Top 10 TOOLS To Help Keep A Clean Aquarium

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[@KGTropicals]

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[@thegoldfishking7954]

KGTropicals I made my own python water changing system

[@thegoldfishking7954]

What fish are with your goldfish?

[@tbonesfishies1797]

Hi John, Lisa i have a problem my baby plecos keep dieing on me my water levels are all fine. All my other fish are thriving i don't get it.

[@killshotlord9957]

I do 2 water changes a month is it bad for my tank?🤔🤔🤔

[@starwarswannabes285]

I wish it would work for salt water tanks too, which it would for removing water, but not for adding new water which wouldn’t have salt in it of course.

[@amandae1930]

Keeping my tanks and cleaning them actually helps a lot with my anxiety so I also enjoy cleaning my tanks lol

[@falsealaska]

Yes! Me too. I've got some stuff going on at the moment and it's one of the best things to keep my mind busy. It's very meditative.

[@TyrannoTeeth]

Its SO refreshing

[@martyborst5645]

Amanda E, I have anxiety issues from time to time that can get heavy. I just clean my tank and watch my fish. It really helps me feel less anxious and stressed. Happy fish keeping.🐠

[@amandae1930]

I’m so glad this hobby has done so much for our mental health! Our little fish can make such an impact 😊

[@debbiemcwilliams2789]

Part of the joy in keeping fish

[@ShazeemKhan]

Always love Lisa's expression & hearing John in the backgroumd 🤗 sending love from Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@brianwilliams9813]

A hospital tank is the one main tool I would say that everyone needs. It will save you from having a empty one

[@forforever4980]

Yep. My dad had a ten gallon when I was young and he added a bunch of fish (including two common plecos) with our 6 neons and 2 black skirt tetras. Ich killed them all. So I'm starting it back up with a betta 7 neon tetras and a couple of snails. I will definitely quarantine them.

[@johnnysteigenberger5703]

Life hack. Use a 5 gallon bucket for a hospital tank. I know you have a bucket. If you dont you should get one. Use an established filter and change two gallons of water every other day.

[@michaelrbodner]

They sell a longer gravel tube for the Python so you don’t have to stick your arm in taller tanks. Highly recommended!!

[@BarbiesFatSistah]

Michael Bodner lol, I was totally thinking the same thing!! I have a bad back & deep tank. That was a bad mixture until I got my 30” gravel tube for my Python. Now I have dry hand and can see from the side what I’m cleaning.

[@lMagicKaito]

or that can be handmade so easily

[@davidsamsell2031]

John & Lisa, great video as always. Here is my $0.02 on what I personally do: - I like an extension on the gravel vac, so my “hands stay dry”. :) - On the glass aquarium lids, I use white vinegar to remove the hard water stains. - Since we have well “ground water”, I wash everything in a utility deep sink. I.E. HOB sponges, plastic tubing, etc. We don't have any chlorine in the water. - Regarding buckets: Different sizes come in handy, depending on the job, etc. - On the magnetic algae cleaners, I place a small piece of fine poly pad (only on the inside water tank portion of the cleaner). I find the “velcro” style pads, on the cleaners, wear down too quickly. - When servicing the HOB filters, I clean out the impeller and place a tiny glaze of silicone grease on the shaft. It helps to maintain quiet operation and minimize shaft wear. - Get a Thermometer. It really helps match the re-fill water temp. - Make/buy a tote. To carry the equipment around more easily. Or better yet, something on wheels perhaps. Anyway, these are my practices that have worked great for me. All the best.....

[@njric71]

Excellent tip on lubricating the impeller. A little tiny thing of plumbers grease lasts a very long time and is cheap enough at the home improvement store.

[@jimanast3593]

Nice tips!

[@Nuttyirishman85]

I’m hear you on the thermometer. I got a digital thermometer for 20 bucks. Before I switch the python back over to fill, I just point and shoot.

[@madfishdiva]

“A Big one” almost cost me a mouth full of coffee. Rofl. Great list. As a person who keeps jars and nano tanks a turkey Baster is also a great tool! Happy Sunday y’all!

[@ruthmeow4262]

Gotta love the turkey baster, have one for each nano tank.

[@lynnbonica4342]

@@ruthmeow4262 I keep a turkey baster for my nano tanks. It's great for spot cleaning the sand. Extra food that settles on bottom or mulm....

