How to Clean Your Fish Tank 

Hey guys, this video is randomly getting an uptick in views.... I have learned more about cleaning my fish tank since I made this video and some of the info is incorrect. There are comments which point this out and might be helpful to new fish owners. I’m sorry for the misinformation and have updated my cleaning routines for the health and safety of my beloved fishies!

Reading through the comments people are over-reacting to some things and are correct in other things. You said you’ve learned better tank maintenance, but let’s make sure. 1. No need to take the fish out. 2. Change 50% of the water every two weeks, or 33.3% every week. Make sure it is the same temperature. (Once you have a test kit, you can change this % based on your readings) 3. Your tank was not that dirty. Stirring up the gravel like that will make anyone’s tank look bad 4. You cleaned your ornaments fine. 5. Siphon your gravel in straight motions; ie, straight down into gravel, straight up out of gravel letting it all fall back, then move to next spot. Don’t drag, that’s what stirs all the stuff into the water. 6. Algae is not bad nor dirty. It blocks the view on the front glass and gives a natural patina to decorations. But it’s ok to clean it off the decorations. Of course the front glass - you want to see your fish! 7. Rinse/squeeze your filter pad or sponge in the tank water you take out, thereby losing less of the beneficial bacteria. Never replace it entirely. Try and fit the new one in the filter with the old filter for a few days if you must replace it. 8. Make sure your heater is in water the entire time, or better yet, unplug it while changing water. 9. A small prefilter sponge on your filter intake will make it easier to keep your filter clean. 10. Always use a good water conditioner. There are many. 11. Enjoy your fish daily! Check the temperature. Make sure the filter is running. Lights on a timer. Relax and welcome to fish keeping. As for me, I got my very first tank in 1976. 12. Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

He might be hiding in the corner because there are too many other fish and he feels overwhelmed

Guys, never change 100% of the water and clean your filter at the same time. It kills all the good bacteria. But if you must clean the filter, use the tank water to clean😀

at 4:01 one of her fish tried jumping out of the bowl

Great video. I got a used tank plus accessories today and I was not sure what half the stuff were especially that tool you used to clean the water. Learned so much now I understand everything I have. Thanks so much, great video.

Hi Jade. Anthony here from Scotland. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this. Your diligence and care of the lowly ten gallon aquarium lifted mine spirits greatly. I just subscribed. Thank you again for this. 🌹🍀🐠🐟🍀🌹

Yes, your entire video wasn't 100% accurate but you tried your best and had the best intentions. It was still sweet and entertaining to watch your fish and decorations! : D

Hi, little advice..... don't rinse the decoration, it has good bacteria on it!

God bless your heart, this is exactly how I cleaned my first fish tank😊😊 I had a 13 gallon fish tank with 4 goldfish.. I did this every weekend till I burned myself out and gave up on fish tanks for a couple years..then I gave it another shot and realized I was sooooo wrong😭😭 I now do a 50 percent water change on a 20 long every two weeks which takes around 20 minutes MAX. Aquariums should be as easy n quick as possible since you don't interact with fish like other animals it's easy to burn urself out.

So cute you are talking to your fish 🐠, first time owning a tank with fish, watching a lot of experts videos and yours where easy breeze how to clean it! Thank you 🙏

Try not to take the fish out the tank that stressed them out more. Also do like a 50 percent instead of 75 percent water change 1-2 times a month

Watching this gave me so much anxiety, I would die on the fear my fish die during the whole process

If those other fish happen to be barbs he might be feeling extreme anxiety as bettas tend to be very territory and barbs are known to be fin-nippers

I like the sponge bob setup

Awesome video step by step Thankyou. And props on lifting up that bucket of water like it was nothing! Lol

I did this video step by step rewatched like ten times and all my fish died....got more fish, did more research, and came back and this is not a proper way to do a water change

Hey I know you said you’ve learned a lot. Quick tip, once you’ve had your tank running for a few months it’s okay to clean your tank maybe like once a month or so. But even then as comments say, max of only 50% in my opinion. I personally do 15% weekly without taking fish out. They’ll eventually get used to it without being scared. But I see that you are trying so keep it up. I started fish keeping about 4 years ago and made lots of mistakes as well.

love your video thanks for showing me how to clean fish tank as i just bought one today second hand as my daughter wants some fish and we are new to looking after fish so been researching too

I love this video! I just got more fish i have the same size tank! You should do an update video and also tell us what kinds of fish you have in your tank so cute girl!❤️❤️🐠

Hey JadeBird, you could save the water from the tank by using a large pool filter bag. Just have the basic filtering materials in the bag and run your water through the large pool filter bag and you can save a whole lot of $$$. Plus you won’t have to reacclimatise your fishes to new water from the tap.

