How To Clean/Remove Algae From Fish Tank (Aquarium) Guide



Do you have difficulty cleaning the algae from the fish tank?

Do you know which are the most effective ways?

You are in the right place!

Here you will learn the best and the most effective ways on how to remove algae from the aquarium. 

Tetra Aquarium Fish Tank Kit

Things You Need To Remove Algae From Fish Tank Glass

1.Algae Scraper

Algae scraper is most commonly used to remove algae. He usually removes all algae as well as dust and dirt from the decorations in the cage. You will need to squeeze this scraper harder to remove everything well. Also, when the weather is warmer, the algae will go down more easily. Liveek aquarium aquascape tools kit is one of the best for this use. Buy algae scrapers at a pet store. You can buy them in a variety of places, but those purchased at an animal store do not contain soaps in them, and soaps are dangerous to fish. There are many algae in every fish tank. Have you ever wondered how many goldfish are in a 20-gallon tank? And could you imagine how much algae and dust would be there?

2.Razor Blade 

Razorblade is useful for glass aquariums. You don’t have to worry about it being destroyed or scratched. It will easily remove algae, and will not leave traces of scraping. But do not use it if you have an acrylic tank as it will leave traces of cleaning on it. This device is very sharp, and no strong pressures are required if you use a razor blade for a glass aquarium. The razor blade shatters on the glass, weak pressures and pulls are enough.

3.Bleach

The easiest way to clean items in the aquarium is with bleach. Mix nine cups of water after a tablespoon of bleach. Place this mixture in a larger container and place all the items from the aquarium in it. This will make it easier to clean all items without much effort. When you put bleach in the aquarium, you must be careful because it can damage it, after using bleach, all objects, including the aquarium, must be air-dried for 24 hours.

4.Lime Remover

This product will help you to clean quickly and is very effective. Contains lemon juice and ordinary vinegar. Vinegar is also good if you want to know what home remedy will keep cats from scratching furniture. You can also assemble this product at home, or you can buy it. After use, it will also leave a pleasant smell. It will clean all stains and give shine to your aquarium. This product is also good for cleaning the bathroom.

5.Filter Media And Brush

Filter media is a medium that you put in the aquarium filter to allow purified water to enter the aquarium. It is needed in every aquarium to keep the fish clean. Cotton wool will be of great help to you, you can buy it at affordable prices, but you will have to change it often. You need to buy a few filter cleaning brushes. There are various types of these brushes, but each one is useful. For example, a thin brush allows you to thoroughly clean the filter inside, where water cannot flush it.

6.Chlorine Remover

To get rid of chlorine in the water you need potassium metabisulfite tablets. One such tablet can purify chlorine in 20 liters of water. The procedure is not expensive but it is effective. Chlorine is not good for fish, so remove it before you put the fish in the aquarium. 

7.Paper Towels

Paper towels are best for cleaning algae from a fish tank as well as for cleaning aquariums in general. You can use them to clean the inside of the aquarium from stains and water residue. Also, paper towels will improve the look of the aquarium and will polish it. If the aquarium is dry, soak paper towels, then wipe everything with a dry towel. Do not use hazardous chemicals or soap as it is harmful to fish.

8.Water Siphon

The siphon is good to have for several reasons. It will come in handy when you change the water with fish. You will find it easier to clean the aquarium even before you are done. Also, all waste, old food, grease, plants will be more easily damaged from the aquarium with the help of a siphon. If you buy it separately, you will need to set aside more money. 

cleaning

Cleaning Steps

1.Inside Glass

Start with the inside of the aquarium. Most algae are present there, so you will need to get rid of them first. Take an algae scraper and try to remove as many algae as possible. If you have a deep aquarium, buy a long more scrub to make it as easy as possible to clean all the places in the aquarium. For algae that you can’t eliminate try using a razor blade, but be careful the amount you put around. If you have an acrylic aquarium, use a plastic blade razor. Be careful with its use because it is very sharp and you can easily cut yourself. When cleaning the inside of the aquarium, make sure to remove all items from it, including decorations. It is important to clean each part of the aquarium thoroughly to keep the fish comfortable and clean.

