| Maintenance of a clean freshwater aquarium does | | | | new razor to carefully scrape the algae away. |
| not have to be complicated. In fact, when done | | | | Next you should shut down your pump and |
| regularly, aquarium maintenance can be an easy | | | | remove your filter. Bring the bucket with your |
| and enjoyable task. | | | | decorations to a sink and rinse them off. Again, |
| One of the best things you can do for the health | | | | you should not use chemicals. Simple water will do. |
| of your fish is to regularly change the water in | | | | If there is algae on these things, you can rub your |
| your aquarium. It is important to do this once a | | | | fingers against them vigorously to remove it. |
| week. Never use abrasive cleaners or household | | | | If you have followed the above steps carefully, it |
| products on your aquarium. These will disrupt the | | | | is time to use your gravel cleaner. While |
| chemical balances your fish need. Additionally, you | | | | instructions will vary by manufacturer, the best |
| should never just add tap water to a freshwater | | | | approach will be to place the cleaner at the |
| aquarium. The abrupt change in water | | | | bottom of the rocks. Watch as the water and |
| temperature can send your fish into shock. | | | | debris travels through the siphon. When the water |
| Changing the water is an essential part of keeping | | | | is clear, move the cleaner to the next spot and |
| your aquarium clean. The process does not have | | | | follow the same steps as before. Follow this |
| to be daunting. In fact, it can be broken down into | | | | process until you have extracted twenty-five to |
| several easy to follow steps. | | | | thirty percent of the water in your aquarium. |
| First start by disconnecting your aquarium heater. | | | | Now take the temperature of the water. Make a |
| Then transfer your decorations - including any | | | | note of it and adjust your tap water until it is the |
| artificial plants - into a brand new bucket. It is | | | | same temperature. Once you have adequate |
| important that you use a bucket that is new and | | | | water, add it to the aquarium. (Note: If your |
| reserved only for cleaning your aquarium. If you | | | | water is chlorinated, you will need to add |
| use your bucket for other purposes, you may | | | | de-chlorinator to your aquarium first.) |
| inadvertently expose your fish to harsh chemicals | | | | Add your decorations to your aquarium and |
| resulting in disease or death. | | | | replace your filter. Connect your heater and turn |
| Now take an algae sponge (note: you can | | | | on your pump. |
| purchase one from your local pet store) and | | | | Remember that it is not just cleaning it but the |
| carefully scrub inside of your aquarium. If the | | | | way you clean it that can make an aquarium a |
| algae is difficult to remove, you might try using a | | | | comfortable place for your fish to live. |