How To Clean Aquarium Glass: The Pet owner's Guide
In maintaining the aquarium, changing the water in it is one thing, and keeping the glass walls is another. It would be a pleasing sight to see the fishes inside by making the outside and inside glass walls crystal clear. Hence, you must learn the right way on how to clean aquarium glass.
When you come to think of it, aquarium glass cleaning is basic. So, you don't have to dig into the cleaning details. However, since you are dealing with live fishes, you need to be very careful in cleaning aquarium walls, especially the inner glass. The choice of cleaning agents matters as it may be harmful to the fishes. Also, the materials that you will use to wipe it clean should be smooth enough not to scratch the glass.
Here are some tips on how to clean fish tank glass.
Cleaning the Inside
Cleaning the inside glass of the aquarium can be done even with the fishes on it. You just have to be gentle when wiping so you won't scare fishes with too much movement. The equipment or materials to use must also be gentle to the fishes. Here are some of the suggested materials you can use to wipe away algae from the aquarium walls
- Sponge
Wiping the inside glass with a soft sponge can be the best way to clean fish tank glass. Gently scrub the glass in a circular motion. Make sure you have washed your hands with gentle soap before dipping it into the water.
- Algae Scrubbing Blades
A sponge may not be able to do the job if the algae are too thick. If such is the case, you can use algae scrubbing blades. This equipment is made to specifically used to clean the aquarium walls. This is available in any pet store in your neighborhood. Make sure to follow the correct way of using the blade so as not to scratch the walls.
- Magnetic Glass Cleaner
A magnetic glass cleaner is one of the choices on how to clean aquarium glass. It is easy to use and effective. This equipment has two attachments—the scrubbing pad and the cleaning pad. The rough pad is the scrubbing pad that should be placed inside, while the other must place inside. They are simply magnetic, so whenever you move the piece from the outside, it also should move on the inside rubbing the walls.
Cleaning the Outside
Cleaning the outside portion of the aquarium is much easier than cleaning the inside glass. But still, you must know how to clean aquarium glass the right way, so you do not stress the fishes inside.
The outside glass may also need a thorough cleaning. It can have thick dirt that accumulates. Be careful not to use harsh cleaning agents like bleach, as it may affect the water inside and harm the fishes. To clean the outside glass, you just need a soft cloth or a towel rinsed in warm water.
It is safe to just use water in cleaning the exterior glass. For the hard to remove dirt, you can soak it with water or apply warm water on it until it softens then gently wipe it. If there are still residues that cause the glass to look dirty, you can use a safe cleaning agent like vinegar or lemon. These are effective cleaning agents that are safe for both humans and fishes.
Regular Cleaning Task
Cleaning the walls of your aquarium should be done regularly. It is not something you must skip, as this will greatly make your pet fishes unhealthy. When you do the water change, you can scrap the walls as well, so you can just do a light wiping task whenever Algae becomes visible.
When you do not clean the aquarium walls or change the water will shorten the lifespan of your fishes. The dirt and all other substances in the water may increase the level of ammonia in the water, which will greatly affect the fish's health.
Conclusion
As much as man needs clean air, so fish needs clean water to swim. So, keeping it clean means you are giving them a nice place to live in. Do not hesitate to learn and understand the way how to clean aquarium glass, as this is part of the regular cleaning task that you need to do when you have fishes as pets. So, keep the tank clean and make fishes happy. Know more about aquarium care.