The Best Cycles for Cleaning a Tank

All aquariums require cleaning. Aquariums that are maintained on an ongoing basis remain healthy and are a delight to watch. This maintenance involves regular water changes, and cleaning of filter material and glass panes of the aquarium. Elements that have been depleted from the water also should be replaced during the cleaning schedule. Cleaning does not have to be a difficult task and the aquarist should use these opportunities to check that not only the water, but the equipment are fully functional and clean.

  1. Weekly Cleaning of Freshwater Tanks

    • Mechanical filter material, such as filter floss, removes debris and detritus from aquarium water. Decomposing vegetation and uneaten food also are physically trapped in this material. Although this waste can no longer be seen in the aquarium, it still can pollute the water unless it is removed completely. Therefore, filter floss should be rinsed out or replaced on a weekly basis. A 20 percent water change also should be done at this time. Water changes dilute the metabolic waste in the aquarium and add minerals that have been depleted during the previous week. The aquarium's glass panes also be can cleaned at this time, and cleaning magnets allow the aquarist to do so without getting their hands wet.

    Monthly Cleaning

    • The waste cup from marine protein skimmers must be emptied, and the neck section of the skimmer should be removed and cleaned. A protein-rich sludge builds up on the inside of these necks and hinders the function of the skimmer. The hobbyist can prune fresh water aquatic plants at this time as well, and remove leaves that have broken off these plants and are lying on the substrate. Pieces of driftwood should be removed and cleaned by removing the algae growth with a stiff bristle brush. Algae that is growing on other aquarium décor can be cleaned off at this time as well. Activated carbon from the filter's chemical compartment must be replaced.

    Quarterly Cleaning

    • Filters must be unplugged and cleaned, as the inside compartments of these units become caked in organic slime with time. All plastic tubing should be disconnected from the filters and rinsed out. Slime must be removed from the impeller blades of the submersible filter pumps. The substrate should be cleaned using an aquarium gravel siphon. In aquariums housing large and messy feeders, the gravel will need to be cleaned on a more regular basis, such as monthly or twice monthly, as required.

    Six-Monthly Cleaning

    • Biological filter material, which normally consists of plastic bio balls, is colonised by beneficial bacteria, which convert toxic metabolic waste into harmless substances. Organic slime eventually coats the outside of this material and hampers the functioning of the bacteria. These bio balls should be rinsed gently in a bucket containing aquarium water, to remove the sludge buildup.