Looks like your betta loves the new arrangements 😉

Thanks ! Beautifully explained it help me because I clean the first time the fish tank great help!

Can I just say this video will help me a lot since I am getting fish in May 2021 and am amazed by you! Tank you for your ideas 😘😚😁

Looks great! The "pep talk" was hilarious haha something I'd do too. I'll be upgrading & getting my betta some new friends after this.

Very straight forward video !! I love it. Thank you .

Thanks this is very informative for me just starting out with 2 gold fish and 2 bottom feeders thanks for video

Very Informative video! Loved the commentary on vacuuming! Hands on is the best way to learn! ❤

all in all, you love your fish. keep on!

You giving it a pep talk that's so cute🤣🤣🤣

Thank you for showing us how todo this.. I’m getting my tank today :)

TYSM! I love my finalds all to much this helped me keep them healthy and happy!

You shouldn’t rinse your decors with tap water. It’s best to clean them in your dirty tank water

I'm new to owning a fish tank but after watching many videos I decided to prepare 3 to 4 two-liter bottles & condition the water ahead of time that way when I get ready to clean my tank or add water from evaporation I already have water ready to use.

Should have switched that heater off in the rank because not only is it live electric in water, they also have a tendency to explode when you take the water out. And should pour the dirty water down the toilet rather than the sink, for obvious sanitary reasons. And lay something onto your carpet to protect from dirty fish water. You also have to make sure the water you put in the tank is similar temparture and dechlorinated.

your video really helped me. my fish look so much happier. THANK YOU!!!

thanks so much for this! super helpful for a first time fish mommy hahah

Those spongebob decorations are awesome. Great video

My mom might get my sister and I 2 glow fish if we promise to take care of them, we really needed this :) thanks :)) Edit: I love your shirt :)

Should I throw the conditioner in the tank when my fish are already in it although I haven’t cleaned the tank that very day?

This was still helpful I am a beginner learning about what fish I should get

This video was def helpful !

What kind of Stand you' have Holding the Fish tank

Thank you for explaining so well

😆 OMG! I used to have the exact same set up. All the Bikini Bottom characters. I still have them in storage somewhere in my attic. Even kept a male beta in it too. After my fish all eventually died I turned Bikini Bottom into a land crab habitat. But the crabs just kept knocking them over. And when a crab dies, it doesn’t take long for those things to start stinking! But they were really 😎

I. Reply to Rachaels comment. There is no such thing as cycled water. The good nitrifying bacteria lives on surfaces not in the water column. There were a few things wrong all of which most of us did wrong when we started keeping fish. For the most part right on and thanks for sharing how important it is to do tank maintenance and have fun learning as you go along been doing this for 20 years and learn stuff all the time! Listed some tips below. 1. No need to remove fish (it can stress them out) 2. Use water siphoned from tank in bucket to wash out filter media so good Nitrifying bacteria is not killed. ( rinsing anything it tap water kills bacteria because of chlorine and other additives in tap water that’s why you have to add conditioner to new water) 3. Reduce fish load in a tank that size I would keep the Betta and maybe a couple of Cory’s ( The Betta stays hidden because of the Giant Danios being active swimmers to much motion around him. You could keep the cloud minnow they are pretty calm)

can you pour the water out bc im thinking of getting fish and i dont know how to care for one so if i take out the fish and everything in the tank do i have to pump the water out or can i throw it out

I have a question, you are sure the Betta fish doesn't attack the other fish you uave there inside this tank?

Pour the dirty water in the garden, plants love it.

My daughter and I will be cleaning our tank today. Great video! Your beta fish is beautiful :)

Thanks for an extremely thorough video. It’s been almost 15 years since I last owned fish and I’m now getting back into them. There’s a lot that I totally forgot about, along with new technologies to make it easier for me. Thanks again. 👍

I just got a new 10 gallon aquarium yesterday and this was very helpful! And we have the same heater

I have a salmon and some flounder in the freezer. Do I clean it the same way?

Great video. I learned a lot.

Do you live or have you visited Memphis TN?!! I recognize that Young Ave Deli cup you were using! It’s one of my fav eats in memphsn

Such a great tutorial! Love the video. What kind of fish are those silver ones? I like how they are active swimming

I told my kids to watch this video as it nice explanatory thx

Have you considered turning off the tap thats on full blast just sending it back down the drain

Don't you still have to have the fishes sit on top of the water until they get used to the water temp bc you took them out? Sorry not trying to be against you or anything I'm just curious bc I'm new at fish keeping and very confused

perfect and very informative video...thank you

@jadebird, Great video, I some of these comments are just peoples opinion not fact. I have a 36 Gallon aquarium with molly fish and platys. According to expert I only have to change about 25 percent of the water unlike others who pointed 50%. But like you, I like a clean crystal aquarium so I do a complete water change every month when possible and use water conditioner and other water treatment. So far my fishes never had any problems now I feel like I'm ready for salt water. Fresh water is great start for those who wants salt water to become expert in maintaining them.

