08/17/2026
Round 1 of tank cleaning— filters, gravel, water change, and glass.
I start by vacuuming the gravel, or mixing up the gravel by hand to murk up the water, and pull about 20-30% out. Some of these tanks got multiple water changes today already. After that, rinsing sponge filters. Generally I rinse my filters in cold water from the tap, although some of my more delicate tanks I will use tank water to rinse out filter debris. I HATE using a razor to clean glass, but some algae is stubborn. Otherwise I use the strong magnetic scrubbers. Finally, Seachem Laboratories, Inc’s Prime tap water conditioner and top off the tanks with water! If I feel like it I’ll add a filter bacteria liquid as well, but only as needed. For stubborn tanks, wait 24 hours and repeat!