[@vaalrus]

I’ve had three of those water-bed drain-and-fill “inventions” in my clutter-drawer since the 70s… :)

[@Newt211]

You get an automatic thumbs up for listing the items in your INFO area. Thank you for the effort! I just left another video because I found myself constantly pausing, rewinding, just to write down what he was saying was needed. This is much better!!! Much Love to you and your fish!

[@mikesanchez1000]

One of the biggest tools I find useful is common sense. Trust me, in this hobby you learn the hard way🤦.

[@blueash4545]

You mean like NOT putting a 20 gallon tank a flight of stairs above any of the sinks in the house without a way to transport water other than open splashing buckets? I mean... that /might/ be a good idea... I'm joking, of course it's a good idea. That tank sadly failed, but it certainly got my common sense whooped into shape. I now have 2 tanks in the same location, but maintenance is surprisingly easy. I use 1 gallon jugs with buckets that fit 2 of said jugs to transport water. Carrying the weight never bothered me, it was all the sloshing and running around cleaning that wore me out too much. The jugs made that nonexistent! Like, I don't mind having to make about 3 trips up and down the stairs, it's when those 3 trips become 6 with cleaning up in between so I don't slip and fall that it becomes a problem. 🥴

[@silvertiptetra1771]

Like thinking about the fact that a fish’s injuries can get infected...

[@josh3386]

@@blueash4545 was doing the same thing, got the 50' python hose and faucet attachments and I regret not getting it sooner it saves so much time and effort and was only like $45

[@juleshaines1815]

You're good people. You're committed and that's what anyone taking on animals of any kind should be. 👍😊

[@lakelandcabinetmakers7230]

one of my favorite tools is an extendable back scratcher lol works great as a little rake for your substrate or moving little rocks around

[@chaga6776]

Im the same john, i really enjoy cleaning and doing water changes on my tanks. It feels to me as im closer to my fish when i do it and it also gives me sense of pride when the tank is immaculately clean.

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

You guys are great. So personal and knowledgeable. The more I watch of your videos the more relaxed I’m becoming with starting back into keeping my little Cube aquarium. Thank you!

[@MikesAquaticsThings]

Aquarium Co-ops towel is amazing wiping off water spots and fingerprints without the added expense of a glass cleaner.

[@TarasTankFriends]

I love their towel, that's one of the reasons!

[@caewalker9276]

If you're anything like me, then you definitely need to get an overflow alarm. Water seems to be a lot more when it's all over your floor. Thanks guys.

[@Uncle_Fishkeeper]

Lisa is a Saint for allowing John to do these jokes for all the world to see.

[@diazthedorkful]

I am new to the fish hobby. I currently fell in love after I purchased my 7.5 gallon nano. It is filled with Spider wood covered in Java Moss, Cherry Rili & Blue Velter shrimo as well as the shining star David Bowie, a Halfmoon Silver Betta. Now I have a 30 gallon Hexagon I inherited from a friend. Have a large Spider Wood piece in the middle. Settling amd filtering the water and soon to get plants and a bunch of schooling fish to create an awesome biotank in that one. Got a great deal on a Kessil Goodneck H80 Tuna Flora.

[@sarahmaclellan1719]

Thanx, I love all ur tips n videos. I'm a newbie to the hobby, so I've been busy soaking up all of ur videos like a sponge! Keep em coming - much appreciated.

[@Keig0.mp4]

I got a betta fish finally, and ima get some neon tetras soon. Honestly these videos helped me a lot. I even got a sponge filter and the betta loves the bubbles coming out of it!

[@drshrutikakankariya1017]

Neon tetras are fin nippers. go with cardinal tetras or corydoras.

[@foreverautumn2315]

I have planted tanks so always have my hands in the water trimming this, planting that, and I really like those disposable shop towels that come on a roll (like paper towels). They are very convenient and are awesome for drying my hands, quickly soaking up water on surfaces, and a million other uses. They are strong when wet, and you can just rinse them out when you are done - they dry very quickly and you get many, many uses out of them. Actually, it's rather rare that I have to dispose of any... :)

[@christinaalphabet]

Happy Sunday! I am a new tank owner and have been geeking out on videos learning the ropes. I really enjoy your content!

[@rancatforever]

Also, a step stool! I’m pretty short so even on the living room/kitchen divider I needed some help getting to the bottom of the tank!

[@sunbeamaquarium5446]

Thanks! This video is so informational and helpful!

[@collinskj1963]

I literally just got my new Python a few days ago, I was so happy with how clean and easy it was to use that I did about a 20% water change two days in a row, I used to dread water changes with the way I did it before.

