Aquariums require good maintenance, including regular gravel cleaning to remove excess waste from fish, dead planes, etc. One common way to clean aquarium gravel is by using a gravel vacuum. But, not all of us have access to such a tool.
Luckily, we can also use a simple method to clean our aquarium gravel without using a vacuum. This article National Park Aquarium explain how to do this task with either a hose or a siphon, whichever is more convenient for you.
Steps To Clean Aquarium Gravel Without Vacuum
To clean your aquarium gravel without a vacuum, a siphon hose is the most important tool you should have.
- A bucket or other container
- A holding tank
- Water
- A small net
- A siphon hose
- Gravel cleaner
Step 1: Take the fish out
First, remove all fish from your aquarium and place them in a temporary holding tank. This is because the cleaning process can be stressful for fish, and you don’t want them to be exposed to any chemicals or cleaners.
Step 2: Use the small net to remove debris gravel
Before cleaning the gravel, you want all of the large debris and trash out of the tank. Therefore, this step requires the use of a small net.
Make sure you are thorough with this procedure since it will enable you to easily clean the rest of the gravel and prevent clogging.
Step 3: Remove the gravel without Vacuum
Next, fill your bucket or container with water. The amount of water you’ll need will depend on the size of your aquarium.
With a siphon hose, attach it to the faucet and insert it into the aquarium. Please turn on the water and allow it to flow through the hose into the aquarium. The water will flow through the gravel and remove any small pieces of debris.
Step 4: Do thorough cleaning with a gravel cleaner
Then, you can use a gravel cleaner to clean the gravel. Simply insert the tube of the gravel cleaner into the aquarium and suck on the other end to create suction.
Move the tube around in the gravel to agitate it and loosen any debris. Spit the water into a bucket as it becomes filled with dirt and debris.
Step 5: Replace the water and bring back the fish
Once you have finished cleaning the gravel, replace any water removed from the aquarium. Be sure to add a dechlorinator to remove chlorine from tap water before adding it to your aquarium.
Now, bring your fish back to the aquarium into a clean tank and water.
Tips for Clean Fish Tank Gravel Without a Vacuum
When cleaning fish tank gravel without a vacuum, it’s important to keep the following points in mind:
- Avoid Over-Cleaning: Over-cleaning can remove beneficial bacteria that aid in the nitrogen cycle of your tank. These bacteria are crucial for maintaining a healthy environment for your fish.
- Monitor Tank Parameters: Always monitor your tank’s parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels to ensure a healthy environment for your fish. Any drastic changes can stress or even harm your fish.
- Be Gentle: Be careful not to disturb your fish or any plants and decorations while cleaning the gravel.
- Check for Small Creatures: If you have small fish or invertebrates, be careful not to accidentally suck them up if you’re using a siphon.
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly changing a portion of the tank water can help keep the gravel clean. However, avoid changing all the water at once as it can shock your fish.
- Use of Cleaners: Consider using tank-friendly cleaners like snails or bottom-dwelling fish that naturally sift through the gravel and clean it. However, make sure they are compatible with your current fish and the conditions of your tank.
Conclusion
While there are many ways to clean aquarium gravel, a vacuum cleaner is the most efficient. Still, if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner or if you want to try another method, we’ve outlined an easy option for you.
However, we recommend using a vacuum cleaner as it is the easiest way to get the job done quickly and without any mess. Have you tried vacuuming your aquarium gravel before? What was your experience like?
Did you find it more or less difficult than other methods? Let us know in the comments below.
Learn about:
- How to clean a planted aquarium (with 7 easy steps)
- How to clean aquarium rocks (step-by-step)
