Changing the water regularly is a fundamental part of freshwater aquarium maintenance. Replacing some of the water in your tank allows you to control waste and toxin levels more closely. In the process of changing the water, you have to prepare clean water and suck up the dirty water. You can also take this opportunity to clean the gravel and algae growing on the walls of the tank. Slowly adding water to the tank will keep the water change process from affecting the fish and make the tank look brighter.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Aquarium for Water Change
Step 1. Pretreat the tap water
Fill a clean bucket with tap water. Follow the directions on the water conditioner bottle and pre-treat it before the cleaning process. The water conditioner removes harmful chemicals and metal residues so the water is safe for fish.
- Go ahead if you want to prepare two plastic buckets and use them specifically for aquarium maintenance. You can even label the body of the bucket "fish".
- Some people prefer to refill the aquarium with water straight from the tap. This step may be easier, but fish are also more at risk of exposure to harmful chemicals in the water. To reduce this possibility, let the tap water run for about 5 minutes before filling the bucket.
Step 2. Unplug the lamp and heating device for the aquarium
To maintain safety, it is best to minimize the presence of electricity as you will also be working with water outside the aquarium. So, remove the aquarium cover and the electrically powered lighting system. Reach into the aquarium and remove any exposed heating system components.
Step 3. Unplug it from the mains and clean the filter
Many water filters must be completely submerged in water to function properly. So, it's best to disconnect the power from the filter before cleaning it. You do not need to clean or replace cartridges, sponges, or other components every time you clean the aquarium. Check the condition of the device first, then flush it with cold water or replace it entirely if necessary.
Changing the filter too often can be disastrous for the aquarium because it removes the good bacteria that has accumulated. To minimize the consequences of changing the filter, you can purchase gravel, or sand, to which the bacteria culture has been added
Step 4. Remove dirty decorations and artificial plants
You also don't have to clean the aquarium accessories every time you change the water. Doing so can interfere with the accumulation of good bacteria in the aquarium. However, if the accessory looks very sticky or dirty, you can place it in a bucket and soak it in a plant cleaning solution.
- Never wash plants or other decorative components with soap. Chemical residues from soap can be harmful to fish and can lead to algae outbreaks.
- You can also soak plants and decorative components in a mixture of bleach and water. Add 1-2 tablespoons of bleach for each bucket of water.
Step 5. Scrub the walls of the aquarium
Every time you change the water, check to see if the tank needs cleaning. See if there is a green or brown coating on the walls of the aquarium. Before emptying the tank, use an algae sponge or a glass cleaner to scrub the walls of the tank and remove any residue.
Part 2 of 3: Changing the Water
Step 1. Use an automatic water changer
This method is the most efficient and widely preferred method for replacing some of the water, especially in larger aquariums. Attach the device directly to the faucet, then insert one of the suction-equipped hoses into the aquarium. The device will automatically suck water automatically, until you turn it off. Then, turn on the switch again and insert the faucet hose to refill the aquarium.
- This method is perfect for those who are unable to lift buckets of water to clean the aquarium regularly. In addition, this method minimizes the possibility of water splattering everywhere.
- Before starting the automatic suction process, make sure the temperature of the clean water to be added is the same as the temperature of the water in the aquarium.
Step 2. Use a water vacuum to remove dirt from the substrate
If you do not have an integrated system, you will have to perform a manual water change. Start by placing the end of the suction hose in the bucket. Then, place the suction tip on top of the substrate, usually gravel or sand. Insert the plunger deep into the sand at an angle repeatedly to attract dirt and water.
Don't think you have to clean all the gravel every time you change the water. In fact, it is better to divide the gravel into areas and only clean certain areas each time. This minimizes the impact of the change on the fish
Step 3. Suck water from the aquarium
As you move the plunger in the tank, you'll notice that the bucket begins to fill with dirty gravel and cloudy water. This is normal and predictable. However, don't go too far. Use a vacuum to remove up to 30% of the water. If you exceed this limit, you will seriously change the balance in the aquarium.
For example, if the tank has a capacity of 38 liters, we recommend using a bucket with a capacity of 12 liters to replace the water. This way, you'll know you're removing the right amount of water once the bucket is full
Step 4. Take a closer look at the interior of the aquarium
Once the water in the tank is low, take some time to inspect the inside. If it's not going to take all the decorations out, maybe you can check them one by one to see if anything is damaged. Also make sure all heating and filtration systems are in good condition.
Step 5. Record the temperature of the remaining water in the aquarium
If your tank has a thermometer on the wall, record the temperature of the water after it has been partially removed. Or, you can dip the thermometer directly into the water. Then, check the temperature of the clean water that has been processed and will be added to the aquarium. Make sure the water temperature is the same. Otherwise, you may have to wait a while before changing the water.
Changes in water temperature can make fish more susceptible to disease. Be sure to check the temperature again after adding water to the tank
Step 6. Refill the aquarium with treated water
At this point, you can use a scoop to scoop up the water in the bucket and pour it into the aquarium. Or, you can lift the bucket with both hands and pour it directly into the aquarium.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you don't pour the water too fast and mess up the pebbles and decorations. Some people use their hands, or plates, to slow the flow of water into the aquarium
Step 7. Re-place all decorations and plants
If all the artificial decorations are removed from the tank, you can put them back right before filling the water, or after. You can also use this opportunity to change the arrangement of the aquarium or save decorations to give the aquarium a new look.
Step 8. Reconnect the filtration, heating, and lighting systems
Now, you have to reconnect all the devices that you disconnected before the water change process. Make sure your hands are dry and then plug in and turn on all the devices again. Some types of filters, such as those hanging in an aquarium, require that you add about 1-2 cups of water directly into the system before it can work again.
Step 9. Rinse and store the equipment you use for the water change process
Create a special storage area for aquarium cleaning equipment. Make sure the bucket, glass cleaner, and vacuum dry on their own before storing. Having regular storage procedures will make the equipment last longer and don't need to be replaced regularly.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Aquarium Clean in the Long Term
Step 1. Perform weekly partial water changes
It would be better if you change the water every week or every two weeks consistently. Again, you don't need to change the entire water each time, only about 25-30%. If deemed necessary, you can clean the aquarium thoroughly once a month.
You have to find a balance between keeping the aquarium clean and protecting the health of the fish. Too often, or too infrequently, cleaning an aquarium can have a negative impact on fish health
Step 2. “Reset” the aquarium along with the water change
Making partial changes is also a good way to restore stability to your aquarium after an unusual event, such as a change in decor or a chemical overdose. Feel free to change the water off schedule in this case as it will be very beneficial for the fish.
Step 3. Limit the use of lights
If you keep your aquarium light on all day and every day, it is likely that a very rapid accumulation of algae and debris will occur. Because light helps feed the algae. Therefore, try to keep the lights on for 10-14 hours for an aquarium with live plants or 6-10 hours if using artificial plants.
Step 4. Don't overfeed the fish
Most of the dirt that is sucked out of the gravel is leftover food. To avoid this problem, avoid feeding fish too much, just 1-2 times a day. In addition, you also have to adjust the amount of food given to how much fish consumed.
Tips
- Some people find it helpful to keep regular maintenance records. You can write down the date and percentage of water performed and any other observations you deem important.
- You can recycle dirty aquarium water for watering plants.
- The process of changing the water will get easier and faster once you have a lot of experience. With a little practice, you can clean the largest tank in under an hour.