[@martyborst5645]

I use a bottle I bought for $1 at a dollar store, fill it with water, spray the outside glass and dry it with a towel. Thanks for the tips. 🐠😸

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Have you ever looked into towels that don't leave dust behind when you're done wiping the glass down? I figure the towels those folks use on their show cars would work. Never tried it myself though?

[@jonahmcnaught9448]

honestly i think one of the things everyone needs is cleanup crew it helps imbetween maintenence but you do still need to do the majority i just got one zebra nerite and he has done miracles for my brown diatom algae that is my suggestion cleanup crew and oh yeah did i mention how my 4 corydoras are literally roombas in my tank

[@armanchahal9652]

Just the same topic i was looking for..im 3 weeks into this hobby..loving it

[@acusings1212]

4:43 John is a legend😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@phoenixburns3943]

I love the videos where you guys include other popular fish keepers. Have you considered doing such a video with the topic being the 3 (or main) rewards you get from fishkeeping? A change from "how to" or "why" videos, and more based on all of finding the common reasons we do this odd, expensive, and fascinating hobby.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Another great 10 things! Thanks for sharing!👍🐟🌱🌿❤️✌️

[@Sannive]

Always nice to hang out with you guys :)

[@QueAquatics]

Great video and tips!!

[@rancatforever]

Im a big fan of my turkey baster! Bought just for picking up bottom feeder pellets that didn’t get eaten. It’s saved me a lot of time not having to use that little net chasing the floating pieces.

[@sorinalexandru9347]

Great video , thank guys !

[@myrialightseeker193]

I use vinegar to clean my aquarium outside glass :)

[@gregghorner9107]

I just wipe mine down with a towell dampened by RO water.

[@brianp6180]

Lot of good points I use them all. Especially the Python. I take it once step further and bought a pump. Put a short tube on it and a hose connection to match the threads on the python hose. Saves wasting the water you use to syphon with the python. Plus it is very fast! If you have multiple large tanks especially.

[@markhunter2244]

Excellent, very helpful video 🤓

[@wmarian5027]

Turkey baster: easy getting extra food out, quick sand cleaning, and also feeding brine shrimp, etc. I have three of them for the fish tanks. Also, I use eheim and marineland brushes that are extra long and very flexible spring handles....more than 12 inchest, very good at curves. Really valuable and so easy I do the cleaning more often. Also can be sort of fun to have an automatic toothbrush for scrubbing decorations

[@bravo123345]

I have a question about the python. If it pours water directly into the tank, is it safe to dechlorinate the water afterwards while it's in your tank?

[@njric71]

plain magic eraser. I get the HDX brand from the big orange colored big box store. It has replaced the razor blade and my flipper scraper. Try it! It will change your life!! Dollar store dish towels and microfiber cleaning clothes specifically for the fish stuff and washed in the washing machine with hot water and vinegar so there's not laundry detergent on them. I even keep a green scrubby that just for fish tank use. I use vinegar on a paper towel to clean the outside glass. I LOVE that bottle brush set you have. I have a set too but it doesn't include all those tiny sized ones. If I have particularly dirty decorations to scrub I dip the tooth brush in Seachem Excel which I use for my plants anyway. It's an aglaecide and disinfectant. I've also used hydrogen peroxide for cleaning decor. Even if there's some left on the piece when it goes back in the tank it breaks down quickly into stuff that's harmless in your tank including extra oxygen. In fact I've treated whole tanks with H2O2 to treat black beard algae and the fish were fine. Plus it's cheap! eye droppers are another handy tool to keep around for dosing medicine and fertilizers, even water conditioner if you have small tanks that don't need more than an ml or 2. I also like them for filling the little water testing test tubes. I even have extra long ones for getting down to the bottom of an almost empty bottle.

[@gettingstuffdone]

great video guys! informative and very entertaining!

[@JBlessedOne]

Can't say how much I love the white "magic eraser" type sponge from Aquarium Co-Op. Obviously it has to be Aquarium safe the branded ones a lot of times have chemicals.

[@mantisaddict]

Awesome video

[@DirtNassty]

You guys are awesome! lol So happy I found this channel. Great, fun info!

[@midnull6009]

I actually like cleaning the aquariums....it's weird I know, but it's so soothing... Especially seeing the end results of clean!

[@InvertedFreeSolo]

Lol her eye roll at the "big one" is a riot

[@matiasfernandoleonsalinas3642]

Son los mejores, los amo y aunque tal vez no entiendan mi español quiero decirles que ver sus videos me motiva a ser cada vez mejor acuarista

[@WeThePeople_FJB]

I use a magic eraser on my 60 gallon acrylic tank to get rid of algae and it works great.

