Buy Fish Tank Cleaning and Maintenance for Fish in Hardy

A healthy fish tank means healthy and happy fish. Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA has all the tools and the devices to keep that tank in great shape. Our team has the experience and knowledge to answer your questions about aquarium maintenance and help you pick the right items to make the job a breeze.

Anyone can keep a clean and healthy aquarium. It's not a challenging task, but it does call for routine focus and the right materials. There are daily and weekly jobs in addition to the vital job of tank cleaning with partial water adjustments.

Each day, after you feed your fish, remove uneaten food after about five minutes. Also, inspect your fish to ensure they are healthy and are behaving normally. Lastly, it's important to check the water temperature. Each week, check the pH, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels. If it's a saltwater tank, check the salinity. Also, check out equipment such as lights and filters to see that everything is functioning properly.

How frequently should you clean the tank? How much of the water do you need to replace? It depends on the size of the tank, the number of fish, and whether it's saltwater. Typically, you need to swap out 10-20% of the water every one to three weeks. 

Follow these steps in your normal cleaning:

Prepare replacement water. If you use tap water, use a water filter to eliminate toxins. For saltwater, you'll need special reverse osmosis/deionized water.

Unplug electrical components & remove large accessories.

Siphon water into a container. Siphon along the gravel to remove the waste that accumulates there. If you properly manage the circulation with your thumb or a built-in regulator, waste will be sucked out and gravel will fall back into the tank.

Remove algae. Use an algae-cleaning device to help.

Clean your filter. For filters such as a sponge, ceramic rings, and fiber, rinse them in the water you removed and quickly reinstall} them to prevent losing essential microorganisms. Filters that contain carbon and other absorbers will need to be frequently replaced.

Add the replacement water.

Clean your tank's outside with a proper cleaner and fabric.

As you can see, the best devices and products are essential. Thankfully, Barkley's Pet Market in Hardy, VA understands what's needed and is your one-stop-shop for all your tank maintenance needs. Call (540) 346-2277 or stop by our store today!