how you're using the siphon but if you're just holding it in the water or dangling it over the side of the tank then try using it like a suction to suck up the poop from the bottom of the tank.

If you don't already have a water filter then get one of these, they'll be more than $10 but they're not that much. Also put some 'cleaner fish' in (can't remember what they're called, begins with R I think) ask for 'cleaner fish' at the aquatics store and they'll know what you mean, get some aquatic plants as well. These won't get rid of the poop but they'll help keep the water and the tank clean.

Answer 3

Well try to siphon the tank at least once a week if it is a 10 or 20 gallon. Buy a pleco (sucker fish ) or a few cories. The both of them are bottom feeders. They will help some. This also might be extra food that the fish did not eat so watch how much you feed them. See if the filter cartridge needs to be change. Also make sure that the filter is the right size for your tank.

Answer 4

What kind of fish do you have? Gold fish or what? If you have gold fish, you might want to buy yourself one or two albino cat fish. My mother has gold fish and a cat fish. The cat fish is all white and is an albino. He looks like a midget cat fish and won't get large. This fish feed on poop. But you still have to clean out your tank too. I take it you don't have any filters or other things either that can help you out in this chore? Perhaps you should invest in getting a filter, they are pricey but worth it.

Good luck to you and I hope I was some what helpful!

Answer 5

You might be feeding them too much. Siphon water out everyday untill it is clean. Then keep it clean by siphoning the poop out 2-3 times a week.

Answer 6

get a gravel vacuum. and get 2 or more scavenger`s for a small fish tank a 2-5 gallon. and get 4-5 for 10 gallon. and more for a bigger tank. and they will help keep the tank clean. but you will have to change the water every 4-5 month`s. and clean the inside`s of the tank .

Answer 7

I have snails and they do that, but it floats. If it floats, just take you net every cuple of day and catch it. The only way for stuff like that not to happen is buy a really expensive filter. The ones you get from petsmart and wal mart are cheap, but if you catch stuff with your net it will work.

Answer 8

"I want a way to make excrement magically disappear because, as a pet owner for a FISH, I am too lazy to bother giving it a few minutes properly from my day," is pretty much all you're saying.

The work will do you good. If you didn't want to clean up after a pet, you really shouldn't have gotten a fish at all. Perhaps a desert plant is more in your area.

Answer 9

my opinion is you shouldn't have a fish tank if you're not willing to take care of it properly. you really need to take the fish out and give it a good scrub down.

Answer 10

honestly, no other way except for what you said. dump out the water and scrub. put your elbow into it.