Remove the gravel. Clean the tank with warm tap water. If you’re a fish fanatic like me, you will enjoy this blog! How To Clean Aquarium Gravel with or without using Vacuum Gravel Cleaner: If your aquarium gravels are dirty then it would pollute your aquarium water & it is dangerous for your fish. Let the clean gravel soak in the dechlorinated water for a while. When you overfeed your fish then the leftover food stuck in the gravel which releases harmful chemicals. The system works by... #Step 01– Unplug. "I didn't know I could clean my gravel by putting the siphoning tube under the gravel. Can’t I safely buy clean gravel from an aquarium shop? I use a mesh colander to clean gravel. All you need for this is a bucket and some vinegar. Make sure your hands are clean before you clean your tank. If you decide to go with bleach, it is important to use a very small amount, like ¼ of a cup per bucket of water. Gravel vacuums use gravity to draw water out of the tank, so the collection bucket should be positioned lower than the aquarium. Get them out and put them in a bucket or lay them in a tray. ", "Clear instructions and visual information; really good. After doing that, simply rinse the fish tank with some water to clean the glass and put it back in its place. The coloring of the gravel can also discolor the water. Performed once or twice a month, a cleaning routine does not have to take much of your time, and the results are very satisfactory. You can do that easily when you are doing water changes or when doing a full aquarium cleanup. Cover the gravel with about one inch of water and mix the gravel to stir things up a little bit. When cleaning new aquarium gravel, it’s a good idea to use waterproof gloves. Cleaning gravel with vacuum kit. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Share; It is a great source of gravel and, most importantly, it’s free! As the bucket fills, vigorously agitate the gravel. Simply submerge the vacuum head in the tank and drop the other end of the tube into an empty bucket to collect the dirty water. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 110,496 times. 0 shares. Keep an eye on the pH level, hardness, and ammonia. If you are using a Python, or a similar type, simply turn the water on the begin siphoning. Yes, vinegar. After filling the bucket with water, let it sit for 10 minutes and then empty it. But we know that not everyone can get their hands on a gravel siphon, or maybe their gravel siphon is damaged—so what can be used instead? Once you have cleared the fish out, removed accessories, and placed the aquarium in an open space, it’s time to start using warm water. Use a hosepipe to clean the gravel in a sieve. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You have to do this several times until the water that comes out of the bucket looks clean. Leave a Comment / Cleaning / By cmoarz. Do this several times until the water coming off your gravel runs clean and clear. Next, remove all the water from the fish tank. This article has been viewed 110,496 times. Then, place a bucket under the aquarium and lower your aquarium vacuum into the tank. To create this article, 19 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. To give a short answer to this, it should be cleaned at least twice a month if you have a heavily populated tank. Clean the filter, thermostat and tubes. Simply turning on the water creates the siphon effect. Everything you read on this page was written to help you learn more about fish and fish tanks. Rinse the gravel a … Put all the gravel back into the tank, mixing together the dirty and clean gravel. Algae-eating fish are adapted to do just that and, if your tank will accommodate one, you’ll get a dual-purpose pet and cleaner all in one fish. Thoroughly rinse off your chosen substrate (gravel, aquarium rocks, sand, etc.) Leave your fish in for the clean. Approved. But you need to be careful with this because bleach tends to hold on to the gravel for a long time and if you introduce it into the fish tank, it can kill your fish if it’s in high concentration. I am a passionate fish keeper, with years of experience. As such, most aquarium hobbyists will plan their gravel cleaning day alongside their weekly partial water changes. To clean the river gravel, simply put 2 cups of vinegar in a bucket with the gravel and fill it with water. I have over 10 years of experience in this hobby. The only good way to get rid of algae in the substrate is to take the substrate out and clean it. Plants love organic waste. References Once you are satisfied that the gravel is clean, it’s time to put it back in the fish tank. First, fill a bucket with water from your tank, catch the fish using a net (or your hands) and gently place them in the bucket. Yes, you can use algae removal substances to get rid of it, but these tend to be expensive without being terribly efficient. Make sure that you don’t damage the tank decorations as they tend to be very fragile. Vacuuming it won’t work as well, since it will only remove the superficial layers of algae and not the ones that have made a strong bond with the gravel. Before washing or cleaning your fish tank gravel without a vacuum, you will need to move the fish in the tank into another proper and toxin-free container. Most tanks should have a thermometer, but if yours doesn't, you'll need to stick a clean, glass thermometer into the water. A - How to Clean Old Aquarium Gravel With a Vacuum Step 1: Disconnect every electrical equipment of the fish tank. Pour out the water again and repeat the process several times until the water appears clear, clean and free of film, dust, debris, and grit. You can do this by using a cup and a bucket. We will show you a way to clean the gravel in your fish tank, without the need for a siphon or a hose. As long as you rinse it thoroughly during water changes and it doesn't appear dirty, it can continue to be used. For tips on how to finish up after cleaning and how to clean store-bought gravel, keep reading! Under a stream of lukewarm water, agitate the colander to loosen and wash away any stubborn debris. Dip the vacuum head into the tank until it fills and them remove it from the water completely. You have two ways to clean the gravels: Take out the stones and take them in a container, you can put them in a sieve to clean. If you are like me, you will probably take a bucket to a river and start filling it with gravel from there. Simply pouring the water back in might seem easier, but this can cause debris to rise up and cloud the water. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Dig the vacuum head into the substrate once the siphon effect has started and move it slowly around the tank to suck up accumulated waste. Using a water siphon, you can easily clean underneath your gravel, sucking up any debris that has collected down there over time. Aquarium siphons usually have a thick, plastic tube or "siphon" with a thin, flexible, tube attached to one end. When an algae deposit gets too big, you will notice some green or brown spots on the glass of the aquarium. Is it really important to clean new aquarium gravel? How Often Should You Clean Fish Tank Gravel. Old fish food that fish didn’t eat, fish poo, algae, and even harmful bacteria can hide in the fish tank substrate. You don’t need any special tools to clean your aquarium gravel, a bucket and a source of clean water are all that is needed. It is good to test the water from time to time. Step 2: Get the vacuum ready with a plastic tube/priming ball/python. The residue left by the chemicals will kill your fish. An important first step in maintaining high water quality is the proper cleaning of new aquarium gravel; gravel dust and residue can harm or even kill fish. [1] X Research source Cleaning aquarium sand with a dust/suction bell. Heavier materials with a tougher texture will sink to the bottom. This way of doing it is a little bit harder, but it can still be done without too much difficulty. Plug in all the electrical equipment. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Fish waste and uneaten food can build up and poison the water and the fish in your tank. In some situations, this type of filter may work, but if your gravel is very fine it can clog the filter, thus rendering it inefficient. Before you do anything to your tank, you must unplug the heater and turn off the filter and pump. FishTankMaster.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Do not vacuum all of the gravel or replace all of the water all at once. 5-gallon tank the gravel had a lot of algae buildup on it, so I took it all out and cleaned it under tap water. How do I clean the algae off of the gravel without using snails or shrimps, etc? By using our site, you agree to our. And you need to get rid of it in order to maintain a balance. Take Out The Gravel And Start Cleaning From the bottom of the fish tank, scoop up a few gravels out of it and put them in the separated place without rinsing them. Step 1: Start by setting up a clean tank or holder to briefly hold all the fish. To clean the river gravel, simply put 2 cups of vinegar in a bucket with the gravel and fill it with water. Buildup of waste also clouds the water. Never use soap, detergents, or bleach to clean your aquarium, gravel, or decorations. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Wipe the inside of the tank with clean paper towels. Also, you can use algae removal substances, but they are not that efficient. If your aquarium doesn’t weigh too much, pour the rocks into a hand-held pan. If you love aquariums, maintenance is an essential aspect of it. Try … Watch carefully as the water begins to drain down the tube towards the collection bucket and re-submerge the vacuum quickly before it completely empties. (Complete Guide). Do it quickly as... #Step 02– Submerge. Disclaimer: FishTankMaster.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Why should you clean your gravel? and any other tank decorations with warm water. Attempting to rinse too much gravel at once may not remove all the dust, debris or grit. Remove all the gravel from your aquarium and put it in a mix of water and bleach. Learn more... Aquarium gravel serves not only as a decoration, but also as a filter. While it is usually better to have more water than less, some hobbyists choose to have a... How to Acclimate New Aquarium Fish? Gravel plays an important role in the fish tank ecosystem and if it gets too dirty, it can cause all sorts of unwanted problems. How often you’ll clean your gravel will depend a lot on the dynamics of your fish tank. Choose a gravel vacuum commensurate with the size of your aquarium and the amount of open space in your tank. % of people told us that this article helped them. It’s very easy to use a gravel vacuum and it’s the fastest way to remove built-up waste from your substrate. This article has been viewed 110,496 times. Lighter materials will float to the surface. This way you ensure a good concentration to kill the unwanted passengers and it will be easy to clean off at the end. Empty the fish bucket, with the water, into the tank. In this video, I explain how to clean newly purchased aquarium substrate (sand and/or gravel). Gravel has no expiration date, unless the manufacturer specifically states this. Gently pour the water from your fish tank through a colander. Without a vacuum, cleaning gravel is a tricky process and could take a while, but it’s definitely doable. Last Updated: November 12, 2019 Fill a colander or strainer with gravel. Aquarium cleaning is a routine that you can’t avoid, even with the most sophisticated filtering systems. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), link to 7 Best Fish for 1 Gallon Tank (Complete Guide), link to How to Acclimate New Aquarium Fish? Instead, sterilize items by washing them with hot water. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Now fill the tank with clean, cold tap water. If you have very fine-grit gravel, such as sand, don't stick the vacuum all the way down. If you are using a Python, or a similar type, simply turn the water off the stop siphoning. There are times when the aquarium gravel doesn’t need to be cleaned. Acclimating fishes has long been a subject for discussion. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If an aquarist decides to reposition the plants within the tank, they can be easily removed and positioned in a completely different configuration. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1240197-v4-728px-Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"