Can I wash my tank and the rocks in it with soap or just water?

Question

I have a betta fish.

Answer 1

No, do NOT wash the rocks in soap or anything but water.
I rinse mine in warm water, then put them in a bowl of "Bowl Buddies" they are Tablets that kill any kind of "Bacteria" that may be on the rocks after rinsing,
Then I rerinse them with warm water.

Answer 2

soap will kill the fish

There is no way to make sure that there is not a spec of soap left in the tank. Water works well, but make sure you leave 3/4 of the tank with the old water and clean. Otherwise this will shock the fish, giving you the same result.

Answer 3

I find it's best to put them in a strainer or colander and run them under running water while swishing them around with your hand for a minute. just enough to shake out the extra poop.

never use soap! if you really feel the need to use something more than water (not good unless there's been a disease) use vinegar.

although, I must say if you're get your betta the proper heated and filtered tank you wouldn't need to worry about cleaning the rocks at all :)

Answer 4

Just water only.

Soap leaves residue that will kill your fish. Nomatter how good you rince your asking for instant painfull death.

Now to help you with your cleaning. I would suggest if its really hard to clean you can dissolve some freshwater aquarium salt into a very hot maby boiling water and dump your rocks in it.

Use a rag to clean out your tank.

Never use soap, cleaners or any kind of detergent. Only stuff that can go into your aquarium water is safe to use to clean your things.

So if your thinking about cleaning with it first think, can I put this in my tank with my live fish?

Hope this helps

Answer 5

NO SOAP!! If they need to be scrubed them use salt. It is an abrasive and will do the job. Put salt on them and rub them around in your hands good. Remember to rinse them very very well if using table salt with idine in it.
What i do is do the salt thing rinse well and then put them in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Rinse them again. This kills everything on them.

Clean the tank with a clean rag. I use wash rags that are only for my tanks. I dont use laundry soap to wash them not dryer sheets. I boil them after i clean a tank. hang them to dry and store them in a zip lock bag.

Answer 6

NEVER USE SOAP!!! Anything you use will end up atleast partlly in the tank. Soap can easilly kill a fish, even a little bit of it will.

Answer 7

if you are performing desinfection, do not use soap but chloric (Cl) desinfectant, sanitiye equipment and decorations, wash with large ammount of fresh water, refill, enjoy.

if you are just cleaning up the tank, don't use soap, just water.

After a complete change of water, let it settle a bit, before you put fishes back into the tank. chcek the temperature,as well.

Answer 8

dont use soap to clean out your fish tank.... it can leave scum and residue that will end up in your water when you set it back up.... i always just use hot water and a clean rag/sponge.... hot water should kill off any bacterias on the glass....

Answer 9

Don't use soap. The residue will kill your fish. You can use salt if you need to scrub , then rinse thoroughly.

Answer 10

never use soap.soap will kill the fish because residue is left after cleaning out the tank.just use water.