I have a single goldfish and a few baby snails. I want to take the tank down and replace the rocks and scrub the glass clean (it's been a while since it has had a really good cleaning). There are a few of those fake plastic plants and they have a black goo substance on them. I have tried scrubbing with hot water but it hasn't helped. I also have algea on the side of the glass. My question is this, what if any, cleaning agents can I use that will help with the gunk and goo but not harm the fish?
2007-07-23 15:00:48 · 10 answers · asked by princessdf77 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I am afraid to get another fish, even a sucker fish, my current fish is nuts and kills other fish.
2007-07-23 15:19:54 · update #1
It's really not a good idea to remove and replace all the water in a tank. You will destroy the good bacteria that's growing in the tank and have a mini cycle. Also, removing the fish from the tank and then replacing them is stressful for them and stressing fish impairs their immune system and leaves openings for disease. It's much better to do more frequent, smaller water changes, like 20-25% once a week (for newer tanks) or once a month (for established, cycled tanks) and vacuum the gravel with a gravel siphon or a turkey baster if your tank is small.
However, if you are really disturbed by the condition of your fake plants and ornaments, you can take them out and scrub them with a mild solution of 10% bleach and water. If you have problems with hard water stains (these can make other things stick more) you can also use vinegar to scrub them. Just rinse them well with conditioned water before putting them back into the tank. I'd suggest you get a good algae scrubber from a pet store or your local fish store to scrub off the algae on the inside of the tank. Then just let it settle and siphon it up off the bottom.
Oh, and please don't listen to Kaori and get an Otocinclus catfish, they are very unsuitable to keep with goldfish! Not only are they warm water fish while goldfish are cold water fish, but they have been known to suck the slime coat from the sides of goldfish!
2007-07-23 15:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ghost Shrimp Fan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a toothbrush and some tap water. No soap or chemicals should be used because they are toxic to your fish. The "black goo" is algae. Just leave the tank in complete darkness for 4 days and feed half as much fish food as you normally would. Also, a gravel vacuum would help for weekly cleanings. Good luck!
Nosoop4u
2007-07-23 15:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER use cleaning agents. Good old scrubbing and water is the key. If you want... get some little algae eaters for the tank. Would help limit down on the amount of algae in there... and would add variety of life to the bowl. I have a 55 gallon fish tank, and it stays relatively clean due to the fact I have scavengers (catfish/crayfish) that clean most of the tank bottom, and algae eaters (plecos) that take care of the growing "green" that quickly forms after it is cleaned.
2007-07-23 15:12:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plz take in mind there is no fish that does the cleaning of the tank for you, there is a fish for special purpose like eating algae and eating the remaining food at the bottom of the tank, for that pleccs, cat-fish a, algae eaters and loaches may be considered. The cleaning of the tank will be always your task and responsibility.
2016-04-01 09:57:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is never a good idea to use any common soap in a fish tank. They leave harmful residue. I would recommend sea salt as a scrubbing agent and a good rinse afterwards.
2007-07-23 15:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by Jason C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If hot water really won't help with getting rid of dirty, use vinegar. No other cleaning agents are safe for your fish; tiny amounts of soap and bleach can kill instantly.
2007-07-23 23:45:58 · answer #6 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tooth brush some hot tap water that should work then after wards clean as often as can because that is why that goop got there most likley
2007-07-23 15:11:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can put the fish in a bowl of water from the tank and then you can clean the tank with soap and water and that will not harm the fish. then refill the tank with wter and let it sit for about an hour and then put you fish back in the tank.
2007-07-23 15:08:54 · answer #8 · answered by rcm69901994 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say the easiest way to clean it would be empty the tank and vinger and a tooth brush.
Sarah
2007-07-23 15:23:30 · answer #9 · answered by Sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont do any of that just buy a rock vak and a cople of octocinolus catfish it will be better
2007-07-23 15:12:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