One of the favorite topics for discussion among fish breeders is the discussion on how to properly clean the aquarium. In this case, there is a range of opinions from the self-cleaning system with the help of some species of fish-nurses and to the certainty of individual adherents of a complete water change. We must immediately note that none of the extremes is optimal, and the best way out, as usual, is the "golden mean".
How often should I clean the aquarium?
The main rule: cleaning the aquarium can not be carried out the first one and a half - two months after the colonization of space by fish and flora. During this period, an internal microbacterial medium is formed and the water from the tap water turns into fish conditioned, that is, suitable for the inhabitants. During this period, the owners should carefully remove the dead leaves of plants and top up the evaporating water. After the "first" period, it should be cleaned about once a week. At the same time for large aquariums exceeding 200 liters, the period can increase to two weeks, and for small aquariums (30 liters) it can be reduced to two times a week.
How to clean the aquarium?
- Cleaning is started by switching off all electrical appliances for safety reasons.
- Then choose how and what to clean the glass in the aquarium: at your disposal are blades, sponges or nylon wool. Keep in mind that for plexiglas suitable only sponge kitchen sponges.
- After the glasses proceed to the flora: they shake off the settled plaque, remove the rotten cuttings, transplant if necessary.
- As for how to clean the ground in the aquarium, then to rationally answer this question you will need an additional device: a watering can or a "tedder". Ask more experienced aquarists what it is. Let's just say that the principle of cleaning the ground is comparable with the process of draining gasoline from the tank of the car: unnecessary sludge and large contaminants merge into a previously prepared container along with part of the water. It is recommended to remove a fifth of the volume of the aquarium at a time. In this case, the vacant space is filled with fresh water taken from the tap.
- If you did everything right, then the aquarium begins to smell with fresh grass. This is the only possible
in this case the fragrance.
As for how to clean the filter in an aquarium, then here is a separate consideration of the very question of the need for such an adaptation. After all, about twenty years ago, they did not know much about him, and the fish, however, were fine. If you want to hedge - choose a filter and a schedule for cleaning it together with a specialist and taking into account a particular aquarium. Only in this case, it does not harm the microflora, but will become a reliable ally in the struggle for the well-being of your domestic underwater inhabitants.