I’d recommend a siphon there very simple and fast to use and extremely cheap!

Did you clean your filter with tap or new water ? Cause from my experience you should not do that instead you have to clean it by the old aquarium water so that you would not ruin the good bacteria. Sorry if my words rude and tell me if its wrong. One more thing the old water don't throw away! It will be beneficial for plants or flowers to water them.

Hey forgive me if you said this but what kind of brand of siphon do you use? I see a lot available but want to make sure I get a safe one. So many bad products out there.

Me: * clicks video* Your shirt: Ugh.

What a good fish momma! ❤️

The pep talk was amazing …

is it the same for coldwater fish

You seem so sincere and confident that you are doing this correctly...God bless you honey, but no. Hopefully people will read the comments pointing out where you went wrong and not learn the misinformation you unknowingly presented to them.

You did great my tank is also a SpongeBob theme ha ha love you girl

I’m sure it’s been said 600+ times but just in case: a fish almost leaped out of the bowl at the 4:02 mark 😂

Also you should have cleaned your plants in the fish tank water in the start as their might be good bacteria build on the plant and also it kills all the good bacteria when it contacts tap water

Personally I change 50% of the water every 2 weeks and I clean my filter like once a month. Most people use gravel but I find sand better as its pretty much flat so debris only lays on it and it gets knocked about and taken into the filter easier than gravel where it can get stuck. If you get algae growth quick, reduce the light and feed a little less, if the tank is in direct sunlight through a window see if you can move it somewhere else. Also your betta may feel overcrowded by the Danios a better option would be Corydoras which are cute and stay on the bottom mostly, a group of 3 or 4 would be fine in there. theres lots of different options but Panda would be good for you since they are smaller. I like black backgrounds too as it makes it hard to see algae on it, it just looks black and you can let algae grown on it and never wipe it, it's actually beneficial, most fish will nibble on it now and then giving them something to do and it cleans your water a little bit by using nutrients out it to grow. Also I find a mistake new fish owners make is they get a small tank thinking it's less hassle and easier when actually its more difficult as it gets dirty faster and the filter needs cleaned more. If most peoples first tank was a 20 gallon they'd find it a lot easier to deal with.

What kind of siphon do you have? Can you please drop the link I have a 10 gallon fish tank as well and I don’t have a siphon.

Thank You 🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ great tutorial🐠🐠🐠🐠💙💙💙💙

ur supposed to take 25-35% of the water out. Not 95% that takes out all the special bacteria for the fish so now they could get sick and die.

Welke pomp kan ik gebruiken mijn vistank is 15op15.

Great little tutorial 👍

Hi what fish do you have living with the betta fish?

Did anyone else see the fish jump out the bowl at 4:01? 😂

Girl I feel you I have three 10 gallons and it takes me an hour to do them

I would like to recommend you add some stress zyme (beneficial bacteria) in addition to the water conditioner, also don't change filter until the new water cycles for a couple of days.

Nice video very clean

HOw often do you clean your fish tank?

Came for the fish tank and stayed for the cutie pie

I bought some fake plants made of silk For a fish tank I let them float on top of the water in the tank so my Beta will have a place to go and hide he really loves it and the fish don't nip at his tail everyone said by putting a Beta in there it would be a bloodbath but he seems to have taken very well and I've had him for a couple of years hes and with many other fish but the tank was Established for many months before I moved him into the tank thanks for your video very well done

What fish is your beta with

Where did you get that table I am inlove with it and want one for my tank

Looking good c:

I dont even take my fish out lol i just put some stress coat in there n go to work. But i do have 24 fish in a 60 gallon, so things are a bit different lol

I cant keep reading through the comments, as it hurts my eyes after some time. Can someone tell me exactly how I would put water back into my tropical fish tank with proper conditioning? Do I need to precondition water and warm it up a week prior to cleaning? Obviously I'm new as keeping fish. I want to do this right. Can someone explain it to me like I'm 5?

Can I just take out all of the decor and dump all of the water and just refill with clean water and with clean decor, after I've cleaned it? 🤷 I'm a beginner so don't judge me if my question is dumb🥴

I really liked your tank cleaning supplies, would be good to go back to petsmart and find them,

me: wondering about my ten gallon fish tank

What iif you have sand?

Thanks for the tips.

I have a 2.5 gallon fish tank and I'm planning to get a 10 gallon tank for cheaper price for only $15 at let smart and it was the size of the tank you got. That gives me an idea how to clean out your tank easier. I know now. Thanks

thanks this helped

What size tank is that?

Male betta fish are territorial and they only like when there by there selves so I would recommend moving him to a different tank