Cleaning 10 gal Tank?

Question

I'm cleaning out my tank it's 10gal.
I stired up the rocks (since I don't have a sifon) so it will go thru the filter.
Took out the rocks and have washed them with water then rinsed them in a bowl with an Alge & Baccteria tablet then rerinsed them in water again for good measure.
I going to keep rinsing out the filter cartridge untill the water gets clear again, then put in a new cartridge.
I also put in the tank an Alge & Baccteria tablet.
My water was very clear untill about a day ago, I guess it got extra dirty from the Food discs I put in it when I went away for a week.
How long does it take for the water to clear back up from black to clear?
And whats the best way to clean a tank?
My fish are very healthy, I hope this don't harm them.

Answer 1

1 A tank with an under gravel filter will help a lot
2 The stuff you clean out is actually good for your fish
3 Over feeding is the number one cause of a cloudy, dirty tank.
I have 4 tanks and I never have to take them apart to clean them. The water is crystal clear all the time. I do a partial water change 2 times a year and I don't have goldfish, they are very dirty. Good luck. I also have fish that are 5 and 6 years old so I am doing something right. My oldest was a iridescent shark who was 11.

Answer 2

Well, honestly, completely emptying out the gravel isn't the best idea. The aquarium, after time creates all the natural algae and such that a real lake will have. By removing all the gravel and cleaning it, you have removed all of that. Best way, is to buy a siphon..they are cheap, and drain about 1/2 to 2/3 of the water out, make sure that when you are siphoning, to get all the way through the gravel, to suck up all the excess food and fish waste, but it still leaves the "ecosystem" in tact.

Answer 3

I would replace the water, with same temp as what is in there, after bagging the fish in the old water. Then put the bag, with the fish, in the new water for an hour before releasing the fish. This is after cleaning the tank. You should look into getting snails and/or bottom feeder fish to clean most of the cleaning. Also get some real water plants to oxygenate the water.

Answer 4

i have a 55 gallon, i empty the water,then take out the gravel and wash it really good with really warm water,then wipe out the inside of the tank ( they have stuff you can get at pet store for the inside)also if you have any decorations clean them really good. a toothbrush or scrub brush both work pretty good. i know this sounds like alot of work ( it is for a big tank) but it is worth it to keep your fish healthy and alive hopes this works for you.

Answer 5

ideally, looking on how stocked the tank is, you will possibly desire to be doing 20-40% adjustments weekly to attempt against nitrate ranges. So in case you do 2 gallons a week, you will possibly desire to be high quality. in no way ever do a one hundred% water replace, as this might kill your organic and organic filter out. The rocks might desire to truly in no way might desire to be wiped sparkling, except you spot algae strengthen. if that's the case, sparkling them each 2-3 weeks (or till you may no longer stand the sight of the algae - algae does no longer something to harm your tank, it in basic terms seems gruesome). in case you have a HOB filter out, you may replace the medium each 3-4 months rather of each month as stated. in basic terms gently wash the filter out in used tank water till it starts off falling aside - the carbon truly in straightforward terms removes drugs and odors (which you will no longer have a topic with in case you do weekly water adjustments). when you consider that your tank is so new, take a pattern of your water on your interior sight puppy save the place you will possibly desire to purchase fish from and see in the event that they're going to attempt the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH ranges for you (they're going to oftentimes do it for unfastened) just to determine your tank is completely cycled. Ammonia and nitrite might desire to degree at 0ppm and nitrate at decrease than 40ppm (although decrease than 20ppm is right). EDIT: Oh..wait.. rocks... You advise the gravel on the backside of the tank? if so, use a gravel vacuum to bathe 50% of it a week. once you're conversing approximately ornamental rocks, then pay attention to what I initially stated.