Advice On Cleaning Tank

So I have an established 5 gal that is doing great. I've only ever done a 100% water change on it once and I'm wanting to do another so I can completely scrub the glass and clean all the gravel. I was thinking I could just scoop out about 2 or so gallons to put the fish in while cleaning, then clean everything (but not the filters since I read that that's where the bacteria is housed) and I'll add them back in with freshwater. It seems like it would be no different than how I usually do water changes, except the fish will be removed and the gravel will be cleaned instead of just vacuumed and technically it wouldn't even be a 100% water change. Should this work out okay? I'm mainly wanting to do this because my corys are occassionally rolling around the gravel and my Harlequin tetras appear to have a slight film to them and I figured it was some kind of fungus. So I assumed I would need to clean the tank good to help get rid of it while I treat them (I read that Paraguard by Seachem might be a good option) Any advice on either subject it greatly appreciated!

 

I advise against 100% changes as moving the fish too much can stress them out.

How big is the tank?

 

I advise against 100% changes as moving the fish too much can stress them out.

How big is the tank?

It's a 5 gal. And yes the fish would be removed, but it wouldn't be a real 100% water change because I would keep around half or so of the water. I just feel like I need to clean all the gravel to treat the tank.

 

I highly recommend getting a larger tank or rehoming the fish.

Get a 20 long or larger as soon as you can.

For now, water changes will be your friend. Leave the fish in during a WC and change 50 percent every other day.

 

I mean that's not really plausible for me. I'm currently in the process of getting a new filter ready so I can transfer them to a 10 gallon and my betta into this one. But I don't really need to do water changes that frequently. The levels are always right on target for this tank with Ammonia/nitrate/nitrite being 0ppm. Even when I wasn't able to change their water for a few weeks due to insanely high ammonia levels in my water source (before I got a water conditioner that detoxifies) they're levels still read at 0 for those weeks. Unless you're saying to do water changes for the possible fungus problem, but other than that the levels are fine.

 

I mean that's not really plausible for me. I'm currently in the process of getting a new filter ready so I can transfer them to a 10 gallon and my betta into this one. But I don't really need to do water changes that frequently. The levels are always right on target for this tank with Ammonia/nitrate/nitrite being 0ppm. Even when I wasn't able to change their water for a few weeks due to insanely high ammonia levels in my water source (before I got a water conditioner that detoxifies) they're levels still read at 0 for those weeks. Unless you're saying to do water changes for the possible fungus problem, but other than that the levels are fine.

HI there.

I believe what 75 gallon Discus Tank is trying to say is not that you are overstocked, but that the fish you have selected are too active for your tank size, or even a 10g.

If it's not plausible you're gonna have to figure something out it's perfect for a betta though.

 

I have a tank the same size as yours, and I can assure you that weekly 25% tank cleans are more than enough. Once a month I recommend a 50% tank clean, which is the max. you should ever take out. Remember that bacteria also live in the gravel, so you should only thoroughly clean it once a year (at most!). Cleaning a tank is not the same as cleaning a house - it's a delicate ecosystem that needs to be managed as naturally and carefully as possible. As for your tetras, something might be wrong with their slime coat? Not completely sure. Hope I have helped though! All the best with your aquarium.