How To Clean An Aquarium With Proper Water Changes

[DoughBoy93090]

hey everyone! I see this question a lot and thought I would help with the newbies out there. I created a video that shows proper tank maintenance, as well as a document with a step by step into tank maintenance.

Hope this helps save some fish lives out there!

Document is in the description of the video.

What do you guys think? Anything I should have added, or anything I’ve missed?

 

[PhilodendronM]

Great watch! Should be useful for new people, and for reference for me for sure!

 

[Joanbeez]

Great video, glad to know I’m not the only one who tries to pet their fish.

 

[Kuebeecee]

Thank you!

 

[Victoria99]

Thanks!!

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Thanks everyone!

Great video, glad to know I’m not the only one who tries to pet their fish.

Lol, my wife thinks I’m strange for trying to pet a fish!
I’ve seen videos of people whose fish swim into their hands to be pet so I know its possible! Lol

 

[Dejen]

Thanks everyone!



Lol, my wife thinks I’m strange for trying to pet a fish!
I’ve seen videos of people whose fish swim into their hands to be pet so I know its possible! Lol

Great video for reference! I'm just starting my exploration of this hobby and this is really valuable. One question is what vacuum device were you using in this video? Was there a particular brand or model that you recommend?

Thanks, again!

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Great video for reference! I'm just starting my exploration of this hobby and this is really valuable. One question is what vacuum device were you using in this video? Was there a particular brand or model that you recommend?

Thanks, again!

Hey Dejen, thanks!

It was an Aqueon gravel vac. Depending on the size of your tank there are a lot of more efficient gravel vacs.

This one was a spare so very basic.

Some of them have an inline squeeze ball that helps to start the siphon which makes life easier. There are others your can hook up to your faucet to fill and drain faster. The python is one of these.

I have actually purchased 50 foot black irrigation tubing that fits right into the outlet of the gravel vac so that way I can drain the tank without having to use any buckets.

 

[Dejen]

Hey Dejen, thanks!

It was an Aqueon gravel vac. Depending on the size of your tank there are a lot of more efficient gravel vacs.

This one was a spare so very basic.

Some of them have an inline squeeze ball that helps to start the siphon which makes life easier. There are others your can hook up to your faucet to fill and drain faster. The python is one of these.

I have actually purchased 50 foot black irrigation tubing that fits right into the outlet of the gravel vac so that way I can drain the tank without having to use any buckets.

Awesome! Great information - I'll keep that in mind. I don't yet have a tank (trying to do my research in advance) but I'm planning on getting a 29-G. Thanks!

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Awesome! Great information - I'll keep that in mind. I don't yet have a tank (trying to do my research in advance) but I'm planning on getting a 29-G. Thanks!

Always good to know what you are getting into!

 

[FreshWaterPirate]

Great Video!

I have a question about dechlorinators.
I have always filled my 5 gallon bucked of new water and added the appropriate amount, per amount of water, of dechlorinator, then let it sit to become the same temp.

A lot of people on the internet will just add dechlorinator to the tank, then top it off with tap water.
When doing this method, should I add enough dechlorinator for the amount of water that i'm adding, or what is specified for the whole aquarium amount.

It would make sense to only add the amount for the amount of water that you're adding, but then on the other hand once you add it to the dechlorinator to the tank it had becomes diluted.

I have heard from multiple sources that you should add dechlorinator as if you were treating the whole tank, even though you only did a 20% water change because you're mixing it all together.

thoughts?

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Great Video!

I have a question about dechlorinators.
I have always filled my 5 gallon bucked of new water and added the appropriate amount, per amount of water, of dechlorinator, then let it sit to become the same temp.

A lot of people on the internet will just add dechlorinator to the tank, then top it off with tap water.
When doing this method, should I add enough dechlorinator for the amount of water that i'm adding, or what is specified for the whole aquarium amount.

It would make sense to only add the amount for the amount of water that you're adding, but then on the other hand once you add it to the dechlorinator to the tank it had becomes diluted.

I have heard from multiple sources that you should add dechlorinator as if you were treating the whole tank, even though you only did a 20% water change because you're mixing it all together.

thoughts?

