How to Clean Aquarium Decorations the Right Way – Homeatory.com

How to Clean Aquarium Decorations the Right Way

There is a right way and a wrong way to clean your aquarium’s existing decorations. Cleaning them the wrong may damage your decorations and worse yet, harm your fish. To help keep your fish safe from harm and prevent your decorations from being damaged, be sure to always clean your aquarium’s decorations the right way. So, what is the right may to clean aquarium decorations? Read on to find out!

The first thing you’ll want to do when cleaning your aquarium’s decorations is to gather your cleaning supplies. You’ll definitely need a bucket or two, plus a sponge or toothbrush, or perhaps both depending on the type and condition of the decorations you will be cleaning. Please note that the collected items shouldn’t have been previously used for anything other than maintaining your aquarium. This will help ensure that they haven’t come into contact with any chemicals that could be harmful to your fish.

After you’ve gathered any items you will be using when cleaning the decorations, you’ll want to both wash your hands and the cleaning supplies to remove any substances that may contaminate your tank’s water. Be sure that you don’t use soap or any other cleaning chemicals during the cleaning process as chemical products may leave behind a residue that can be harmful to your fish. Chemical cleaners can also damage certain types of aquarium decor, which is another good reason to avoid using them during the cleaning process.

Once you’ve washed your hands and any cleaning supplies you will be using, it’ll be time to choose which decorations to clean. Though your end goal may be to achieve a spotless aquarium, it’s worth mentioning that it’s best not to clean all of your aquarium’s decorations at once. In doing so, you can end up removing too much of your tank’s beneficial bacteria. To keep your aquarium’s beneficial bacteria at optimum levels, consider cleaning your decorations on a rotated schedule rather than all at once.

After deciding which decorations you will be cleaning, you’ll want to carefully reach into the tank and pull out only the decorations you’ve chosen to clean. Take extra care when removing any decorations where fish may be hiding. As each decoration is removed, place it straight into your previously gathered bucket. The decorations will likely drip as they are being removed from the tank, so placing each removed decoration straight into a bucket can help prevent your floor and other surfaces from sustaining water damage.

When you’ve finished removing any decorations you wish to clean, it’ll be time to do the actual cleaning. Tap water should be avoided whenever possible when cleaning your aquarium’s decorations as it may contain chlorine and other agents harmful to your fish. It’s often best to siphon out some of your aquarium’s existing water to be used during the cleaning process, but for times when tap water must be used to clean your decorations, let it sit out beforehand for around 12 to 24 hours so any harmful additives will have time to dissipate.

Now, using either the siphoned tank water or the previously left out tap water, give your decorations a bit of a rinse. This should dislodge any loose debris or fish waste present on the decorative item. For removing algae or other forms of hard-to-remove buildup, a sponge or toothbrush is often very effective. Sometimes, however, your best cleaning tool ends up being your own fingertips, so if you don’t mind getting up close and personal with your tank’s dirtier aspects, then feel free to use your hands to scrub off any unwanted buildup from your aquarium’s decor.

Once the decorations have been cleaned, carefully return them to your tank. That’s all there is to it! By knowing the right may to clean your aquarium’s decorations and cleaning the decorations on a rotated schedule, you will not only be left with a cleaner, more attractive looking tank, but you’ll also be helping to prevent both your fish and your aquarium’s decorations from suffering any ill effects caused by the exposure to chemical cleaners.

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