What's the BEST way to WASH a Fish tank?

Question

Okay, lately when I've washed our 10 Gallon Fish tank I've used soap but is soap a mistake? And if so, why? I do rinse very well and I do it to try and keep the tank as clean and clear/beautiful as possible. If anyone can help me out it is greatly appreciated! God bless and thank you all very much! :)

Answer 1

you shouldn't wash it out at all unless there's been a terrible disease taking over the tank or all the fish have died and you're starting over.

however, the best way I've found to clean it is to use white vinegar and water. soap leave residue behind, even when you think you've cleaned it all off. however even if a bit of vinegar is left behind it won't hurt the fish (that's not saying dumping vinegar iny uor tank is okay, just if you miss a little while rinsing you aren't going to loose your fish).

Answer 2

It sounds like you tear down and wash your tank frequently. That is not a good idea. You should only tear down and wash a tank when there has been a serious problem such as disease.

I have tanks that have been set up for more than 6 years without a teardown. All you need to do is partial (25-30%) water changes once a week and siphon the gravel once a month. Fresh carbon in the filter once a month too (after the gravel siphon). This will keep your tank clean and clear and the fish healthy and happy for years.

Any kind of soap or detergent is bad for the fish. Even a small amount will leave traces in the tank no matter how good you think you have rinsed it. Soap will make a film on the top of the water that will cling to anything put in the tank... including food that the fish eat.

The best way to clean an empty tank is to use a wet paper towel and enough salt to make a paste on the towel. Then scrub the inside until clean. Rinse with water and you are ready to go. Any small salt residue left in there will not harm the fish, some even are helped by some salt in the water (do your research before just adding salt).

A brand new scrubby can be used to remove algae from the inside by hand and you don't need to remove the fish while you do it. Or, you could buy a long handled algae scrubber at the fish store.

If you absolutely must disinfect a tank after disease or parasitic infestation, the best way is to dump a cup of bleach per 10 gallons of water and run the filter to circulate it for 24 hours. Bleach will kill everything in the tank. Remove the fish first, of course.... Bad things can hide in the filter, so discard the carbon and cartridge. Rinse 3 times with water, using a chlorine remover at double strength each time and you are done.

Answer 3

I'm a novice at this myself, but when I clean the tank I've only been wiping it out with paper towels and then a good rinse.
I don't use any chemicals to clean the decorations or fake plants, but I wash those things off with a scrub brush.

I've also learned that when you add a chemical called Prime (its supposed to detox the water from ammonia and the nitrites) it will give a false reading if using test strips.

Algae is caused by light (artificial lighting as well) and I have a couple of algae eaters in there to help control that issue.

The only chemicals I use in my freshwater tank is the Water Conditioner (for chlorine) and freshwater salt. Fish and dwarf frogs seems content.

Answer 4

Soap is a no no! Leaves residue that is very hard to get rid of. Use hydrogen peroxide instead. It won't leave any trace, and even if some gets into the tank water it only adds oxygen. Sitting the tank in direct sunlight for a day or two will also kill all the microbes. You can also wash with just plain old hot water and elbow grease. But soap will harm your fish.

Answer 5

Soap is definitely a mistake - a trace of soap does horrible things to fish as it messes up the water's surface tension. If you have rinsed well enough that your fish have survived you are lucky. Most modern soaps leave a thin film on the item being washed.

The best thing to use is salt water and rinse well. Salt affects the PH but is not fatal to fish.

You shouldn't need to empty your tank completely if you do a partial water change every week. Condition 2 gallons of water (get the ph, temp and Chlorine right).
Clean out the tank with a tank siphon cleaner taking out 2 gallons and then replace the tank water with the conditioned water.
My tanks only get broken down every 5 years and scrubbed then with salty water.

Answer 6

DO NOT USE SOAP!!!! even thogh you rinse the tank thoroughly, there is always some soap residue on it, whih can be very harmful for your fish. use salt water to clean the tank, as salt is a natural cleaner. also, never change all of the water. leave a little bit of the old water to put in the tank. this water has beneficial bacteria, adn other stuff for your fish.

Answer 7

The BEST way to clean your fish tank/fish accessories is to use a scribby brush/pad and clean warm water only. Any soap residue left behind can harm your fish and plants. Dry with clean paper towels. Also, we use bottled drinking water to fill ours, but tap water is probably okay to use too. Hope this info helps and have a good day.

Answer 8

i might wash it out with warm faucet water, and you will ought to have the tank crammed up for a minimum of 24hrs in the previous You upload fish. determine you employ a chlorine remover, and upload 2 tea spoons of guy-made sea salt.

Answer 9

Hey, I own an aquarium maintenance company and cleaning aquariums is what I do... first of don't use any chemicals.... how to clean the tank would depend on what kind of filters you have on it but it should be something like this...
1.] 10-20% water change is about all you would want to do... using a hydro-vac to clean the gravel... (every other week)
2.] If the glass has algae and scum on it...(here's one of my secrets) the best that I have ever found is a Magic Eraser, by Mr Clean.... Shhhhhh don't tell anyone
3.] don't forget to clean the cover, lights, outside the tank and edge where fish food and other smelly things can build up.
4.] Remember to use dechlorinated water and try to keep it at the same temperature as the Aquariums water...
5.] if the plants and decorations are dirty you can take them out and clean them with bleach.... but remember it chlorine so rinse them well and air dry....

Good luck... and remember fish are are friends... NOT food!

Answer 10

I use soap too, you can add a couple teas. of bleach. That will kill bacteria. I rinse mine real well with the sink sprayer and hot water. cold is ok just be sure to get all the soap out. I have a 10 gal. too and a fish that will be 3 in nov.