How often should I clean a 3 gallon tank?

Question

I have tried once a week and it is just become ammonia free on Sunday after I thought it finally completed the cycle. So, now, I measured it and the ammonia is rising again. I was thinking of doing a water change in a few minutes because my fish has been sitting on the bottom all night.

I have a two betta, each in his own filtered tank with carbon filter. But, that ammonia is rising.

I didn't know about cycling and I put the fish in there around Memorial day. I thought the cycle was over on Sunday when both tanks finally showed no ammonia on a liquid test.

Answer 1

There's not easy way to answer your question, since it will depend in part on the number and size of fish, and how much you feed them.

Since your tank is still in the cycling process (and will be for a while yet - it's not over untill both the ammonia and nitrte are zero on a consistant basis), you should be doing at least a 25% change once a week, but possibly two 15-20% changes a week might work better for you. And it's not unusual yo see small fluctuations caused by water changes, adding a new fish or having one die, or when you test your water in relationship to feeding/water changes (if you test one day after one time, then two days after the next, the ammonia might be higher the second time you test).

An alternative method is to test your water fairly often, and do a change when the ammonia reaches a certain level (I usually use 0.5ppm, as this is when it begins stressing fish).

Another possible solution is how you're cleaning - do you clean the filter media by rinsing it under tap water (where the chlorine kills the bacteria)? You might set aside a container of dechlorinated water, or some water from the tank and squeeze out the media a few time in that - it will keep more of the bacteria alive, and you can reuse the filter. Also, don't try to clean all the gravel during each cleaning - only get what's lying on the top, and clean deeply into about 1/2 and switch sides each time.

Answer 2

When ammonia goes away, you still have to worry about nitrite and even nitrate. The dissappearance of ammonia in no way means that your tank is cycled. You didn't say what procedures you do to clean your tank. Are you just removing 25-50% or are you taking all the water out and replacing? You should only be taking about 25-50%, siphoning the gravel as you remove water. Taking out all the water will make your tank start to recycle again. Bettas will sit on the bottom of the tank often. Their metabolism is very low for a fish, and they don't do a whole lot of distance swimming. Go very light on the food, only remove part of the water, and do a full water test to determine when cycling is over.

Answer 3

How many fish, what type(s) and did you cycle the tank? Usually, if you only have one or two fish in there, cleaning once a week with 1/3-1/2 water change is fine. But if your tank is still cycling, you'll have to do daily water changes just to keep the ammonia levels down.

Answer 4

Ok....

First of all, like already suggested, get a filter. Without it, you will be doing water changes daily. A small one shouln't cost more than 20 dollars, and it will be worth every penny.

Second, without a filter, you need to be changing the water, not nessicarily cleaning, but changing the water every other day. Use a gravel vaccuum and suck out half of the water, *eyeball it, just half of the tank* and then replace with dechlorinated water which is as close to the tank temp as possible.

With the filter, you can get away with doing water changes once a week. I have a 29 gallon tank, which is rather understocked, with an aquaclear 20-30 HOB and an Eheim 2232 cannister filter, so in reality, I only need to do bimonthly water changes, but I change about 40% of the water weekly. It doesn't hurt the tank, as it replaces the tank water with oxygenated water.

Your bettas will live a long and healthy life if you maintain good water peramiters. I am proud of you that you have taken the initiative and purchased liquid test kits... they are far more reliable.

Good Luck

Answer 5

i clean the fish tank when i cant see the fish anymore......lol well you you have goldfish then you probably will need to clean it once a week because they create so much ammonia but with other tropical fish as long as the water s clear and the ph is testing out ok you can go for months

Answer 6

you can do once a week but the norm is 20% once a month. The ammonia may be rising because you are over feeding or you added more fish. Try adding a bacteria starter such as Seachem Stability, or Hagen Cycle, Also you might want to add Seachem Prime to detoxify your tank water.

Answer 7

It could be a number of things. I would try taking out any plastic decorations you may have then clean it again, you may have a algae that you cant see. I would go to your local Pet Store and ask them. Most of the time they are knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions.

Answer 8

With no filtration?
Every other day.

Get a filter. They make them super small now.

Answer 9

every week,so you wont get the nasty green stuff in inside