Depending on the temp of the water your adding, waiting is appropriate. If you’re doing a small water change adding the water slowly shouldn’t lower the temp of the tank drastically but it all depends on the difference of your tap.

If your tap is 20 degrees colder or warmer than the tank you will want to adjust accordingly.

I have always added the amount of dechlorinator for the amount of water I am adding. I go over a bit from the recommended dosage for good measure but don’t dose for the whole tank.

I’ve heard more is better over less. I don’t think you can add too much but I could be wrong.

I add the dechlorinator to the tank before the water, or I add it to the first bucket of water.

 

[FreshWaterPirate]

Depending on the temp of the water your adding, waiting is appropriate. If you’re doing a small water change adding the water slowly shouldn’t lower the temp of the tank drastically but it all depends on the difference of your tap.

If your tap is 20 degrees colder or warmer than the tank you will want to adjust accordingly.

I have always added the amount of dechlorinator for the amount of water I am adding. I go over a bit from the recommended dosage for good measure but don’t dose for the whole tank.

I’ve heard more is better over less. I don’t think you can add too much but I could be wrong.

I add the dechlorinator to the tank before the water, or I add it to the first bucket of water.

There's no shortage of cold water here in Canada
I don't trust the cleanliness of the inside of my water heater so I only use cold water for my aquarium which comes out of the tap at around 10 degrees Celsius.
I run my aquarium at 23 or 24 degrees Celsius so I just leave the 5 gallon bucket overnight with dechlorinator and the next day its good to go!

Thanks for your help

PS: The only fish that will ever allow me touch it is my goldfish. He actually swims up and over to my hand as if he likes it. BUT If I move too quickly he will splash me with his tail as he darts to the bottom, which is not fun at all, especially because hes around 6 inches long and can splash a full cup of water out of the tank. (don't forget to bring a towel )

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Lol! I was thinking of Canada when I said it depends on your tap.

I’m from Arizona so I have the opposite problem. My tap water can come out over 90degrees f.... not too bad for tropical fish, but always let it rest for the Goldys...

He will like being pet! I’m determined lol!

Here’s what happens when I cut off his raw shrimp habit and feed him banana... he got mad and splashed my wall all the way to the ceiling...

 

[Panpan]

Awesome vid! I'm a newbie here, we decided to do a 80% water change and kept our Betta separated while cleaned the tank, gravel, plants, and logs (3.5 gal tank). We also decided to change our filter....but after watching this video I think that was a mistake!

Should we let the tank cycle (for X amount of days?) and then add our Betta in? Thank you!

 

[DoughBoy93090]

Awesome vid! I'm a newbie here, we decided to do a 80% water change and kept our Betta separated while cleaned the tank, gravel, plants, and logs (3.5 gal tank). We also decided to change our filter....but after watching this video I think that was a mistake!

Should we let the tank cycle (for X amount of days?) and then add our Betta in? Thank you!

Hey there! Welcome!

I’m glad you liked it. I know when I first started out I didn’t know anything! I wish I had access to YouTube and the internet for help but wasn’t really an option back then... lol.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there with bettas and tank needs. A cycled aquarium is always best for the well being of any fish.

Bettas are the enigma of the fish world. They appear to survive in little cups with little water and little need.

If you did a 80% water change, scrubbed everything clean, and tossed your filter cartridge you got rid of a lot of the beneficial bacteria in the tank.

If you left the actual filter itself alone and didn’t clean this out than there should be some bacteria still on the surfaces of your filter. Majority of the bacteria live in your filter, most of which the filter pads/cartridge.

To keep it short... your tank does not necessarily need to be cycled but your fish will benefit more if it is. This only applies to Bettas, and the only reason I’m stating this is my limited experience with them and what I’ve read.

If you do not over feed, and do a 1/3 weekly water change your fish will do just fine.

Make sure to treat any new water you are adding, and that the temperature matches their tank.

Bettas have a very little bioload, the ammonia they produce is in such little quantities, this is how they are able to live in tiny aquariums across the nation.

As long as you are not feeding your fish a massive amount these levels will remain low. If you are concerned about the safety of your fish after a massive cleaning test the water of the tank daily to make sure the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are staying in the safe range.