How to Use a Shop Vacuum As an Aquarium Cleaner

Keeping your aquarium clean is vital to the health of your fish. Not to mention, a dirty tank is an eyesore in any room. Regular aquarium maintenance should involve only a 10 to 15 percent water change each week. However, if the aquarium has an excessive algea buildup on the sides, it may be time for a thorough cleansing. If this is the case, a shop vacuum with a pump feature will help accomplish the job with ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Shop Vac wet/dry pump vac
  • Garden hose
  • Gloves
  • Nylon brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the fish from the aquarium and place in another container for safety.

    • 2

      Put on gloves to protect hands from germs.

    • 3

      Remove any aquarium ornaments, such as trees or castles, from the tank and set aside.

    • 4

      Attach the vacuum hose to one side of the shop vacuum. Insert a garden hose into the valve on the opposite side of the vacuum. The water will be sucked up with the vacuum hose and simultaneously drained out of the vacuum with the garden hose.

    • 5

      Position the end of the garden hose in a place where you will not mind draining the aquarium water.

    • 6

      Scrub the sides of the tank with the nylon brush to release algea and other buildup.

    • 7

      Submerge the vacuum hose into the water and turn on the shop vacuum. The water will be sucked into the vacuum and pushed out into the garden hose to drain.

    • 8

      Refill the tank and treat as necessary before replacing fish into the tank.