[@randicornell9849]

Great content as always!

[@andrewhoman9177]

A MagFloat is my #1 tool. Use it every day as I look at my fish.

[@benakakumars9611]

Those small and big stick puns 🤣🤣🤣

[@kmoon2659]

thank you!

[@myllamadreams9282]

Thanks for the video 👍🏻 I like using deluded white vinegar to clean my glass

[@blushingmelon2138]

Thx this is really help me :D

[@siddharthtrivediin]

With the Python system how do you treat your water for chlorine before it enteres the tank? I always was under the impression that you need to collect water in buckets, pour some de-chlorination liquid and let the water sit for 24 hrs.

[@st8pl8guy]

Seachem Prime will take care of chlorine and chloramine almost immediately, no waiting. It's what I use. And while the Python makes for a good siphon system, I'm not sure I like using it for filling the tank due to water temperature differences. I do 30 gallons per water change, and the temperature does not stay constant.

[@callenclarke371]

You guys are good at this!

[@jeffmckee1825]

Cheap source of buckets are bakeries or bakery departments in groceries. In the trade , they are called jam pails and they get fillings and glazes in them. Easy to clean prior to use and often they will simply give them to you (or for a couple bucks) rather than throw them out. The last forever!

[@lalietienne9265]

I totally agree with you -- I love cleaning my tank and keeping my Mbuna's happy!!!!!!

[@franktra1]

how big tank?

[@REbones714]

4:50 It's ok John... You made me chuckle, your joke wasn't wasted :)

[@ynsekrols1754]

My weekly tank cleaning while watching your clips! Getting smarter each week.

[@TheKingPrawn114]

I have a 2.5 gallon bucket I use for the betta tanks. Highly recommend if you don't want to deal with the bigger bucket for only a couple gallons of water at a time.

[@proudduke1021]

"that's what she said" HAHA great comeback never gets old

[@MattyArtyCrafty]

I've watched a few videos and this chick cracks me up so much 😂😂😂😂

[@icarlsw34]

I just bought a quick link faucet adapter and a cheap garden hose. Wish I had seen this before as you can drain as well as fill with it.

[@monsterfishgal]

Great video

[@clementdarchez2473]

For cleaning aquarium glass (exterior side) you can safely use some white vinegar, safe for fish if you overspray and it helps to remove some of the white residues from the water.

[@pencccil428]

love yur vids!

[@stuartgreen7203]

If you have a heavily planted tank, it’s almost impossible to get a gravel cleaner into all the nooks and crannies. Use a large turkey baster instead. Gently squeeze the bulb so that the detritus is stirred up then just hoover it up with your Python or just a plain hose. Simple and won’t damage the plants.

[@njric71]

I have this exact same problem and can't wait to try this!!

[@gregmercer276]

At the moment I have a piece of coarse filter foam it is very rough for stubborn algae but soft enough to not scratch the glass I use it during water changes to clean water marksand give glass a quick once over...

[@shannyngolightly686]

Thank you for all your videos. They are very helpful. I'm new to the fish world. A couple questions that I get mixed reviews on is... #1) do I change the water while cycling? And #2) is it necessary to have the light on while water is cycling?

[@varnansaththiyanthiran4292]

Amazing video

[@chestergold2329]

I use to use almost the same system for water changes 40 years ago, by using a Waterbed filler tap adapter...works pretty slick

[@rosemccann4184]

You guys are awesome

[@hongsitu3429]

I havent needed to clean the glass inside the tank since I introduced Nerites and a few Octos in my tank and of course live plants.

[@WattsRaider]

U guys are awesome

[@kirangv2071]

I just realised that I'm not using towel/s.. I'll practice.. thank you for this wonderful video 👍

[@aliciahamorsky6568]

Norwex microfiber window cloth is the best invention ever. It gets the house, car, glasses, and aquarium squeaky clean with JUST WTER. No cleaner required. I use it to clean my aquarium chemical free. One less bottle to find :) you should try it.

[@blueash4545]

Get a tackle box and some syringes. Tackle box is to put your stuff in, and the syringes are just so useful! The thing I hate the most is struggling to find things you need or not having a place to put them when you're not using them. I mean, let's face it not all of us have the luxury of a fish room. I keep all my maintenance tools in my tackle box and anything i don't use regularly goes in my fish storage box on my pet shelves. My favorite part: I don't have to dig through a bucket to find the conditioner: it's right where I put it in the tackle box! As for syringes I use them regularly to measure out water treatment stuff like conditioner or different medicines when doing water changes. But even if you don't use them for that they have so many other uses that trust me, it's worth it.

