how do i clean my tank?

Question

ive just started up a aquarium, i dont know much about this kind of thing. i have a 3foot tank, and its been set up for about 3weeks now. the water isnt dirty or anythink. but i was wondering when i shud do the first change? also how do i do it?
ive heard ppl say do a 10-30% change but how much is that?
is it ok if i fill a bucket that i bought for my aquarium only leave it over night so that it reaches room temp, add some water conditioner then put it in my tank??
and just do that every week?
also my platie is pregnant and all i have in my tank is a big artificial moss ball a big piece of bogwood and sum rocks and tall plants, do you think there is anough hiding places for the fry?? thanks in advance

Answer 1

First an easy way to tell the percentages of water in a tank is to simply measured in inches. IE in a 10 gallon tank 4 inches of water is 25%. It sounds to me like you have either a 29 gallon or a 20 long, if it's a 29 gallon tank 5 to 6 inches of water would be 20%, if it's a 20 long 4 inches of water would be about 20%.

Yes letting the water sit overnight in the bucket, and using water conditioner is fine. I actually use an old water bottle from the water cooler at work. This way I always have 5 gallons of clean freshwater ready to go.

Your water change should be done every week. Starting right now. Even in a brand new aquarium that has only been running for a week or so you take a chance of ammonia buildup.

I'm assuming you have a filter that hangs on the back of the tank. Depending on the number of fish you have the filter cartridge should be changed once a month. More frequently if you have a lot of fish, or you start to notice that fishy smell. Just keep in mind that all aquariums that are running properly do have a slight earthy smell but you have to be right over the water to smell it. Believe me you'll soon and know the difference between a healthy earthy smell, and the oh my god the fish sitter didn't clean the tank while we're on vacation fishy smell of a dirty tank. LMFAO!!!

As for the babies, most pet stores sell baby grass. It's an artificial plant that does look like regular grass, and it gives the fry plenty of places to hide. I suggest getting a sheet of this it usually comes in 5 inch squares, and can be rooted in the gravel, or allowed to float at the surface depending on the babies.

Good luck.
E.

Answer 2

Do you have an undergravel filter? That is a plastic plate beneath the gravel with a pipe coming out of it that you hook an airpump or powerhead to.

If you do, you shouldn't clean the tank at all until 6 weeks after you get your fish in the water EVEN IF THE WATER GETS CLOUDY. Only feed your fish once per day during this time, which is called a "Cycle" (for the nitrogen cyle that is being established in the tank.)

After that, get a tank vacuum, which is available at any fish store and is basically a plastic siphon. Put the vaccuum in the gravel and move it around, sucking out the muck, until you drain about 25% of the water. Use a glass cleaning pad (or acryllic if you have that type of tank) to get the algae off the sides. It sounds complicated but it's really not and should only take about 20 minutes altogether.

Thereafter, clean your tank about every 8 - 10 weeks. You can scrape algae as much as you'd like.

About twice a year I do a big 50% water change in my tank. Never more than that.

Have fun!

EDIT: don't get discouraged if you loose some fish while the tank is cycling. Don't replace them unless you get down to only one or two. Once the tank finishes the cylce, go ahead and get a few new fish that are compatible with your old ones.

Answer 3

You should get a gravel cleaner and use it to remove about 20% of the water once a week. To use the gravel cleaner you should put the whole thing in your tank and get it full of water then plug the end of the small hose and lift it out of the tank into your bucket then you can move the big end over the gravel and it should suck up any dirt particles that are in the gravel and remove some of your water.The first time I tried to use one I didn't have clue what I was doing but it isn't really that hard.It is fine to fill your bucket and leave it over night before you put it in.Make sure you unplug everything before you start.

Answer 4

Once a month. Change filters, air hose rocks, and 1 gallon of water. I would say every other month change 25% which would be like 3 gallons if you have a 10 gallon tank. Buy a gravel Siphon from the pet store and gravel siphon your gravel once a month. No you shouldnt fill a bucket of faucet water. Buy bottled water if you are unable to get a hold of treated water from an aquarium store. The bottled water still needs to be treated with conditioners and such.

Answer 5

do you have a fresh water or salt water aquarium? most fresh water aquariums need water change once a month. changing your water too often put too much stress on the fishes.

to change the water, unplug all electrical filter, pump and heater first so it won't run dry and burn when you siphon the water out (if you equipment above the water line). siphon out about 2 to 3 inches off the water from the top, and just fill it with your prepared fresh water afterward.

below is a link to a website where you can learn all about aquarium fishes. have fun!

Answer 6

im not sure how to clean the water but, to clean the inside of the glass you can get magnet things - you put one side of the magnet on the outside of the glass and the other side on the inside which has a little sponge attatched to it, so when you move the magnet on the inside the other magnet moves with it and cleans the inside of the glass.