How do I clean a really big tank?

Question

I was wanting to have a 125 gallon cichlid setup. I was wondering what measures I would have to go to to have the fish happy and healthy (about 30 to 40 of them). I'm not really willing to do the 25% change every week with the gravel siphon and putting back all the new, conditioned water, I simply don't have that kind of time with school going and all. If there was some easier way, I would love to know it.

Thank you,
Amit

Answer 1

with a tank that large u can get a python, or a siphon kit, it hooks up to your sink and it will save time. its better to use for people with larger tanks, or many tanks over 10 gallons in one house. to save some more time buy a product know as "cycle". it is live bacteria. and it will save a tad time. one more product is Easy Balance, its made to save time on water changes. to get Easy Balance go to Walmart, to get Cycle, go to a pet store, to get a siphon kit go to walmart, sometimes they have it, or go to a store that has a fish section and u will soon find it.

Answer 2

For a 125 gallon cichlid tank, foregoing weekly partial water changes would not be healthy for the system. If you don't think you'll have the time, then I suggest you wait.



Cleaning the tank is just the same as it would be in a 55 gallon, but the tools are larger.



You could rig a bucket to some kind of stand so that it sits higher than the tank and use a siphon to put water back into the tank.

Answer 3

i just got my 55 gallon last month! and to me it seems to big to water change but i saw this video were you just use the hose of the siphon fill it up half with water put ur thumb on one end which goes down to a bucket and the other one u put it into the tank above the dirt or w.e and u just let the thumb lose and it sucks up the dirt that u want instead of just sucking all the water like the whole Siphon does. Heres the Link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti2PXBY_ffI

And yes i do have a Cichlid tank so i know what ur going through i have around 20 right now in the tank! Hope it works out!

Answer 4

Well, you could replace 25 percent of the water every week and take the filter algea out or you could hire someone to come in and clean it once every 1 or 2 weeks. That's not a lot of room for that many fish I would stick with 25 at max! There are tubes that can suck the water out for you. Good luck!

Answer 5

I have a Python No Spill Clean n Fill (I think is the name). It's amazing with my turtle tank. I had the same issue--it took forever hauling water in a bucket back and forth lol. But this is awesome--you hook it up to your sink and you turn a knob one way, it sucks out the water and stuff in the gravel so you can clean it, then you turn it another way and it fills the tank back up with water from the sink....

Answer 6

Take time every week to clear the filter strainers of any plant debris or other waste, and wipe away any algae from the inside walls of the tank with an algae scraper or scrubber pad. Make a date every two weeks to clean your filter. Consult manufacturer's instructions or an aquarium-supply retailer for advice on your specific model. Clear the filter impellers of any slime, algae or plant waste, and replace any activated carbon bags in your filter.

Answer 7

It is possible to get some syphons that hook up directly to your sink,you could look into getting one of them.It would eliminate all the buckets and carrying of water but you would still need to do regular water changes.