If your fish have been sick or if the tank has been in storage, sanitizing your tank is a great way to get rid ofbacteria.The bleach and water solution should be sprayed over the fish tank.Leave the solution for 10 minutes and then rinse the tank.The method will leave you with a clean tank.
Step 1: While you clean the dirty tank, put the fish in a separate tank.
If you don't remove the fish before you clean the tank, they will be harmed by the chemicals.Use a fish net to scoop the fish out of the tank and transfer them to a clean holding tank.The water in the holding tank should be the right temperature for your fish.A fish net can be purchased from a pet shop.To avoid startling the fish, move the net slowly and smoothly.Transfer one fish at a time.If you don't know the ideal water temperature for your fish, search online.
Step 2: Remove the items from the tank.
Take the decorations, plants, and rocks out of the tank.This makes it easier to clean the bottom of the tank.Don't worry about removing items from the tank.
Step 3: The fish tank should be drained with a bucket.
Throw the old water down the drain or into the garden after dipping a sturdy bucket in the water.The tank should be tip over to remove any remaining water.It is best done outside.A syphon hose can be used to drain the water from a large tank.
Step 4: Warm water and a paper towel can be used to clean the tank.
Put a paper towel in warm water and squeeze it to remove drips.First, wipe the sides of the tank.Continue to clean the tank until all the debris is gone.If you find that your paper towel is spreading dirt around the tank, throw it away and use a new one.
Step 5: There is a bleach that does not have detergent in it.
The chemicals in detergent can be fatal to fish, so it's important to avoid bleaches that contain detergent.Look for a bleach that says "regular" or "household" bleach on the packaging.Buy bleach from a store.
Step 6: In a spray bottle, mix 1 part bleach with 9 part water.
Measure 1 cup of bleach and 9 cups of water into a bottle.Shake the spray bottle vigorously for 10 seconds to combine the liquids after you have measured the water.
Step 7: The tank and decorations should be sprayed with the bleach solution.
Place the items on a bleach-safe surface and spray them with bleach solution.Liberally cover all of the tank's surfaces.Any items that are attached to the tank should be sprayed.The bleach solution can kill plants.It is safe to use bleach on concrete.
Step 8: Leave the bleach for 10 minutes.
If you leave the bleach on the tank for more than 15 minutes, the chemicals can cause a problem.When 10 minutes have passed, set a timer to remind you.Children and pets should not be near the bleach solution.
Step 9: Twice, rinse the fish tank.
To empty the tank, use a hose to fill it.If you do this again, you will be able to remove any remaining bleach in the tank.Shake the items in the tank to remove drips.To make sure they are completely clean, repeat this process again.If you don't have a garden hose, fill the fish tank with water.
Step 10: The fish tank should be dry for 24 hours.
This allows time for the bleach to break down into harmless by-products.The items should be placed beside the tank to dry.The tank shouldn't be knocked over by pets or children.
Step 11: The items should be put back into the tank.
It's easier to put the items back when the tank is empty.Attach the filters, put the rocks in the base of the tank, and add decorations to the aquarium.This is a good time to put new items in the tank.Adding objects to the tank that aren't new can cause problems in the aquarium.
Step 12: Set the thermostat to the correct setting after filling the tank with water.
To refill the tank, use a hose or buckets.The ideal temperature for your fish is set on the thermostat.The old water won't be safe to drink.
Step 13: The dechlorination and other necessary conditioners should be added to the water.
The chlorine and other chemicals in the water can be harmful to fish.If you read the back of the packet, you can figure out how much dechlorinator to add.A dechlorinator can be purchased from a pet shop.It takes about 1 drop per 8 litres of water to dechlorinate.It is important to read the bottle for the exact amount.
Step 14: Use a wet fish net to put the fish back in the tank.
To wet the net, dip it into the water.Take the fish out of the holding container and put them in the new tank.Don't make any sudden movements, as this can startle the fish.