i would like to know what the best way of cleaning the gravel in my 15 gallon fishtank is.?

Question

is there a way of doing this without having to remove the fish from the tank and if so do i need any special equipment.

Answer 1

Ditto to a few others that gave the right answer; a gravel siphon is the only way to go. They are cheap and readily available at any pet store and clean the gravel as it removes some water from the tank. Use the siphon to clean the gravel as you remove about 25% of the water from the tank once a week. Replace the water with clean dechlorinated water and that all there is to it. That's really the best investment you'll ever make in tank cleaning gear!

MM

Answer 2

You should purchase a plastic pipe syphon with a wider plastic cup on the end which is used to "hoover" up the gravel with an amount of water.

The water passes to a bucket outside the tank and the heavier gravel swishes around and cleans, in the cup, before falling back into place on the floor of the tank.

It is very inexpensive to make or buy, very efficient and does not distress the fish at all.

Answer 3

you additionally can get 25 pound bags the generally rule is a pound consistent with gallon so which you will desire the two 15 5 pound bags or 3 25 pound bags. i'd say a 5 pound bag is around 6 or 7 dollars and a 25 pound bag is approximately 14 dollars

Answer 4

i used to empty tank from bottom.but when getting to very shallow water i empty the fish and water into a bucket.. then i boil the rocks. i used to do it once a year. it does need it. or just buy new rocks. many different ways to clean them. i think boiling is better. it seems to get all the algea and funky stuff that could cause infections and bacteria to harm the fish.

Answer 5

take the fish out dump the water and put gravel in a pot filled with clean water....rinse ther rocks with high pressure then boil the water that they are in (stir the rocks while boiling) remove the water , cool down the gravel and place back in tank.(best answer)

Answer 6

get a gravel syphon - its a tube looking thing.... it will suck up and poop etc in the gravel into a bucket.
they should only be a few dollars - ask your local petshop.

you dont need to remove the fish.... it doesnt disturb them much when you are using it.
.

Answer 7

you can get a gravel vac at any pet store and you only need a little one that will prob. cost like 6 bucks, have fun!

Answer 8

yes you need to take the fish out.
dump them in some big pots.
get a pressured water hose.
rinse off the rocks.
refill the tank.
put the fish back in.
volia.

Answer 9

Suck it up though a straw. ;^)