If you’re a new fish tank owner, you may be surprised by how quickly the water gets cloudy and dirty. A filmy layer can develop on the glass within days of setting up a new aquarium. Algae begins growing wherever it can get a foothold. The gravel soon looks like it hasn’t been vacuumed in weeks. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it?
The Nitrogen Cycle
The main reason fish tanks get dirty so quickly is because of a process called the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle refers to the conversion of toxic ammonia from fish waste and uneaten food into nitrite and eventually nitrate. This cycle happens naturally in all aquariums as beneficial bacteria colonize the tank and begin breaking down organic matter.
In a new tank, these bacteria are just starting to establish themselves. Their populations are not large enough to handle the amount of ammonia being produced. Ammonia essentially burns the gills of fish and interferes with oxygen exchange. High ammonia levels lead to rapid gill damage, disease, and death.
As the bacteria multiply, they convert ammonia first into nitrite. Nitrite is also highly toxic to fish, but somewhat less so than ammonia. With time, bacteria develop that convert nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate is far less toxic than ammonia or nitrite at moderate levels. However, nitrate will still build up to dangerous concentrations if allowed to do so.
The cycling process can take 4-8 weeks in a brand new tank. During this time, ammonia and nitrite levels may fluctuate wildly. Frequent water changes are necessary to dilute their concentrations. Once the populations of beneficial bacteria have grown enough to handle the bioload, ammonia and nitrite will decline to undetectable levels.
How to Speed Up Cycling
There are a few things you can do to help your tank cycle faster:
- Use a bacterial additive that contains Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter species. These are the primary bacteria responsible for the conversion of ammonia into nitrite and nitrate.
- Add some filter media from an established tank. The beneficial bacteria live on all tank surfaces, especially the filter.
- Do frequent partial water changes to manually remove ammonia and nitrite.
- Test the water daily and dose bottled bacteria when ammonia or nitrite spikes.
- Reduce feedings to minimize waste production during the cycle.
Cycling will still take some time, but you can accelerate the process with the steps above. Be sure to test the water frequently to monitor your progress.
Why Does Algae Grow So Quickly?
Algae is able to grow rapidly in new tanks for a few reasons:
- Excess Nutrients – Fish waste and uneaten food release phosphates and nitrates into the water, both of which feed algae growth.
- Too Much Light – Leaving tank lights on for more than 8-10 hours per day gives algae all the energy it needs to bloom.
- Lack of Competition – Without sufficient plant growth or algae-eating fish, algae has no competition for resources.
- New Surfaces – The clean glass and decor of a new tank provide ideal places for algae to attach and colonize.
Managing nutrients, light, and algae eaters will help control algae growth. Use a timer to keep the lighting period short. Do frequent water changes and limit feeding to remove excess nutrients the algae depends on. Introduce algae eaters like plecos, otocinclus catfish, Amano shrimp or snails. Their grazing helps keep algae under control. Plants also compete with algae, so add plenty of fast-growing stem plants.
How to Keep a Fish Tank Clean
While a new tank will inevitably show some signs of cloudiness and algae growth during the cycling process, there are steps you can take to keep the aquarium as clean as possible:
Regular Maintenance
- Test water parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate weekly and correct any problems.
- Change 10-25% of the water weekly, or more during cycling. Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris.
- Clean filter media in tank water monthly to remove gunk without killing beneficial bacteria.
- Wipe down glass algae weekly with an aquarium scraper or pad.
- Trim plants to remove dying leaves and stems.
- Thin out gravel layers to prevent buildup of rotten debris.
Reduce Nutrient Excess
- Feed fish only once per day, only as much as they can eat in a few minutes.
- Remove uneaten food promptly to avoid decomposition.
- Avoid overstocking the tank which increases waste.
- Use plants and algae eaters to utilize nutrients before algae can.
- Use chemical filter media like activated carbon or phosphate removers.
Control Lighting
- Use an automatic timer to keep lights on no more than 8-10 hours per day.
- Introduce floating plants that block light from reaching the lower portions of the tank.
- Position tank away from sources of natural sunlight that can promote additional algae growth.
Use Algae-Eating Species
- Include clean-up crew like snails, shrimp and algae-eating fish to graze on algae.
- Avoid overfeeding these cleaners which increases nutrients.
- Add plants as they can outcompete algae for resources.
Staying on top of tank maintenance, limiting excess nutrients and controlling light will help any aquarium stay cleaner. Test kits are crucial for monitoring your water quality and catching problems early. With time and patience, a new tank will stabilize and become crystal clear after the initial cycling process.
How Often Should I Clean My Fish Tank?
Here are some general guidelines for how often to perform basic cleaning and maintenance on your aquarium:
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Water changes | Weekly, 25% |
| Gravel vacuuming | Monthly |
| Filter media rinsing | Monthly |
| Glass algae scraping | Weekly |
| Decor scrubbing | Monthly |
| Water testing | Weekly |
| Plant trimming | Monthly |
However, these are general guidelines only. The actual cleaning frequency should be tailored to your specific aquarium’s stocking level and nutrient load:
- Heavily stocked tanks – Do water changes and filter cleaning twice per month.
- Lightly stocked tanks – Can reduce water changes to every 2 weeks.
- Planted tanks – May need less frequent gravel cleaning.
- Tanks with algae issues – Clean glass and decor weekly to control algae.
