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Signs | Tools |
Tank Types | Dirty Water
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Like any pet, health is
important to happiness and longevity. Maintenance
and cleaning of any fish habitat can be laborious
and require some patience, but it's well worth it.
Keeping cleaning schedules can help this process and
ensure your fishes' health. The general rule,
however, is to clean 25 to 50 percent of the
aquarium water per week, and this article describes
some basic weekly cleaning and how it is conducted.
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Signs of a Dirty Tank
- Bad Smells:
overfeeding, ammonia build-up
- Cloudy Water: overfeeding
- Green Spots or Goo on
Surfaces: algae
- Lethargic/Slow Movements from Fish: bad diet or
dirty water
| Basic Tools for Cleaning
- Toothbrush or scrubber
for algae.
- Suction tube for gravel debris.
- Fish net for transferring
fish.
- Empty one
gallon jug.
| Tank Types
 Bowl or other small,
non-filtered tank.
The chemistry of small
bodies of water can change much quicker than that of
larger bodies, so it is important to change most, if
not all, of the water in a small aquarium. The best
way to do this is to capture off the aquarium's
inhabitants and place them in another tank for the
duration of the water change. In place of a second
tank, a cup or other clean container can be used,
but make sure to transfer water from the tank being
cleaned (don't use fresh, unused water). If the bowl
or tank is small enough, dump most of its water and
replace it.
Ideally, use tap water
that has been treated and dechlorinated with special
chemicals available at most pet shops for use in tap
water. Keep this water in a container, like a one
gallon water jug for sale at most grocery stores,
and let it sit for at least a day. By leaving the
water sit, the chemicals are allowed time to work
and the water can reach room temperature.
Carefully introduce the
fish to the new water. If using a cup or other small
container to hold the fish until the tank is filled
again, gradually introduce the new water to the
fish. If using a second tank, mix the new water into
both tanks so the fish starts feeling comfortable
with the new water's temperature and chemistry.
Using an unused
toothbrush, clean the glass and other surfaces of
algae build up.
Aquariums under 30
gallons in capacity.
Assuming your aquarium
has a filter of some kind and other essential
equipment, partial water changes and algae control
are all that is necessary during weekly maintenance.
Use a suction tube, available at most pet shops, to
change around 25 percent of the water.
Check that all equipment
is working properly, the fish appear free of injury
or disease (ideally this would be done daily), and
check that the aquarium decor is structurally sound.
Aquariums over 30 gallons
in capacity.
Do partial water changes
and clean surfaces of algae or other build ups.
Change approximately 10 to 20 percent of the water.
The maintenance is the same as aquariums under 30
gallons, with the different being that the larger
surface area means toxins do not build up as
quickly.
Aquariums with live plants.
Partial water changes and
algae removal not only benefit the fish, they
benefit the plants. Maintenance is similar to other
aquariums, with the difference being the addition of
plant maintenance. Regularly remove dead or dying
plant matter.
| Dirty Water
Curious about what to do
with your dirty water besides dumping it in the
sink? Potted plants enjoy this nutrient-rich water,
as well as outdoor gardens. This is a better choice
for the water as dumping it down the sink can lead
to clogs or other unwanted plumbing mishaps.
These easy weekly jobs
keep your fish alive for years. Enjoy!
The Cichlid Writer |
