Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Freshwater
- Siphon
- Gravel cleaner
- Thermometer
- Dechlorinator
Instructions
Remove the fish carefully from the tank and place them in a bucket that contains an equal parts mixture of freshwater and the old tank water.
Remove all artificial plants or extraneous decorations from the tank and place them in a separate bucket that is filled with fresh, clean water.
Turn off a pump if your tank has one and remove the tank̵7;s filter, which you can place in the bucket with the decorations and artificial plants in order to clean it.
Attach a siphon to a faucet, then use the siphon to insert gravel cleaner into the bottom of the tank.
Wait several minutes until all of the debris in the gravel gradually rises into the siphon. When the water begins to clear, and when the water level has dropped to between three-fourths to two-thirds of its starting level, pinch the siphon tubing to close the valve and allow the gravel to fall back down to the surface of the tank. Remove the tube once the gravel settles.
Take the water temperature in the tank.
Fill a bucket with tap water and make sure that the water that you fill into the bucket is as close to the temperature that is in the tank.
Add dechlorinator to the water bucket. The exact dosage will vary depending on the type of dechlorinator that you purchase, but you should expect to add approximately 1 to 2 drops per gallon of water.
Pour the water from the bucket back into the tank.
Return the artificial plants, decorations, filter and pump to the tank, then return the goldfish to their clean habitat.