- New tanks – Need more frequent water changes during nitrogen cycle.
The best way to determine your optimal cleaning schedule is to observe your tank. If water gets cloudy within a few days of a water change, you need to clean more often. Pay attention to how quickly waste builds up in the gravel and filter. Adjust your cleaning routines accordingly to keep the tank sparkling.
How to Clean a Fish Tank Step-by-Step
Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning and maintaining a freshwater aquarium:
1. Assemble Equipment
Gather the following supplies:
- Gravel vacuum
- Algae scraper or pad
- Bucket for water changes
- Dechlorinator
- Filter media cleaning supplies
- Aquarium test kits
- Old towels
- Fish net
2. Test Water Parameters
Use test kits to measure levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, hardness, etc. Record results to observe trends and correct any problems.
3. Remove Decorations
Temporarily remove decor like driftwood, rocks, tank ornaments, etc. This gives better access to the gravel.
4. Vacuum Gravel
Use a gravel vacuum to suck up debris from the substrate. Target areas with the most gunk buildup. Vacuum until the water runs clear.
5. Clean Decor
Scrub decorations with an old toothbrush to remove algae growth. Rinse well before returning items to the tank.
6. Scrape Algae
Use an algae scraper or pad to wipe all glass surfaces clean of any algae or debris.
7. Drain Water
Use the gravel vacuum to remove the correct amount of water from the tank. Remove 25-50% of the total volume.
8. Rinse Filters
Take filter media out and gently rinse in the old tank water. This removes accumulated gunk while preserving beneficial bacteria.
9. Add Dechlorinator
Add dechlorinator to the new water first before adding it to the tank. Use the dose recommended on the bottle.
10. Refill Tank
Slowly add the new water to the tank, being careful not to disturb plants or displace gravel.
11. Replace Items
Put back in all decorations, tank ornaments and filter media.
12. Check Water Parameters
Test pH, ammonia, nitrites, temperature and other parameters to make sure all is well after the water change.
13. Remove Algae and Debris
In following days, continue removing any algae or debris you see accumulating in the tank.
How Much Work is an Aquarium?
Caring for an aquarium does require a regular time commitment. Here is an estimate of how much time various tasks typically take:
| Task | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Water changes | 15-20 minutes weekly |
| Filter cleaning | 10-15 minutes monthly |
| Glass algae scraping | 5-10 minutes weekly |
| Gravel vacuuming | 10-15 minutes monthly |
| Plant trimming | 10-20 minutes monthly |
| Testing water | 5-10 minutes weekly |
So in total, expect to spend:
- 30-60 minutes per week on regular maintenance
- 60-90 minutes monthly on deeper cleanings
Additional time will be required for:
- Tank setup and breakdown for moves
- Major aquascaping changes
- Dealing with algae outbreaks or fish illnesses
- Shopping for supplies and equipment
Daily requirements are relatively minimal, mostly just feeding fish, inspecting the tank and removing algae/debris as needed. But weekly and monthly maintenance is essential for maintaining water quality and cleanliness. Hire a fish sitter if traveling regularly.
Tips for Cleaning a Fish Tank
Follow these tips for cleaning your aquarium properly and efficiently:
- Clean when fish are active – this stresses them less.
- Never wash anything with soap – it can harm fish.
- Siphon water into buckets first before dumping.
- Scrub decor in old tank water only.
- Rinse filters gently to avoid killing bacteria.
- Wipe algae off slowly and carefully.
- Never wash anything under tap – chlorine kills bacteria.
- Always dechlorinate new water before adding.
- Always wash hands thoroughly before and after.
- Gravel vacuum deeper areas to reach trapped debris.
- Clean one section of glass at a time.
- Watch fish behavior to learn when they dislike cleaning.
Develop a consistent cleaning routine and stick to it. Always use clean equipment dedicated just for the aquarium. Work slowly during cleanings to minimize stress. With practice, you can clean efficiently while keeping the tank environment stable.
How to Maintain a Clean Fish Tank
Here are some tips for maintaining clean water between full cleanings:
- Test water 1-2 times per week and correct any chemical imbalances.
- Use activated carbon in the filter to remove discoloration.
- Change 10-15% of water at least every 2 weeks.
- Wipe down glass when you notice algae starting to grow.
- Remove uneaten food within an hour after feeding.
- Rinse filters weekly in old tank water to prevent clogs.
- Use filter media like phosphate removers that adsorb dissolved wastes.
- Add biological cleaners and bacterial supplements to break down organics.
- Introduce algae eating fish and invertebrates to graze algae.
- Maintain proper tank density to prevent bioload exceeding capacity.
Don’t wait until the tank looks dirty to do maintenance. Stay on top of minor cleaning tasks before they turn into major problems. Keeping an aquarium clean takes diligence and consistency, but cultivating these habits will lead to a healthy, thriving tank.
Conclusion
New tanks often go through an ugly phase as they cycle, algae blooms, and debris accumulates. But with routine maintenance, you can minimize the unsightly buildup and keep your aquarium water clear. Test water frequently, change it weekly, scrub algae before it takes over, and rinse filters regularly. Reduce feeding, stock lightly, add algae eaters and use chemical media too. Observe your tank closely to fine-tune your cleaning schedule. It takes vigilance and persistence to care for a tank, but the rewards of a dazzling, healthy aquarium make it all worthwhile.