OUTPOST23 Camping and Fishing

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How to Clean a Saltwater Aquariums

In order to keep saltwater fish tanks healthy, clean and attractive, the owner must be committed to doing the work that's required. Aquariums come in a variety of sizes and styles, and the simpler your setup, the easier it will be to maintain. Videos available on the Internet instruct their viewers on the proper cleaning and maintenance techniques for a saltwater tank. The main issues are algae growing on the glass and food particles and other debris that settles into the gravel or sand (the substrate) at the bottom of the tank. The aquarium's filters must also be cleaned on a regular basis.

Before you start, gather up all the items you'll need. If you want to remove your fish from your aquarium while you're cleaning, you'll need a large bucket or small, temporary tank to put them in. You won't need to do this unless you have a very dirty or contaminated tank. If you do temporarily remove your fish from the tank, it's suggested that you take out as much as a quarter of the water to remove some of the contaminants. The water you remove can be used in your temporary container for your fish to swim in while you're cleaning.

Turn off the aquarium's heater and let it cool before taking it out. This step will help you avoid breakage due to a sudden change in temperature. You'll only need to do this if your heater has become dirty and cleaning it will help it run more efficiently. You can clean the inside of the glass in a couple of ways. A sponge with a long handle will work, but if the algae are bad, you can use a scraper if you're careful not to scratch the glass. Use a siphon to remove debris and food particles from the substrate. Manual siphons and siphons with pumps attached can be purchased at the aquarium store. If you're a newbie, ask an employee to explain how to use the one you buy. Once you start up the siphon, push the large tube into the substrate and give it a slight wiggle. This technique will stir up the debris, which will then be sucked up through the siphon and into the container you're using to hold the dirty water. Be careful not to siphon up any of the creatures living in your tank.

Move the siphon all over the tank's bottom by lifting it and then re-inserting it into the substrate. Continue doing that until most of the substrate has been cleaned. If you have a smaller aquarium, you can move your rocks or other decorations to get to the gravel better. Simply replace the decorations once you've cleaned their location. If you want to rearrange anything, this is a good time to do it. Try not to disturb the roots of any plants, however.

Cleaning the filters is the next step of cleaning your aquarium. Remove and clean the foam pads with de-chlorinated water. Replace them once they're clean. Taking out up to a quarter of the water in the aquarium is a quick, efficient method to reduce the amount of contaminants. The fresh water you add back in should be de-chlorinated, the same temperature as the old water, and have the right salt density. Mix the salt thoroughly into the fresh water and use a tester to ensure the salt content is the proper 1.025. Pour the new water slowly into the aquarium so you don't stress your fish or disturb the environment.

Maintenance of salt water aquariums should only take 1 to 1 1/2 hrs every 1-2 weeks. Keep a close watch for sickness or sluggishness of the fish and separate any that show signs of sickness as soon as possible to keep the rest of the fish healthy. Basic foam brushing of the glass and filter will reduce the frequency that major cleaning is needed. If there is a lot of food on the bottom of the tank/aquarium then cut back on the amount of food given. Fish do not eat large quantities but prefer small amounts a bit more frequently. Larger and more diverse salt water aquariums such as "reef" aquariums require much more sophisticated filtration systems and serious cleaning of these may require hiring a professional. Regular maintenance is well worth the effort by keeping the inhabitants of the aquarium healthy, vibrant and a joy to watch.

About the author:
John Wilson is an avid aquarist with many years of experience in keeping tropical fish. He maintains many aquariums full of the rarest tropical fish in the world.
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