2.Decorations And Rocks

When you have removed all the decorations and stones from the aquarium, place them on a base or in a container. Algae can also be caught on these items, so remove them first. Remove dust with water or bleach. Pour warm water into the bowl and put all the items in it, let it soak, and then remove the dirt with an algae scraper. If the dirt can’t be removed with it, then use bleach. Be careful in what proportion you put the bleach in the water. Large amounts of bleach can cause damage to some objects and the aquarium itself. It would be best to use a 9: 1 ratio. On nine amounts of water, put one bleach. For example, take nine glasses of water to one tablespoon of bleach. Allow objects to soak in it or run a few times over the dirty area. After that, wash everything once more in water and leave it to dry well. Do not use soaps to clean decorations and ornamental grasses as the soap could seriously harm the fish.

3.Gravel

Next in line is the gravel. It is harder to clean with your hands, so a water siphon will come in handy. He will suck up all the rubbish, dirt, and rubbish from the gravel. There are several types of gravel you can use. There is a gravel siphon that will remove debris without sucking up gravel. Make sure you go through the entire surface of the gravel so you can clean up all the trash. With this procedure, you will also remove the water, and you must replace that water with dechlorinated water, which will cause a change in the amount of water and its impact. When changing the water, or when adding the rest of the water, you need to pay attention to the water temperature. The water you put in the aquarium must be the same temperature as the water in the aquarium. Turn off the aquarium heater when changing the water as the air created during the change can damage it. The water change will depend on the amount of fish you have, how quickly the aquarium gets dirty, and how clean the fish are. Aquariums are usually cleaned every month, but it would be best if you cleaned them every two weeks.

4.Outside Glass

This is followed by cleaning the outside of the aquarium. In addition to these parts, you can also clean the light, hood, and tank top. Do not use chemicals and sprays that you normally use to clean window glass. These cleaners will easily polish the aquarium, but they contain a lot of harmful substances that will adversely affect the health of your fish. It would be best to use vinegar. It will serve well in removing stains, fingerprints, and the aquarium will shine after you polish it. Use paper towels when wiping as they will not leave dust or stains. Do not use soaps because they will be difficult to wash off, and they will not be as effective. If you buy other cleaning products, buy them at a reputable place and make sure they are safe for fish and other animals. Fish are very sensitive, and many cleaners are toxic and life-threatening.

5.Filter

Once you have cleaned all the parts of the aquarium, and after the other parts have dried well, you can put each part back in its place. Return the fish to the aquarium as well because it is not yet time to clean the filter. If they started cleaning the filter immediately, they would disrupt the development of bacteria. There would be very few good bacteria left, and they would not be able to fight the bad ones that have formed in this system. Three weeks is enough for everything to return to normal, and you can then start cleaning the filter. After three weeks you also need to replace the filter media containing carbon if you have one. Prepare warm water to make it easier to clean the filter. The filter has several parts, and the most difficult is to clean the filter tube. You will need a thin brush to be able to remove all the dirt.

To Sum Up

Here you could learn how to remove algae from the aquarium. You need to prepare all the necessary tools, paper towels, brushes, and a couple of utensils in which to clean smaller items. You have to be careful with the agents you use because fish are very sensitive to chemicals. At the end of cleaning, rinse everything well with water so that no chemicals remain on the walls of the aquarium. If you’re searching for a new fish tank, check the offer of the best saltwater safe aquariums and best-rated planted goldfish tanks.



Joana
Joana has graduated in Linguistics in 2014. and began her work experience as a journalist and freelance writer. Her professional writing experience, as well as experience with pets, brought her to Petovly where she’s an editor. Working on the site, she collaborates with vets and animal shelter workers she has met when she was volunteering as a student. This experience made her an expert in pets’ care, breeds, and diseases.