How Do I clean the poop out of the fish tank?

Question

i have 2 small new comets, and i'm a beginner to this.. how do i clean the poop in the tank? i see a bit floating around sometimes... do i use some kind of equipment??

Answer 1

You have 2 fish that should be in a pond, not a tank. They may be small now, but these fish have the potential to get huge, well over 12". You need superior filtration, and at least a 50 gallon tank in order to care for these fish properly. And, not to be rude, but if you do not know how to clean the fish tank, how will you know how to properly care for these fish? You should have researched ANY fish PRIOR to purchasing. This is why fish die needlessly.

Here is what you need to siphon out the poop: http://www.aquarticles.com/images/Coleman/Coleman2_image005.jpg and that is not all that is involved.

If I were you, I would do as much research as possible about these fish and then see if you can possibly take them back to the store and exchange them for some other type of fish, like guppies.

Here is a link that will tell you how to properly clean a tank and another about goldfish in general:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_cleaning.html

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish_disease.html

Again, comets are best suited to ponds. A not well known fact is that the average lifespan for goldfish in the United States is 3 weeks.......yes, WEEKS, because they are able to sell these fish under the presumption that they can live in unfiltered fishbowls. Every time they sell one like this, they are sending a fish to its death, and they know it, but they still do it. It's sickening and should be outlawed.

A fish is a living creature, just like any other. You wouldn't buy any other animal without knowing how to care for it, and people shouldn't buy fish without knowing how to care for them either. It's a crying shame.

Please learn from this. If you like fish, you have the potential to become a good fish person. You just need to do some homework prior to undertaking such a large responsibility.

Good luck to you. I hope it all works out. ;o)

Answer 2

I'm a little disturbed by the answers that say the filter will "get it". The filter will "get it" out of sight,but it's still in the water column,and it's still just rotting crap. Filters are not magic,they only collect the stuff for you to get it out of the tank. The filter media should be rinsed in water taken from the tank once a week. This is to preserve the Nitrifying bacteria that digest the organic toxins produced in the water.
Now,to answer your question, a siphon is what you need. This will be a large rigid plastic tube with a hose attached. There are more elaborate set ups than this but if you have only one tank the simplest ones will be just fine. Do a little exploring around the pet stores,on your own and don't ask for advice or you could wind up with a $50.00 piece of equipment that won't do the job any better than a $9.00 one.

Answer 3

If your filter does not get it, you can get something called a siphon and it siphons out the poop from the rocks, which is where it will be comming from most likely, because it settles to the bottom. If you do the siphon, only change 25-50% of the water and make sure you add water conditioner (chlorine remover) after you are done. Depending on what type of fish you have, you may not need to worry about the poop in the tank. Because it just keeps the life cycle of the tank going. But if its too dirty then yes by all means change it. If you have an undergravel filter it will suck all the poop to the bottom and def. needs siphoned. If you have an above gravel suction filter then it should get most of it.

Answer 4

I had guppies for a LONG time finnaly a friend payed me for them and took them I found the best way to get poop that didn't get cleaned up from the filter was a turkey baster

dont use ANY "poop clean" chemicals it weakens your fish just take your turkey baster and be patient if you keep doing this like every other day it sheould clean up nicely
you'll never see poop again as long as you change you water 50% every week and turkey baster the tank should look amazing
I had problems with poop sticking to my aqua ornament but a gave it the boot and I didnt have that problem again

Answer 5

Get a gravel vacuum. They cost under $10 at your Local Fish Store and do a great job cleanin up the random fish poop that gathers in the gravel. The stuff floating around should either settle on the bottom or get sucked up in the filter.

Answer 6

How To Clean Fish Poop

Answer 7

Gravel vaccuum is correct. Filter only takes out some of it. It you see it floating use a net.

You will need to do water changes every month. You will need to change the filter pads every month. Please read up if you want your fish to live more than a few months.

Fish tanks are alot of work...You need supplies and a book on proper care.

Answer 8

A filter should remove the feacies but if there are alot you would be best using a siphon this will remove the feacies.

These can be bought at any pet store that sells fish equipent

Answer 9

Your filter should take care of most of it, also you can use a natural bacteria that will break down the waste.

Answer 10

Welll your suppose to clean the hole bowl once and a while like every 2 weeks or so