I just cleaned it with a turkey baster. It worked to get most of the stuff out. Then I used a python with a wash cloth thing rubber banded over it. Most of the junk of the bottom got stuck to it. 1-2 fry got stuck but I was able to get them off. The tank meets my standards now LOL. I went looking for snails but I was only able to find one very tiny one. Kind of sucks but I guess its not a bad thing