How to Clean a Fish Tank With a Live Plant-Growing Substrate

Live plant substrate aquariums cater to live plants because of the additional nutrients the plants need to grow. Because the substrate contains metals, the approach to cleaning the aquarium must be different than if you had gravel or sand substrate. Proper cleaning will prevent glass and plant damage.

  1. Cleaning Glass

    • While you can use floating magnetic aquarium cleaners for gravel and substrate aquariums, doing so with plant substrate aquariums can result in scratches along the inside of your glass. Instead use aquarium scrub cleaners on the interior glass, scrubbing away dirt and algae. For the exterior glass, use a white cloth and 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar mixed with 1/2 gallon distilled water. You may also use aquarium-safe glass cleaner, but only for the exterior glass.

    Cleaning Substrate

    • A standard gravel vacuum is used in plant substrate aquariums, but great care is needed so you don't disturb the roots. For areas that are planted heavily, hover slightly above the substrate. Don't allow the vacuum to make contact with the substrate. For more open areas you may insert the vacuum slightly into the substrate to suck up the dirt, debris and waste. Remove no more than 20 percent of the water each week. A large water change can shock fish. Water that's being put back into the tank must be same temperature as the water in the tank. The added water must also be dechlorinated with water conditioner.

    Cleaning Filter

    • Cleaning the filter is easier and less time consuming than cleaning substrate and glass. Unplug the filter and remove it from the fish tank. Disassemble your filter and rinse each part with aquarium water. If you use activated carbon, replace it once per month. If you see filter media, such as foam pads and ceramic rings, that appears to be falling apart, change those also. Only replace filter media if it truly looks like it's damaged and falling apart. You do not want to replace those parts every month, as that's where beneficial bacteria colonies live.

    Cleaning Live Plants

    • Live plants typically do not need to be cleaned unless they are covered in algae. If algae is lightly covering the plants, scrub it off with your fingers. If your plants are heavily covered, remove them and place them in a mixture that contains one part bleach to 20 parts water. Remove the plants after about one minute and soak them in dechlorinated water for 15 to 20 minutes. You may then place the plants back into your aquarium. Cleaning the plants will not remedy the algae problem in your aquarium. Your best option is to purchase algae-eating snails, fish or shrimp, such as nerite snails and ottos.