The frequency at which you should clean your fish tank depends greatly on the fish and the kind of aquarium you have in it. There are no hard and fast rules on how frequently you should clean your fish tank. However, according to the pros, if you want to clean your fish tank regularly then go ahead, but otherwise, it’s not necessary.
The first thing you will need to do is to get hold of your fish tank shampoo and rinsing solution. These can usually be purchased from your pet store or online. The next thing that you need to do is to get a good algae scraper pad. To be able to use an algae scraper pad you must have at least one sponge and a scrubber in your kitchen. The scrubber can be used to scrub off the leaves, stems, and other debris from the algae scraper pad.
Once you have your equipment and supplies ready, then you can begin cleaning your fish tank. Before you clean the tank take a look at the bottom and rocks of your fish tank. If there is any debris such as shells and dead insects then remove them. When you are cleaning your fish tank than be careful not to get any water in the tank to make sure all the water is drained out. After you have cleaned up the debris then it is time to check the condition of your fish.
You should test your fish to ensure they are all healthy. Then you should begin your pet store maintenance program. Once your fish is showing the signs of good health then you can stop caring for them yourself. However, sometimes good fish have to be cared for so that the beneficial bacteria can grow.
In order to get the best results when cleaning your fish tank, you will need to have a clean tank or water garden. Make sure the freshwater aquarium filter and heater are also clean. You will need to clean the gravel at least once per week and add a biodegradable waste material such as fish food or potato peels. This will help the bacteria grow, therefore maintaining the proper levels of nitrate and oxygen in the tank.
Your maintenance routine should include aquarium water changes, cleaning the filters, changing the light bulbs, adding any bacterial supplements or fertilizers, and testing the pH levels. Your fish should be tested for ammonia and nitrite on a weekly basis, and then once a month for any bacterial levels. Be careful when you are changing your light bulbs because the light bulb can produce up to five million units of ammonia every minute! Therefore, you need to have a backup light source.
You should monitor your fish’s Ph levels every week. High Ph levels are associated with reduced growth and development. You will also notice a drastic change in the color and quality of your fish, as well as signs of stress. Lower Ph levels are associated with higher ammonia and nitrite levels, so you will want to take these vital parameters into consideration.
Experts recommend you add fish only if you are ready to provide for their nutritional requirements. You should also consider how your new fish will interact with other species in your aquarium before adding them. Some species will feed on other fish, while other fish will only accept living fish. It is also important to know if your fish will inhabit the tank permanently, or if you will need to relocate them during their life span. When you consider all of this information, make sure you have enough space in your tank to house your new fish!