Habitat - Indoor :: How do you guys empty and clean your aquariums?

[combatbaby]

Hey all,

I have a 20gal tank and whenever it gets grungy/starts growing algae I empty all the water, scrub it down, and refill it. However, I'm not sure if what I'm doing is the most safe or efficient. The tank's in my bedroom and the biggest container I have to empty it are 1gal coffee cans. So I have to dump out the water 1 gallon at a time. :/ There's gotta a be a better way to do this...any suggestions apart than using a bigger container, which I'm planning on doing?

Also, what cleaners and materials do you use that are safest? I hose off the tank after I clean it, but just in case I'd like to know that whatever I'm using won't harm the turtle? Is there anything gentle that kills germs and grime?

[francinemarie]

i have a 50 gallon tank in my room on the 2nd floor , so i have a hard time too. may i suggest that you buy a huge bucket & use a python or siphon to transfer the water from the tank to the bucket. And then dump the water somewhere. i usually don't wait for my tank water to get too dirty to change the water so that i can dump it in my bathroom tub. when i change the water it's not that dirty so i don't think it would be that unsanitary to dump it in the tub in my bathroom. i'm not sure if you want to try that , but that's what i do indstead of walking up & down the stairs.

And maybe to prevent constant wash outs of the tank, maybe you can try using a water conditioner. it also helps keep the tank clean, but you should still continue doing your wash outs.

[imderanged]

You really shouldn't have to change all the water at the same time. If you do that your tank won't cycle. The "cycle" is important for biological filtration. Try changing 25% of the water more often so the tank doesn't get nasty. (using a syphon to remove the water)
As for the cleaning agents, any time I need to clean something that is going in the tank, I use a vinegar solution.

[combatbaby]

imderanged:

I'm aware...but I'm depending on my parents' income and they refuse to buy me replacement filter cartridges on a regular basis. I'm gonna have to start buying in bulk.

Thanks!

EDIT: And thanks for your suggestions, francinemarie!

[Chrisbarnett]

Wait what kind of filter do you have? Filter cartrdidges can be washed over and over again.

[combatbaby]

I had a Topfin 30 filter until yesterday (I know, not powerful enough for a 20 gallon tank), but I just got a Marineland Biowheel filter for up to 50 gallons today.

Can you really wash the cartridges? Mine get pretty dang grody really quickly.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah you can. I have washed them out more than 10-15 times before. Still work good.

[Mandyb]

i have a 40 gallon and i have a 20L bucket and a siphon hose. Then i lug the huge bucket of water into the bathroom and dump it into the toilet. Poop goes there anyways lol.

[mccuen]

We have a 60 gallon tank and use a python and a 5 gallon bucket. Then we dump it into the yard. We take out three 5 gallon bucket sizes about once a week (slowly working up to doing it once a month). The last time we completely drained it and cleaned it out we used a vinegar solution also and that was about 4 months ago.

[queenjane]

I have found that the simple shredded polyester filter fiber works better than the stupid cartridges since turtles are so nasty and the filters never seem to really keep up with them. I clean the tank once a week with a net and that seems to do more to keep the water clear than the filter does.

I went out of town for Christmas and when I left the water was pretty cloudy. I trashed the filter cartridge and didn't have anything but polyester fiber to refilll the filter with, so I did the best I could. I bought anachris and eight feeder fish to keep Tank healthy while I was gone, and when I returned, the water was even clearer than when I had left it. The anachris was destroyed but on the whole, the water was less murky looking than it had been a week ago. Weird.

A lot of the time I lose water to evaporation, so that helps me to cycle the water in the tank. If it gets really gross I usually get a bucket and drain it into my kichen sink and then wash the tank out in my shower. (I live in an apartment, so I do the best I can.)

If your tank is near an area that gets a lot of sunlight, I strongly recommend moving it. I used to keep mine near the window because it was warm and Tank seemed to like it, but algae proliferated in that tank like you would not believe. Since I have moved it, I haven't had a single trace of algae.

[cassharper]

I have had good luck with using the Polyfill material sold at walmart, micheals, hobby lobby, etc made fo filling up pillows. You should have to be sure you get non-treated (if it says flame retardent, that's a no go). Then again, filter floss is cheap too. I usually use a canister on mine with 2-3 levels of sponges, a couple levels of bio media and some PURA chem-mats. Keeps the water pretty clear.

FWIW, sponges and just sponges. Take them out of the filter and wring them out in some syphoned off tank water over and over again. Stick em back in and VOILA.

[cykatheres]

I have to clean my tank out once a month. The cuttlebone gets in the bottom of the tank. I have a 50 gallonl tank with a "for the moment" Fluval4 plus filter. With some of my income tax money I will get a Rena xp3 or4. I do weekly partial water changes also. But I don't like the bottom looking a mess. I use a small bucket to dip the water out of the tank. I then pour that into another bucket filling it up as much as possible and take the water to the laundry room and dump it in the sink. I do that until I can't get any more from the tank with the bucket. I then use a small takeout container to get some of whats left. Then I use a rag and ring it out until all of the water is gone. I use a water and vinegar solution to clean and a scouring pad for the glass stains and rinse well about 3 times. Then clean the basking platform, log. rocks and filter. And then take a 5 gallon size empty water bottle to refill the tank and then add Reptisafe water conditioner. Then I have to wait for the water to heat up some so I can place Cyka back in her tank. A lot of work. But I love her.

[wendell]

I net any uneaten food and doo doos out daily, and if there is small debris I syphon along the bottom into a 5 gal bucket..then after the "silt" settles I pour the top water back in and dump the silty water outside. I always have conditioned water in a 5 gal bucket beside the tank to top off the water level. I use the cleaner water from water changes for my houseplants. Make sure if you clean with vinegar to rinse very well afterwards.

[ilcapo21]

Python is a God send!!!! Seriously best piece of aquarium equipment ive ever purchased.

[blackforces get you]

my water stays crystal clear. my xp3 didn't work as well once i got it. now, its working well pumping the water and its much more cleaner than before. i hope my dad dint put chlorine in it