Leftover food and feces can accumulate at the bottom of the aquarium and make the stones very dirty. So that your fish's habitat is always clean, it is necessary to periodically remove these residues. Whether you have a small aquarium with a single goldfish or a big one, full of exotic fish, you can clean its pebbles at home to keep your pets healthy and happy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Washing Small Aquarium Stones
Step 1. Take the fish out of the aquarium
If you only have a small fish, like a goldfish or a beta, getting them out of the aquarium to clean the rocks will be much easier. Fill a container about the size of the aquarium with dechlorinated water. Then use a cup or net to carefully transfer the fish to the other container.
Step 2. Remove accessories from the aquarium
Release the filter and remove all plants and decorative objects. In order for you to start cleaning, the aquarium must be filled with water and stones.
Step 3. Wash the stones with treated water
Very carefully, turn the aquarium water in a sieve. Shake it under running water at room temperature to loosen and eliminate the debris from the stones. Do this until the water comes out of the sieve completely clean.
Step 4. Put the stones back in the aquarium
Once they are clean, spread the pebbles on the bottom of the aquarium once more and put the filter and decoration back in place.
Step 5. Fill the aquarium
with non-chlorine water. If your little fish need some special care, such as water with a specific pH, take the necessary measures to keep the aquarium in these conditions. Once everything is in place, gently dip the other container into the aquarium and allow the fish to swim into the water.
Talk to the staff at the nearest pet shop to find out what kind of water you should use for each species of fish
Method 2 of 3: Washing Large Aquarium Stones
Step 1. Do not remove fish from the aquarium
If you have several fish in a single aquarium or they are of some exotic species, do not take them out of the water to clean the rocks. You'll need to spend a lot of time cleaning the rocks, and the wait can be traumatizing for your pets. What's more, you'll use a special siphon to clean the gravel, which makes it unnecessary to move the minnows to another container.
Step 2. Place a plastic bucket on the floor near the aquarium
Buy a specific bucket to use for cleaning and place it under the aquarium so that gravity makes the job easier.
Do not use an ordinary cleaning bucket for this. It may contain cleaning product residues, and although you'll only need it to dispose of dirty water, it's best to use separate utensils for pet care
Step 3. Put the siphon in place
Place the cylindrical side of the siphon inside the aquarium, with the opening at the very bottom, close to the pebbles. Pass the other side of the tube over the edge of the aquarium and hold it over the bucket.
Step 4. Suck the free end of the tube to create negative pressure
Then quickly place the hose into the bucket. As soon as you pull in air, negative pressure will build up inside the cylinder and dirty water will start to siphon out. Be very careful not to take too long and end up with your mouth full of aquarium water.
- If you are disgusted with sucking the tube, there are some siphons with pump available on the market. Take a look at the pet shop or fish shop closest to you.
- Don't worry if you end up drinking a little water. It won't do you any harm.
Step 5. Use the cylindrical side of the siphon to remove debris
Once the siphon is working, you don't need to do anything else to maintain pressure in the tube. Let the water run freely and press the submerged side of the siphon against the pebbles. Take it from one side of the aquarium to the other, always with the mouthpiece placed against the gravel. Use circular motions to vacuum up waste. The siphon may end up sucking a pebble or another, but the pressure will not be enough to pull them into the tube. Just give the cylinder a shake to release the rocks that rise.
- You will see the dirt coming off the pebbles. If it doesn't, press the siphon harder against the gravel.
- Be careful not to scare or hurt the fish while dragging the siphon through the aquarium. Do this very calmly.
Step 6. Don't take more than 25% of the water from the aquarium
Otherwise, you could end up interfering with the level of bacteria that are beneficial to the environment. Also, remember that fish are still in the aquarium and need water to survive.
Step 7. Discard the dirty water
When you think the rocks are clean enough, take the siphon out of the aquarium and turn the dirty water from the bucket into the sink or toilet. Wash the siphon with hot water.
Step 8. Fill the aquarium
Once you've finished cleaning the rocks, fill the aquarium back with dechlorinated water. If your little fish need some special care, such as water with a specific pH, take the necessary measures to keep the aquarium in these conditions.
Method 3 of 3: Taking care of the stones
Step 1. Change the aquarium filter according to the manufacturer's instructions
Keep filter changes up to date to prevent the stones from accumulating dirt. Make an appointment on the calendar to remember the right date to replace the equipment.
It might be a good idea to keep the old filter together with the new one for a few days so as not to change the aquarium ecosystem too abruptly
Step 2. Clean the pebbles every two weeks
Wash the gravel every 15 days to keep the aquarium and the fish healthy. Be careful not to overdo the frequency and end up eliminating bacteria that are good for the aquarium ecosystem.
Step 3. Avoid using detergents and other heavy cleaning products
Most industrialized cleaners are toxic to fish. Always wash the stones with pure water without chlorine. If the dirt is very resistant, buy new stones rather than trying to clean them with more powerful solutions.