Prepare a smaller tank or a clean container to hold your fish. Let the gravel set for a minute or two and then inspect the water. The water may also be discolored by the dye used to color the gravel. Use a cup to take the dirty gravel out and place almost all of it into a sieve. Scoop up a couple of cupfuls of the gravel from the bottom of the tank and set aside without rinsing. Add some de-chlorinating agent to the water. Cleaning the gravel 1. Use a colander to rinse the gravel and rocks until the water runs through clear and free of debris. Remove all decorations, rocks and plants that aren’t rooted in the gravel, etc, from your tank. Fill the bucket with tap water, covering the gravel by about an inch. The gravel vacuum should stir up the gravel and remove debris without sucking up the gravel. You should suck up small amounts of gravel using the siphon, the waste will then be sucked through the tube into the bucket along with some of the water, and the gravel will fall back into place. It works by using gravity and hydrostatic pressure to suck dirt from substrates and help dispose of outside the tank. Repeat the process until all of your gravel has been rinsed through a strainer. These small particles should not make their way into an aquatic environment. Hold the strainer under fast running tap water and rinsing the gravel thoroughly. The longer nozzle is the best fit for removing eith… Rinse the gravel with treated water. Cleaning gravel with vacuum kit. The system works by... #Step 01– Unplug. Do this several times until the water coming off your gravel runs clean and clear. As the bucket is filling, vigorously agitate the gravel. Although it takes minimal effort to clean using a vacuum, there are many other methods that are also very easy and more importantly cheap. Without a vacuum, cleaning gravel is a tricky process and could take a while, but it’s definitely doable. To ensure your fish tank is in good shape and everything is functional, it’s best to clean the aquarium gravel. Wipe the inside of the fish tank dry using a paper towel and place the clean gravel back into the aquarium. Top 5 Best Fish Tank Thermometers in 2018. To clean your gravel in your aquarium you want to have a basic siphon kit. It has been specifically designed to be very easy to use even if you are brand new to aquarium keeping. Pour the water out and repeat the process several times until the water looks clear, clean, free of floating film, dust, debris and grit. Pour water over the gravel in the sieve, while gently shaking it. Shake the strainer under running water to dislodge heavier materials. Use a siphon gravel vacuum, with an attached hose to clean the gravel and remove the water. Wipe the inside with paper towel. You have two ways to clean the gravels: Take out the stones and take them in a container, you can put them in a sieve to clean. By utilising a syphon-like suction tube to displace the gravel at the bottom of the tank, a gravel washer is able to successfully clean the bottom of your tank without having to empty the whole tank or remove any fish. Then, plug in all electrical equipment and turn on the power. If you own a large tank, you should definitely buy a gravel vacuum because it makes the process much easier. A buildup of mulm will happen in any tank, whether it is from fish waste, plant material, or leftover food. Our site uses cookies. How Often Should I Clean My Fish Tank Filter? Step 9 You can then add layers of substrate to your clean fish tank. Trying to rinse too much gravel at once may not remove all the dust, debris or grit. Fill a clean bucket with water that is the same temperature as your tank’s water, and de-chlorinate the water with a biological aquarium supplement. 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