Habitat - Indoor :: cleaning tank

[cam722]

Carol, I think the size of the tank has something to do with how dirty it gets too...I wouldn't let mine get slimey and real dirty, but if I had a small one, I'm sure that happens faster than you can stop it!

I think the key is siphoning the bottom and checking your levels before they can spike. I actually think the fish in my tank are helping the bottom stay clean and contribute to the bilogical filtration.

I totally agree with you on this one Scott.. I know quite a shock isn't it??
I think the more space they have, the less cleaning you have to do, another good reason for a larger enclosure and adequate filtration.

[JessicaTS]

I have 2 200, a 275, and a 300 gallon tanks. I do 100% water changes every two weeks and change the filter every three weeks

[cam722]

Oh well, each to their own, I just don't see a need to tear down a tank when you can do it all without that.... maybe I'm just lazy or take the easiest route to the task at hand.

I use to totally clean out .. 100% changes on the 20L tank but that had 3 turtles all 3" or a bit larger and it was always a mess. Just see no need in doing it to the large one when the water tests perfect for everything (except being a bit on the hard side) and there's no algae or other gunk growing in it. *shrug* but that's me.

[3walcks]

actually i have never checked for those. never had any problems with mine and when i first got into the fish tank thing they only recomended that i do the ph and amonia. I have noticed in the water conditioner that i got same kind i always get but it says new formula with nitrban nitrate reduction granuals. i guess i just never noticed to check it before but then i guess i never had any problems with it either. I worked at pets mart till i got pregnant and then i am good friends with people who own their own fish supply company( they supply fish stores) and i homestly dont think one of them ever told me to check them ! thats funny! maybe i should go get a test but then again like i said i have had great luck with the tanks i even was hatching my angle fishes eggs they layed in an hatching tank. this was probly the hardest thing i have ever tried to do. then the angels quit laying eggs so havent been able do do it again. I have a 27 or 37 hexagon tank that i am trying to figure out what I want to put in it. was thinking about doing a salt water tank but when i asked the local pet store what cost would be i definatly cant afford to put $ 400 into a tank right now just to set it up not including fish. i think i am going to stick with my tropical fish that i have had good luck with.

[JessicaTS]

It's always easier in the summer, I let most of my turts in kiddie pools. So I only have to do one 100% water change for each tank (a few days before I let them back into their tank) Maybe it's just my turtles because they are messy like toddlers. I always thought, more turtles in one tank, more frequent cleaning.
I have my ndbs in a 200, my res and rio grande in the 300, my snakenecks in the other 200, and my sidenecks in a 275

But I don't break my back cleaning out their tank and I don't mind doing a full clean when just a water change is necessary.

[3walcks]

kermie's tank i clean at least once a week i do almost a full tank water change. i use that suction thing and clean alot of the gunk on the bottom then when i put the new water in i just stir the water up some and let the filters get the rest then the next day i change the filters.

[marisa]

I have a 110-gallon stock tank filled with about 80 gallons of water. I went from January to July without doing a complete water change. I did a major cleaning in July and will do one again after Christmas when the stock tank is again set up (my poor RES will have to go to a smaller tank for the holidays). I check the ammonia and nitrite levels weekly when I do a partial water change (and the bottom is vacuumed). I clean the filter monthly, and have extra biomedia in it.

I think if the tank is large, you keep up with testing and partial water changes and have a good filter with plenty of biomedia, it makes a difference in how often you have to completely clean the tank.