Advice for Temporarily Moving Fish for a Tank Cleaning

Most fish tanks require cleaning by hand on a regular basis. Depending on the filtration system, cleanings may take place every week, month or less often. In order to keep pet fish safe while cleaning their tank, you will have to move them temporarily, which requires some equipment and a little advance planning.

  1. Preparation

    • Before moving fish and beginning to clean the tank, all supplies ought to be close at hand. Leaving the room for any amount of time while the fish are out of the tank can result in disaster. Have a large clean cup nearby, large enough to accommodate all of the fish. Some professionals recommend using airtight bags to keep fish during cleaning. To use this method, line up the large cup with the bag. Have twist ties or clothespins nearby to close bags later on. If some fish need to remain separated, such as fighting fish who live in a subdivided tank, use separate cups and bags. A small fish net is also key to have for the transfer process. Have a glass or large measuring cup close by to scoop tank water.

    Water Transfer

    • Scoop a bit of water out of the tank first, as little as possible to keep the fish swimming while you clean. Take care to use properly balanced water for the temporary bowls. Many fish tanks require distilled or treated water; make sure fish only come in contact with appropriate water during the cleaning. To avoid fish being exposed to dramatic temperature changes, opt for frequent changes of small amounts of water, rather than changing the entire tank at once.

    Netting

    • After preparing a temporary container with tank water or a combination of tank water and fresh water, carefully remove fish with a fish tank net and place them immediately in the bowl. Be very patient, as the fish will likely avoid being netted. You can make this process somewhat easier by draining half of the tank, as the shallower water will make getting the fish out much easier. Drain tank water into a bucket, not onto the ground or a sink, as you may have overlooked some fish.

    Reintroduction

    • To reintroduce fish to their tank after a cleaning, take time and care to avoid a temperature shock. Check that the temperature is within the acceptable range for your particular pets. Make sure bags are sealed at the tops, and place them in the freshly cleaned tank. This will allow the fish to further acclimate to the temperature of the new water. Let them swim in their bags, in the tank with the top knots held in place by the tank lid, for about 15 minutes. Carefully open the bags and let fish swim out into their newly clean home.