I use this product myself, and it’s fantastic. It’s super easy to use—just takes 3-5 minutes. Simply insert the batteries, ensure the motor is submerged, and press the button on top to activate. It’s remarkable that I don’t need a bucket or hose, and there’s no fishy aftertaste. I highly recommend it!

Steps

Cleaning your fish tank effectively requires a systematic approach to ensure a healthy environment for your aquatic pets. Here’s a detailed guide to achieve squeaky clean results:

Preparation

1. Wash Your Hands: Before starting, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid introducing contaminants into the tank.

2. Turn Off Equipment: Switch off the filtration system, heater, and lighting to prevent any damage during cleaning.

Remove Decorations

3. Take Out Decorations: Remove all decorations and place them in a separate bucket or on a towel. This allows you to clean them without affecting the tank’s water quality.

Scrub the Tank

4. Clean the Tank Walls: Use an acrylic or glass scrub brush to clean the sides of the fish tank. If algae is present, consider using an algae scraper for tougher spots, ensuring not to scratch the surface_[1][2].

Vacuum the Substrate

5. Use a Siphon: Put a gravel siphon in the tank to remove waste from the bottom. Move it to collect debris, leftover food, and waste. Try to clean about one-third of the bottom each time._[1][2]

Clean the Filter

6. Rinse Filter Media: Remove filter media (like sponges or floss) and rinse them in the bucket of waste water you collected from siphoning. Avoid washing them under tap water as this can kill beneficial bacteria_[4].

Replace Water

7. Prepare Fresh Water: Fill a bucket with fresh tap water, ensuring it matches the temperature of your tank water. Add a water conditioner according to the manufacturer’s instructions before adding it back into the tank_[1].

Reassemble the Tank

8. Return Decorations: Place all cleaned decorations back into the tank.

9. Refill and Restart Equipment: Slowly add fresh water back into the main tank and turn on your filtration, heater, and lights_[2].

Final Touches

10. Wipe Down Exterior: For that extra shine, wipe down the outside of the tank with an aquarium-safe cleaner to remove any smudges or dust_[2].

Conclusion

Establish a consistent cleaning routine and ensure you clean at least every three weeks. When refreshing the tank water, retain 30-40% of the existing water to preserve the chemical balance.

Frequent cleaning with minimal water changes will yield the best results for maintaining a pristine aquaponics system.

Citations:

[1] https://www.petmd.com/fish/how-clean-fish-tank

[2] https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/aquarium-cleaning

[3] https://www.petsmart.ca/fish/maintenance-and-repair/brushes-and-tank-cleaners

[4] https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/national-clean-your-aquarium-day

[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/wdh3ci/how_do_yall_keep_your_tanks_so_clean_i_do_weekly/

[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M8QJEaKaMo

[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIe2PsC2Xqk

Video: Cleaning your aquarium for squeaky clean results!