In the movie “Finding Nemo”, the fish sabotage the automatic cleaning of their aquarium so that the dentist has no choice but to take them out in individual bags with which they intend to roll to the window and back to the sea. Although in fiction this adventure was most entertaining, real life is quite different.
Fish are very sensitive animals and any drastic change in their environment can prove fatal for them. Even if we have a good treatment plant, we cannot avoid the appearance of algae, greenish water and a bad smell in your pond.
Therefore, the aquarium needs meticulous maintenance. The frequency will depend on the size and type of pond you use, as well as the number of fish inside. Cleaning the fish tank is a meticulous process that must be done carefully if we do not want to disturb its inhabitants.
It is best to do regular maintenance cleaning without removing the fish from it, as they get very stressed. First remove all the decorative elements and wash them well with lukewarm water and a brush to remove all the dirt. Do not use soap, as it is very difficult to rinse completely and is toxic to fish. Instead, if there is a lot of dirt, you can use a little bleach, but you have to rinse it very well and leave the pieces to dry in the sun for a day to evaporate.
Next, empty a quarter of the water from the fish tank with the help of a siphon. Do not forget to move all the stones at the bottom well, as they tend to accumulate dirt. Use an algae scraper to clean the crystals, then use a net to remove any debris that has been loosened in the process.
Then, it’s time to put the decorations back and fill the pond. Use clean, chlorine-free water that is the same temperature as the tank water to avoid upsetting the fish.
More sporadically – but regularly – it is convenient to do a thorough cleaning with the empty fish tank. Start by removing three-quarters of the water and removing any decorative items. Take out the fish one by one with the help of a specific net or a glass glass. It is important that they are not exposed to the air, but are kept with water at all times. While you clean the aquarium, leave the fish in another large container with the water that you have removed from it.
Then, completely empty the entire tank and clean it thoroughly with an algae scraper, scrubber, and brush. You can use a little bleach or chlorine to sanitize it, but make sure you rinse it very well and let it dry in the sun for a day so that it evaporates and doesn’t affect your fish.
Finally, fill the fish tank with clean water and add the stones and decorations again. You can now carefully return your fish to their usual home. If your aquarium has a water filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning it.