[@tinamite22]

"I got a small one and a big one!" "that's what she said!" Me: "pffffffft.... classic John."

[@glennrea4010]

Your peacock tank looks so much better with black background

[@Megatog615]

Aquascaping spatulas actually make great algae scrapers.

[@austinmontoya4365]

When he sayed "if you thank this is over-killI.? Imma give you a bonus-tip!..." 😂😂 . But Im with you! These are my baby's😭😭 The safest stuff possible 🤞

[@jayburke94]

"Thats what she said" lol. Classic "To big to handle" ha

[@mikeythemutt8460]

Both of my big tanks are window overlooking the yard adjacent. I use a plumbers siphon to drain water out of the window and into the yard on water changes and the water hose to add water back in. I use Seachem Prime immediately after the water change to neutralize any chlorine.

[@timtrueblood6734]

Thx for the hair algae toothbrush trick :)

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

What about submerged plant roots? My pothos and peace lilies have made such a big difference to my tanks!

[@Sreyam86]

I use Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar for glass.

[@jimanast3593]

Lisa makes watching ur videos a real fun! "...bigger is hard to handle! " 😂 In the previous version of this video she is shouting :"Get me a tau!"

[@nomaidens7740]

i keep acrylic aguariums and they get easily scratched, so instead of a algae scraper, a toothbrush is my best friend

[@gqwarrior6694]

Try an old credit card. You can put it on one of those extension arms that clamp blades if your tank is really deep. Will be faster & won't scratch the acrylic.

[@AvnishYadavTECHGEEK]

Toothbrush can also be used to clean filter impeller and pipes.

[@dolphinliam888]

Clean outside glass with distilled white vinegar and a soft hand towel. Perfect glass 😉😁

[@josephmiller8171]

Turkey Baster for those quick spot clean ups.

[@nancysalvaggio888]

I use Norwex Enviro Cloth and Window Cloth for the outside, no chemicals at all and they do an amazing job.

[@sbrennan0813]

I just got my first Norwex products this week. Never thought about using the window cloth for the tank.

[@debbiemcwilliams2789]

I use microfiber cloths and plain water on my acrylic.... great results and looks brand new...easy peasy

[@relicturtle7373]

Hoses are great get a bunch that way u can drain n fill at the same time! And even multiple tanks. Pro tip never leave the room lol for that reason I only do the multiple tanks as a group in there respective rooms.

[@kristenwinter8157]

I use the bucket after cleaning fish tanks to water my outside plants. I use dollar tree tooth brushes along other things from there to use on my tanks.

[@jimanast3593]

Me too! Leaves get ~50+% bigger in both dimensions! Dechlorinated water is better for plant (& leaves) growth. I keep this water w/ fish poop in 4l cans, which r not completely emptied, so that poop stays inside to enrich tap water used for watering plants. This is repeated, when it's time for the next water change, more poop is added and plant watering goes on... So, no need for a hose and water drainage.

[@godschild5587]

I feed old aquarium water to plants too.

[@TifLynn837]

I've use buckets for emergency QT! Add a sponge filter and a small heater (if needed) and then treat if/when necessary! Toothbrushes are an amazing cleaning tool especially for breeder boxes used to keep growing fry! And in place of a razor blade, especially on things like my 5g acrylic hex tank, an old credit or gift card works amazingly well!

[@jimanast3593]

The use of a card, is mentioned at the previous version.

[@andowens]

Getting some extra glass test vials was a good one for me & my butter fingers 😖 How many of those have you broken? Is there a better way to check water parameters? I love doing it, but breaking those vials on accident drives me nuts!

[@HairyKnees1]

In the past I lived in a townhome, and they stopped allowing us to keep our bicycles outside. So I had to bring it inside, and one day after my commute I tripped and fell as I was walking my bike through my living room. The bike fell against my saltwater tank and broke the glass. Saltwater poured out everywhere! No worries, I saved all the fish & live rock by immediately dumping plastic storage totes, filling them with saltwater, adding air stones, and keeping them in the totes for a few hours while I cleaned up and bought a new tank. I owned the unit, so no worries about a landlord. The floor was just the concrete subfloor anyway because I had recently had a pipe burst and flood the entire downstairs, so all the flooring was already ripped out.