How to Clean a Fish Tank With a Suction Hose

Suction hoses allow fish tank owners to clean out the debris at the bottom of the tank that is mixed in with the gravel. The suction hose will move the water out of the tank so the fish tank owner can put new, clean water into the tank. Owners typically perform a water change about once every week or two, depending on how much leftover food, dirt and debris are in the tank's water.

Things You'll Need

  • Suction hose
  • Large bucket
  • Clean rag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the suction hose to ensure there is nothing stuck in it to prevent water from getting sucked out. The suction hose should be clear of dirt when you place it in the fish tank.

    • 2

      Place the larger end of the suction hose into the fish tank until the mouth of the hose hits the gravel in the fish tank. Drape the hose over the tank and place the bucket on the floor nearby. Hold the hose on the bottom of the tank while you are sucking out the dirt and the water so that it doesn't float up away from the gravel.

    • 3

      Wrap your hand around the end of the hose that is not in the water and block the air out of the hose. Move the hose around in the water to start the suction process. The water will start to come up through the hose. Place the end of the hose that is outside the tank into the bucket.

    • 4

      Watch as the water enters the bucket to ensure that you do not remove too much or that the water does not overflow the bucket. Move the end of the hose that is in the water around with one hand to get any dirty particles out from the bottom of the tank. Remove about one-half to two-thirds of the water from the fish tank.

    • 5

      Lift the end of the hose that is in the bucket high up into the air with the end pointing up. Once the end of the hose that was in the bucket is above the tank, the water will stop flowing out of the suction hose. Remove the suction hose from the tank.