Things You'll Need
- Magnetic algae scraper
- Siphon
- Aquarium cleaner
- Fish net
- Filtration system
Instructions
Remove the algae from the walls of your tank with a magnetic scraper, which can be used without putting your hand in the tank.
Remove 10 to 20 percent of the water in the tank with a siphon and replace it with clean tap water about once a week. Use the siphon to remove as much waste as you can from the plants and gravel in the tank.
Use an electric aquarium cleaner to vacuum up the remaining waste in the gravel at the bottom of the tank.
Remove any pieces of waste that were too large for the siphon or cleaner to pick up with a fish net and dispose of them.
Clean or replace the filtration system as needed. Many types of filters can be used, so follow the instructions that came with the filter you purchased.