Aquarium tubing provides an important function in any fish tank – it transports water from the tank to the filter and back again. Over time, algae and other debris can accumulate inside the tubing, which can disrupt the flow of water and ultimately harm your fish.
Therefore, we should make it a habit to remove built-up dirt and algae. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to clean aquarium tubing.
Method 1: Clean aquarium tubing with Vinegar
Vinegar is a common and effective cleaning ingredient used for various aquarium decors. Since it is considered a safe agent, you can use white vinegar for this task without worry.
What You Need
- Vinegar (either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work)
- Clean water
- A small brush
- A bucket
- Some towels
Instructions
- Start by removing the tubing from your aquarium, do this as gently as possible to avoid disturbing the fish. Make sure to disconnect it from the air pump system and the connector.
- Fill the bucket with a mixture of half water and half vinegar to make a cleaning solution.
- Soak the tubing in the mixture for at least 30 minutes to remove dirt and grimes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the tubing from the mixture and rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
- With any stubborn dirt or grime remaining, you can use a small brush to scrub it away.
- Once the tubing is clean, rinse it again with water and then reconnect it to your aquarium.
Method 2: Clean Aquarium Tubing with Bleach
You should only try this method when the tubing system is too dirty for the vinegar to work. Bleaching might not affect the tube quality, but if it remains in the tube, it can harm the aquarium life. So make sure you are extra thorough when rinsing the tube after cleaning it.
Tools and materials
- A pair of clean, sharp scissors
- Bleach
- Clean water
- Paper towels or a clean cloth
- A pair of gloves
- A bowl or bucket
Instructions
- You should put on a pair of gloves for protection before proceeding with the steps below.
- Now, cut off one end of the aquarium tubing using clean, sharp scissors. You can also use a utility knife to make this cut.
- Then, you can fill a bowl with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Submerge the cut end of the tubing in the bowl and let it soak for 15 minutes.
- Remove the tubing from the bowl and rinse it thoroughly with water. You can use a clean bucket filled with water for this purpose. Be sure to remove all traces of bleach before proceeding.
- Using paper towels or a clean cloth, dry off the outside of the tubing.
- Reattach the tubing to your aquarium and resume normal operation.
How do you remove algae from tubing?
First, you will need to identify what type of algae is in the devices. There are several types of algae often found in aquarium tubing:
- Green algae – Recommended removing with a potent cleaning solution (5-10% bleach)
- Black algae – You can dip the tube in Hydrogen Peroxide to kill black algae
- Blue-green – It can be removed with the mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
- Diatoms – Can be removed with a UV Sterilizer
Once you have identified the type of algae, you will need to take different steps to remove it, depending on the severity.
- You can use a soft brush or cloth to scrub away the algae for light infestations.
- For more severe infestations, you may need to soak the tubing in a solution of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) for 30 minutes.
- After soaking, scrub the tubing with a soft brush or cloth and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
If you have a very severe algae infestation, you may need to replace the tubing. To prevent algae from growing in new tubing, clean it thoroughly before use and treat it with an anti-algae solution (such as algicide).
How do I clean my aquarium siphon hose?
If your aquarium siphon hose becomes clogged, it can be challenging to clean. There are a few different ways to clean your aquarium siphon hose, depending on the severity of the clog.
If you have a minor clog, you can try running hot water through the hose to dissolve any buildup.
You can also try using a wire hanger or other thin object to clear any debris blocking the hose.
If neither of these methods works, you will need to disassemble the siphon hose to clean it properly.
- To disassemble the siphon hose, start by removing the end cap. Next, use a pair of pliers to remove the retaining ring that holds the tube in place. Once the retaining ring is removed, you should be able to pull the tube out of the hose.
- Clean the tube and end cap with hot water and a stiff brush. If there are many buildups, you may need to soak them in vinegar or bleach overnight to loosen everything up.
- Once they are clean, rinse them well with hot water and reassemble the siphon hose.
Conclusion
Aquarium tubing should be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of algae and other debris. Cleaning your tubing is a quick and easy process that only takes a few minutes.
By following these simple steps, you can keep your aquarium looking its best. Have you cleaned your aquarium tubing recently?
I grew up with a fish tank in my house, and my parents would take me to the local aquarium every chance they got. This passion led me to start NationalparkAquarium.org, which I use to share my love and passion.
