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11 Responses to “i have a 5 gallon fish tank with 4 fish in it, How often should i clean the fish tank ?”
Just here to help you out.. You DON’T need to get a bigger tank nor do you have to many fish. You’re just fine. I have 12 guppies in one on my 5 gallons and they’re just fine (people always harass me for it though) Petco uses this huge anerobic and aerobic filtration system with bio balls to keep their tanks superbly pristine, so, your tanks may not look quite as luminous as theirs, but it can still get close.
With my tanks, i do a 10-15% water change every weekend but i only clean one side of the tank. (er.. meaning i clean half of the gravel one weekend and the other half the other weekend but still clean out the filter and the glass every weekend ) This way, you get a good cycle of algae and bacteria going.
How small are those fishes? Your suppose to have at least 5-7 gallons for one fish. I have a 75 gallon tank and only have 12 fishes. You seriously need a bigger tank and you probably should go to Pet Extreme or a some animal store and get tips. If I have to clean my fish tank about every two weeks, then you have to clean yours way more often! Oh, and every time you clean your fish tank remove about 25% of the water and replace it with clean water.
That really depends on where it is. Generally, just vacuum the bottom every few weeks or so. Stretch things out till you can see that the bottom or glass needs attention, then DO IT. No big deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if you go a couple of months at a stretch in a waiting room.
btw, the rule for population is an inch of fish per gallon. Assuming you’ve got guppies or the equivalent, you’re fine.
To keep your tank clean and the water healthy you need a filter. If you don’t have one, get one as this will greatly aid in keeping your tank clean. You also need to perform routine partial water changes on a weekly basis. This should be done using a small gravel vacuuming siphon. Lightly vacuuming the gravel/substrate when removing water to change will also aid in keeping your tank clean. You should remove 1/2 – 1 gallon of water each and replace it with tap water. Always treat the tap water with conditioner that will neutralize chlorine and chloramine and ensure the water closely matches the temperature of the water in your tank.
Keeping your water healthy is directly related to the stocking level in your tank. Too many fish will create serious problems. Four fish in a 5 gallon tank could be causing you problems. Unless the fish are tiny fish such as neon tetras, you’re overstocked. A 5 gallon tank is very small. (Most experienced aquarists would only keep a single betta in such a small tank). “Crystal clear” water in no way indicates good water quality. Ammonia is “invisible” and is also highly lethal. I would recommend that you have your water quality tested, and ensure you have a filter. Keep the tank out of sunlight and maintain a very good weekly maintenance routine. Also, ensure your tank is not overstocked.
With any fish, you should do a partial water change every 1 to 6 monthes depending on how much you change out. i recamend a 25% water change every 2 months leaving fish in to reduce stress. Also, it is good to have an under gravel filter along with the regular pump to keep water clean in between changes. Remember not renew too much water and clean too often or tank will have to cycle all over again and could cause cloudiness in water and possibly kill or sicken fish. a little amonia is goog but not alot. testing water is helpful but not nessessary in keeping watch over your aquarium. Completely clean out aquarium once every year or so with just water and NO SOAP!!!
i think its usually recommended that you clean your tank monthly. you would clean it with a ******* tube thing, im not sure what you call it but its used to clean the gravel. im assuming you have a filter in the tank otherwise you would need to clean it much more frequently. you might also want to get a pleco which eats the algea and a bottom feeder (i have a catfish) to eat the food that falls to the bottom of the tank. good luck!
March 27th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Terry Gaskill
For a tank that small..probably once every two weeks. About 25% water changes..hope i helped =]
March 30th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Sonya Thomasson
what sort of fish have you got in a 5 gallon tank?as that is to small
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:51 am
Gary Ogden
usually every 2-4 weeks to keep it as clean as u want it
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
Debra George
Well first of all you need a bigger tank.
April 4th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Ohara
Just here to help you out.. You DON’T need to get a bigger tank nor do you have to many fish. You’re just fine. I have 12 guppies in one on my 5 gallons and they’re just fine (people always harass me for it though) Petco uses this huge anerobic and aerobic filtration system with bio balls to keep their tanks superbly pristine, so, your tanks may not look quite as luminous as theirs, but it can still get close.
With my tanks, i do a 10-15% water change every weekend but i only clean one side of the tank. (er.. meaning i clean half of the gravel one weekend and the other half the other weekend but still clean out the filter and the glass every weekend ) This way, you get a good cycle of algae and bacteria going.
Best of luck to you.
April 7th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Gerald Paddock
How small are those fishes? Your suppose to have at least 5-7 gallons for one fish. I have a 75 gallon tank and only have 12 fishes. You seriously need a bigger tank and you probably should go to Pet Extreme or a some animal store and get tips. If I have to clean my fish tank about every two weeks, then you have to clean yours way more often! Oh, and every time you clean your fish tank remove about 25% of the water and replace it with clean water.
April 10th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Lawrence Benford
That really depends on where it is. Generally, just vacuum the bottom every few weeks or so. Stretch things out till you can see that the bottom or glass needs attention, then DO IT. No big deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if you go a couple of months at a stretch in a waiting room.
btw, the rule for population is an inch of fish per gallon. Assuming you’ve got guppies or the equivalent, you’re fine.
April 10th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Allan Wilmore
To keep your tank clean and the water healthy you need a filter. If you don’t have one, get one as this will greatly aid in keeping your tank clean. You also need to perform routine partial water changes on a weekly basis. This should be done using a small gravel vacuuming siphon. Lightly vacuuming the gravel/substrate when removing water to change will also aid in keeping your tank clean. You should remove 1/2 – 1 gallon of water each and replace it with tap water. Always treat the tap water with conditioner that will neutralize chlorine and chloramine and ensure the water closely matches the temperature of the water in your tank.
Keeping your water healthy is directly related to the stocking level in your tank. Too many fish will create serious problems. Four fish in a 5 gallon tank could be causing you problems. Unless the fish are tiny fish such as neon tetras, you’re overstocked. A 5 gallon tank is very small. (Most experienced aquarists would only keep a single betta in such a small tank). “Crystal clear” water in no way indicates good water quality. Ammonia is “invisible” and is also highly lethal. I would recommend that you have your water quality tested, and ensure you have a filter. Keep the tank out of sunlight and maintain a very good weekly maintenance routine. Also, ensure your tank is not overstocked.
Good Luck
April 12th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Stanley Luke
With any fish, you should do a partial water change every 1 to 6 monthes depending on how much you change out. i recamend a 25% water change every 2 months leaving fish in to reduce stress. Also, it is good to have an under gravel filter along with the regular pump to keep water clean in between changes. Remember not renew too much water and clean too often or tank will have to cycle all over again and could cause cloudiness in water and possibly kill or sicken fish. a little amonia is goog but not alot. testing water is helpful but not nessessary in keeping watch over your aquarium. Completely clean out aquarium once every year or so with just water and NO SOAP!!!
April 15th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Natalie Endres
i think its usually recommended that you clean your tank monthly. you would clean it with a ******* tube thing, im not sure what you call it but its used to clean the gravel. im assuming you have a filter in the tank otherwise you would need to clean it much more frequently. you might also want to get a pleco which eats the algea and a bottom feeder (i have a catfish) to eat the food that falls to the bottom of the tank. good luck!
April 15th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Jeffrey Work
every week or 2 weeks… and u should buy a 10 gallon tank no fish is suitable for 5g at least a 10g