HELP! what is the best way to clean my fresh water aquarium without killing my fish?

Question

I have bottom tank filters and 2 filters above and my tank still gets dirty. Should I get some algae eaters?

Answer 1

Is there a reason that you have 3 filters? You should just have one proper sized filter.

Also, the bottom tank filter, called Under Gravel Filters, are inefficient. The idea is that they pull all the gunk into the gravel where it can biodegrade. Realistically, though, there is just too much gunk (uneaten food, poop) to biodegrade, and eventually you get a bacterial bloom.
Instead of having three filters - and your UGF is working AGAINST your HOB (waterfall) filter, by the way - you should get one appropriately sized HOB (waterfall) filter, rated for 20 gallons more than whatever size your tank is.

You didn't mention how big your tank is or what fish you have. If your tank is getting dirty, you either have too many fish, you aren't cleaning enough, or you're feeding too much.
Research the different types of fish you have to ensure that your tank is big enough for them. You might be surprised at how much room certain fish need - like goldfish, for example, who need 15 or more gallons of water per fish.
You should be replacing about 30% of your water each week. Use a syphon tube, and suck 30% of the water (get good into the gravel, too) into the bucket, and refill with fresh dechlor water. Make sure the bucket has never had cleaning products in it. You can leave your fish in the water, and it should not hurt them; just make sure that the new water is the same temp as the old water.
Overfeeding is something that all of us do, more or less. Ignore the puppy eyes and feed only twice per day, and only what they can eat in 30-60 seconds.

Don't get any algae eaters. Some algae eaters will nibble on algae, but all of them need to be fed (pellets, wafers, veggies etc) and they are all poop machines. They can help tidy up the surface of the gravel, yes, but they cause a lot of mess, too.

Answer 2

Noooo... Algae eaters are one of the messiest fish available.

I would suggest getting rid of the undergravel filter because your 2 hanging filters is all you need, and UGF's, while good for biological filtration, actually make aquariums dirtier by sucking all of the crud deep into the substrate.

The best way to clean your aquarium at this point is slowly. Do partial water changes every week, and each time vaccum a portion of the gravel. Scrub the glass to remove algae before doing the water change, and remove and scrub any ornaments and decorations that need it. Never tear down the tank and completely clean it unless you have no other alternative.

If your tank gets dirtier faster then you can clean it and you are convinced you are cleaning it what should be often enough, then make sure you tank is not overstocked, and make sure you are not overfeeding (the single most popular problem with fish keepers, especially new ones).

Answer 3

What size tank, what size filters, how many/what kind of fish?

Algae eaters will only make things worse. Yes, they clean algae, but they eat, therefore they poop, whick will only contribute to poor water quality.

With that much filtration(assuming the filters are rated for your tank) there should be no problems. The only reason there would be a problem is you are doing something wrong. Make sure you vacuum the gravel, and change at least 25% of the water every week. Make sure you are not overfeeding. Make sure the filters are clean and working properly.

Answer 4

What do you mean dirty? If there's algae, algae eaters will help somewhat but you still need to scrape the glass. If you have undergravel filters, they need to be taken out and cleaned occasionally. If your water is dirty, do you have too many fish or are you over-feeding? Do you do regular partial water changes? Algae eaters will only help eat some of the algae. Do you have cat fish in there that will eat food that falls to the bottom?

Answer 5

What do you mean by dirty?

You should be changing 10-20% of the water weekly and during this process you want to use a gravel vaccuum to suck out the "gunk" at the bottom of the tank.


If you mean algae on the glass/rocks then the tank is likely getting too much light. If it is only algae then getting algae eating fish such as ottos will help the situation.

Answer 6

TRy a python water cleaner. It helps you tranmet lots of water and does not detrub fish

Answer 7

The best way is to use a new sponge w/scrubber for the sides. Placo's will do a good job, as well as snails, but you should only have one.

Answer 8

describe dirty

if you have 4 filters they must not be working, or they are TOO small for your environment

Answer 9

yes