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Vinegar is excellent for removing hard water stains, and salt will clean out a tank nicely. Let it dry and then you should boil it for at least ten minutes. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. While nitrate isn’t visible to the eye, its effects are. Properly cleaning new aquarium gravel is an important first step in keeping water quality high. wikiHow's. A magnetic algae cleaner consists of two magnets with a soft felt covering. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Use a drinking glass or a fish net to gently move your fish from the tank to the container. [1] X Research source Aaron BernardFish & Aquarium Specialist 17 July 2020. I like to use a water jug, it’s easier to lift then a big bucket and … This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Step 2 Soak the aquarium rocks and decorations in the bucket of cleaning solution for about 15 minutes. Do these methods also help get rid of the bad smell in the gravel? Wipe the inside with paper towel. Clean the tank with warm tap water. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Continue doing this until you have enough solution to cover all the pieces of air stone you intend to clean. For example, mix 9 cups of water with 1 cup of bleach. Maintaining an aquarium is an ongoing battle that needs time dedicated to it. Rinse very thoroughly and there you have it, … The remaining water contains the healthy bacteria needed to repopulate your tank. Consult your local pet store for more information about the water requirements of your particular fish. Running it under cold water, tapping it to remove all the access debris. By using our site, you agree to our. I have a biological filter that keeps all the N levels where they should be. Clean buckets and fresh hot water and a scrub brush designated solely for cleaning can rid the décor of unsightly algae. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,908 times. Metal or plastic razor blade (optional, be careful with acrylic tanks, as these scratch easier). Most of the time the air stone will be clean by now. Learn more... Air stones are the part of the aquarium aeration system that create cascades of tiny bubbles and help oxygenate the tank. Only wash if you need to. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. I recommend doing a 25% water change about once a month to keep your tank clean without removing too much of the healthy bacteria. Clean the filter, thermostat and tubes. Fish & Aquarium Specialist. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Wear rubber cleaning gloves when dipping your fingers into the bleach solution to remove your air stone pieces. X Fill a clean container as close to the size of your fish tank as possible with non-chlorinated water. Cut out the photosynthesis of the BBA. Adding a few snails also helps (if you don’t mind having snails) as they will eat most of the uneaten food and help keep the tank cleaner. As you move the siphon about the tank, be careful not to bump or frighten your fish. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The Best Method for Cleaning your Air Stone. Lava rocks for aquarium are the best option for those who need clear water. Expert Interview. Use lots of salt, don't be shy, and scrub it around there vigorously. Clean it well and then remove all traces of vinegar with lots of running water. Thoroughly mix up the gravel so detritus trapped between the stones is suspended in the water. Wash the air stone in clean water, and then gently remove any excess build-up of the outside. Work slowly. It is strongly recommended that you use vinegar or a cleaner designated as aquarium safe, and make sure you rinse the surfaces with a clean damp cloth. When everything is back in place, plug in and turn on your air filtration and air stone devices. Expert Source If you do end up drinking a little water, rest assured this is not harmful. Other fish tank equipment can be soaked in vinegar for 24-48 hours, then you should scrub them and rinse again with clean water; Gently wipe the tank with this vinegar liquid and wash them with water later, it is similar to how to clean an empty fish tank. I got the snail to help with the algae dust (the kind that sticks on surfaces and he does a good job … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Shake the colander a few times to help dislodge any stubborn debris on the gravel. Bleach has the advantage of both cleaning the stone and also disinfecting it. If you don’t, press the opening deeper into the gravel. You should see matter being sucked out of the gravel as you work. Fill the aquarium back up slowly. When cleaning your gravel, some water is removed from the fish tank; therefore, cleaning your gravel can be done along with your weekly water change. Usually, they are made of porous stone and many aquarium users say their fish like the small bubbles they produce. Do not clean all your gravel at once. Avoid drying your air stone with a towel, which can break your brittle pieces. When you're finished, pour the tank water and gravel into a colander, and rinse the gravel under a stream of lukewarm water to clean it off. The end pieces may seem stuck at first. References. 2. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Remove the air stone from your aquarium. Fortunately, you can clean them in a few easy steps. References. 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of bleach per 3–4 US gal (11–15 l) of water in a separate container (optional). [1] % of people told us that this article helped them. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. http://animals.mom.me/rid-food-bottom-betta-tank-8620.html, http://www.tetra-fish.com/aquarium-information/how-to-set-up-an-aquarium-fish-tank-setup.aspx, http://animals.mom.me/treat-fish-suffering-chlorine-poison-9338.html, http://www.tetra-fish.com/ask-tetra-support-aquarium-advice/aquarium-tips-dos-and-donts-guide.aspx, http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/blog/using-a-gravel-vacuum-in-the-home-aquarium, http://guppyaquarium.com/3-ways-to-siphon-your-aquarium-water/, https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/Why-not-to-throw-away-your-old-aquarium-filter, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It is also home to a lot of good bacteria. That can be a difficult tank to clean and for the tanks I use with river rocks, I often have to move all the rocks for a good cleaning every few months. Be sure to aerate the water with an air stone during this time. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Aquarium-safe glass cleaner or a vinegar-based solution. Tip If you note any foaming or an oily sheen arising from the boiling water, the rocks are not acceptable for aquarium use. This article has been viewed 26,908 times. To clean the rocks in your fish tank, start by moving your fish to a separate container and taking out any accessories in the tank. The study says lava rocks in Aquarium help you to have clear water and if you purchased high quality of lava rocks for fish tank then not only it will make your aquarium water clear but also it will release some particles that help in increasing clarity. Last on the list of jobs is to clean your filter. Soak the stone … Lift the air stone out of the tank and disconnect it from any tubes it is connected to. If you can’t stomach sucking on the tubing, some siphons make special priming balls that start the siphon for you. The accumulated dirt and dregs can be easily removed from the substrade by using the gravel cleaner. Aaron Bernard. Sure, you don’t have to walk your fish twice a day, get them vaccinated, trim their fur, or clip their nails. Aaron Bernard. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Clean-Fish-Tank-Rocks-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Fish-Tank-Rocks-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Clean-Fish-Tank-Rocks-Step-1.jpg\/aid8815957-v4-728px-Clean-Fish-Tank-Rocks-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"