Fluid Dynamics International:
Aquarium Shop Near Your LI, NY Area

Do You Have To Clean Your Tank Regularly?

Most aquarium shops near you in Nassau County say that you should clean your tank every 2 to 3 weeks. If you feel like your tank needs cleaning more often, go ahead and clean it as you see fit. If you want more advice, call Fluid Dynamics International.

Cleaning Supplies

You will need several supplies for cleaning your tank. Some of the most essential include a water testing kit, a bucket, an algae scraper, a toothbrush, some glass cleaner, a towel, and an aquarium siphon.

As always, you should go to an aquarium cleaning services in Locust Valley, NY, to purchase all the supplies you need for proper aquarium maintenance. Then, you can talk with the employees about all the supplies you need. No one knows better than the employees, so use their expertise to your advantage.

They may have specific brands that work for their fish, so ask their advice on which supplies will work best for the fish you choose. Each Nassau County aquarium shop you go to may have different suggestions, so ask around to find the best supplies.

Test the Water

The first thing you should do when cleaning your water is test your water quality. This is where you’ll need the water testing kit we talked about in the supplies list. This is especially important if your fish is new and you have never cycled your water before. You will test your tank’s ammonia, pH balance, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

You may notice elevated amounts of ammonia in your water if you have just started a new tank, but it can also elevate if you don’t clean your tank enough. Your ammonia level should measure at 0.0ppm.

Your pH level is important for your fish, but the ideal level will vary based on what type of fish you have. For example, saltwater fish like to have a higher pH balance than freshwater. pH changes in your water can lead to stress on your fish, and it could kill them if you don’t fix the problem. You should keep a pH of 6.5-7.5 for freshwater fish and a pH of up to 8 for saltwater.

Nitrates are dangerous for your fish, causing stress or potentially killing them. Like your ammonia levels, you should have no greater than 0.0ppm. For nitrates, however, you should aim for lower than 40ppm. It’s not as toxic as ammonia or nitrite, but high levels can stress your fish.