I dont know how to do this!?

Question

I have a tank and it is starting to get dirty and I want to get it cleaned out but I don’t know how to. I have the cleaner and all the tools. But I don’t know what to do with my two glow fish. I have never cleaned the tank yet. I plan to replace the gravel and clean the tank “toys” or whatever you want to call those things in the tank. But anyways can anyone tell me what to do with the fish?/! Will they be ok in a little bowl for like two hours or any other ideas?

Answer 1

You can clean the fish tank with the fish in the tank. Use your gravel cleaner but be careful not to hurt the fish. Also clean the glass with a aquarium sponge.
You can remove the 'toys' and rinse them under hot water. Do not use soap or any cleaner. Then put them right back in.
Once you have finished cleaning the tank add the water (with the water conditioner) back in to fill up the tank.
You do not want to remove all of the water!

Answer 2

Don't change more than 30% of the water. Fish don't like a pristene environment. Use a gravel cleaner to clean the gravel while it is in the tank. Leave the fish in the tank. All your plants and toys can be washed in the sink (no soap).

When you refill your tank get some "Stress Coat" or "Ami-Qel" to add to the water. This will help add a protective layer to the fishes scales during the water change (and remove chlorine and other chemicals from your water).

Don't dur a complete scrubbing of the gravel, this will take away all the good bacteria in the water. Remember the natural environment of a fish is not perfectly clean. I usually only clean the gravel that is visible at the front of the tank (the front 40% of the tank). This allows the tank to appear clean, but gives the fish the needed natural environment

It can seem nerve-racking the first time you do this, but it is really easy and you will get use to it.

Answer 3

Okay, a lot of contridictory answers. Let me tell you what I do. I'm assuming that you have a freshwater set up. My large tank is a saltwater, but my feeder tank is fresh. Take the fish out of the tank ans put them in a bowl of the same water that in the tank. This will lessen the shock for them. Get a nice, clean, large glass bowl. It helps them to be able to see through and class doesn't hold onto and residual oils from prior usage. If you want to clean the whole set-up then siphon the water out of the tank, take the "toys" out and dump the gravel into a colander to rinse. Clean of the "toys", but don't use soap, then clean the glass using water only, no soap again. Dump the gravel back into the tank, put a little bit of dechlorinated water in the tank, place the "toys" then filler up. Test the water's chemicals, then once they are set and the temperature is right, place the fish back in the tank. In the mean time the fish will be fine in their bowl.
By the way, place something over the bowl so they don't jump out. Some turn suicidal.

You can do minor water changes to avoid doing the whole set-up a lot. Get a Gravel-Vacuum. Works great.

If you ahve any other questions, by all means e-mail.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

Most of the answers are great and correct but the bowl you decide to use to hold the fish while you clean the tank MUST be clear of any soap residue, don't use a plastic bowl use glass. If rinsing the "toys" and plants the feel slimmy, use aquarium salt as a scrubber {you can but this at a pet store} don't us table salt, it has a different sodium makeup} If the tank is heated, you'll need to be sure the new water is as close to the old water as you can. Be sure to add water conditioner to the new water in the tank, it helps with the slime coat on the fish { it keeps the healthy }. The best book I've read on aquariums is " The complete Idiots Guide to Aquariums " no, your not an idiot..it's just a great book.

Answer 5

1. you don't need to change the gravel, this can mess up the balance in your tank anyway.

2. you don't need to take the fish out. how long have you had this tank? if should be being cleaned once a week. how large is it?

what you need to do is the following:
a) unplug filters/heaters/lights
b) take out removeable decor like large rocks, bogwood, castles etc. and put to the side.
c) make sure your new water is ready to go, get this ready at least 2 hours prior to the tank clean, sitting in a bucket somewhere safe with dechlorinator, let it warm up to room temperature at least, dumping in cold water can shock your fish.
d) take your dirty water bucket and put it below the tank, take your syphon and hold near the end towards the gravel (so you can easily shoo away curious fishies!) and give it a good shake to start the vacuum. do not take your eyes off of it! remove about 25-30% of the water then take out the syphon.
e) carefully pour in your new water, replace the decor, turn the heater/filter back on.

and you're done.

this is how i do all 6 of my tanks every sunday. the only fish i take out are the bettas (scooped out in a plastic box, i NEVER net bettas, it can tear their fins) because they get a bit too curious...and bitey...and too slow to get of the way of the syphon hehe.

Answer 6

Best way to do it is to use a syphon and do a 50% water change since you have never done it before. you should not have to remove the gravel, the syphon works as a vacuum as you suck up the dirt out ot the gravel. you can leave the fish in the tank while you do this. (normally, 25% waters changes should be done every week or so)

you normally do not want to replace the gravel or 100% of the water when doing your regular cleanings because there are helpful bacteria that you want to keep to help maintan your tanks ecosystem ( unless you have extreme circumstances, diseases etc..)

Answer 7

yes get a big bowl of water and make sure its the same temp as in the tank or u will put them in sock and then they'll die but yes if u do it right they will be fine in a large bowl

Answer 8

Putting them in another water supply which is consistent with their clean living water needs, "like a large bowl that can support them in clean water" will be like the bag or box they came from the store in.

If your tap water is fresh enough use the cold water tap to fill a bowl to put them in.

Scoop them out with the net and drop them in the dish or bowl that is deep enough for them to be suspended in water and go ahead and clean the tank.

Answer 9

I was scared about taking my fish out. If you have a tool box clean it out and put them in it its fine. ya get used to it

Answer 10

Its a real process to do all that.
I would highly recommend you go to a FISH SHOP. not a petsmart or what ever and talk to them.
Buy a product to help the "fish" with shock and several strong plastic bags or buckets...talk to the fish guy.

It take more time then you think, the water must meet a certain Ph level and tempature to not Kill them in the clean water. Fish will be okay over night if enough water.