How do I clean this tank properly?

Hello Fishlore,

I recently set up a 5 gallon with around 30 black molly fry. I also have some hornwort, dwarf sag, and marimo moss balls. It is now time to clean this tank. How do I do it so I don't accidentally suck in any of the fry or uproot any of the plants? Any input is helpful! This is my first planted tank!

 

Do you plan on keeping all 30 fry? Mollys get much too big for a 5 gallon, even just one molly wouldn't fit in a 5 gal.

As for cleaning, I would maybe use a small cup and just scoop it out and check with each scoop for any hiding fry.

 

Do you plan on keeping all 30 fry? Mollys get much too big for a 5 gallon, even just one molly wouldn't fit in a 5 gal.

As for cleaning, I would maybe use a small cup and just scoop it out and check with each scoop for any hiding fry.

No, don't worry, I'm not keeping any of the fry. I'm going to do sort of a cycle where once the fry get too big I'll rehome them and I'll put in any new fish the molly might have given birth to. This wasn't worded very well but I hope you get it somewhat.

I will probably do what you said, but is there I way I can also clean the gravel?

 

Uneaten food and fish waste will be your biggest problem/ammonia source. You can use a turkey blaster to suck that out daily.

And as previously stated maybe use a cup for water changes.

if you wanted to vacuum the gravel it’s possible but you’ll just have to be very cautious while they are small

 

Everyone has their "magical" routine. I scrape the glass and clean the gravel religiously every single Sunday . If your plants are young and will get sucked up or uprooted then just avoid those areas until the plants get some roots.

 

Uneaten food and fish waste will be your biggest problem/ammonia source. You can use a turkey blaster to suck that out daily.

And as previously stated maybe use a cup for water changes.

if you wanted to vacuum the gravel it’s possible but you’ll just have to be very cautious while they are small

Do you mean turkey baster? If so, where can I find one?

 

Thanks, everyone for the replies! Does anyone think I could keep some ghost shrimp in there so they would help me out by cleaning some of the algae and stuff?

 

Thanks, everyone for the replies! Does anyone think I could keep some ghost shrimp in there so they would help me out by cleaning some of the algae and stuff?

I don't know how tiny your fry are, but remember nearly all crustaceans are opportunistic. If they can catch it they will eat it...
Were I in your shoes...I'd put some ramshorn or malaysian trumpet snails in there. I'm assuming you are using a sponge filter? Reason I ask is these pest type snails can get into a filter and damage the impellers. But the snails are food limited and add a negligible amount of bioload since they are actually part of the waste breakdown part of the cycle.

 

I don't know how tiny your fry are, but remember nearly all crustaceans are opportunistic. If they can catch it they will eat it...
Were I in your shoes...I'd put some ramshorn or malaysian trumpet snails in there. I'm assuming you are using a sponge filter? Reason I ask is these pest type snails can get into a filter and damage the impellers. But the snails are food limited and add a negligible amount of bioload since they are actually part of the waste breakdown part of the cycle.

I have a 5 gallon. Would the snails still work? I am not using a sponge filter, even though I probably should. I am using the small internal filter that came with the tank.

 

I have a 5 gallon. Would the snails still work? I am not using a sponge filter, even though I probably should. I am using the small internal filter that came with the tank.

Yes I have several ramshorn snails living in a five gallon.
If you have a prefilter where they can't get sucked up you could still be fine.

 

Yes I have several ramshorn snails living in a five gallon.
If you have a prefilter where they can't get sucked up you could still be fine.

Where can I find some malaysian trumpet snails or ramshorn snails? Since my fry aren't that small and are pretty quick I would still like some shrimp. Are shrimp compatible with the snails you mentioned?