How (not) to clean your tank

[islandguy11]

I know those new to the hobby sometimes make this huge mistake, and I know many (but not all) big box stores aren't stellar examples of good fish keeping practice/maintenance.

Nonetheless when I incidentally found my way to a Petco website tonight I was a bit shocked to see this super piece of advice in the Aquatics section:

How to Clean a Fish Tank:

Once you have set up your aquarium, it is important to keep the tank clean. When cleaning a fish tank, first remove the fish and place them into a smaller container. Remove all decorations and gravel and rinse them in clean water, then clean the sides of the aquarium with a sponge. Scoop out about half of the water in the tank and replace it with new water that is the same temperature. Then, return the decorations and fish to the tank.

Ooohkay, goodbye bb, hello

 

[Hendre]

Sounds like how my dad kept fish in the 80's as a teen. Empty everything into buckets, spray the gravel and tank down with a hose outside then take it in and start up again

 

[tlindsey]

I know those new to the hobby sometimes make this huge mistake, and I know many (but not all) big box stores aren't stellar examples of good fish keeping practice/maintenance.

Nonetheless when I incidentally found my way to a Petco website tonight I was a bit shocked to see this super piece of advice in the Aquatics section:

How to Clean a Fish Tank:

Once you have set up your aquarium, it is important to keep the tank clean. When cleaning a fish tank, first remove the fish and place them into a smaller container. Remove all decorations and gravel and rinse them in clean water, then clean the sides of the aquarium with a sponge. Scoop out about half of the water in the tank and replace it with new water that is the same temperature. Then, return the decorations and fish to the tank.

Ooohkay, goodbye bb, hello

View attachment 1385434

I believe that the instructions were purposely made up by the Petco marketing team. Think about it fish will die and if the person enjoys keeping fish he or she will purchase more fish.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

At least they didn't advise to thoroughly clean the biofilter. I wonder if this is just an honest omission.

 

[tlindsey]

At least they didn't advise to thoroughly clean the biofilter. I wonder if this is just an honest omission.

They don't mention anything about dechlorinator .

 

[esoxlucius]

"Remove all decorations and gravel and rinse in clean water". That is just plain ridiculous advice, totally wrong. They failed to mention that the clean water should be mixed 50/50 with industrial strength bleach.

In all fairness, as long as the bio compartment in the filter isn't touched, and said bio compartment is large enough and established enough, then you'd still be OK. As tom mentioned though the omission of dechlorinator is the really bad advice, or lack of.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I've got a stress head mate who I try to convince to get a tank as it will chill him out and teach him patience.
He won't because his patents had a tank in the 80s but they did 100% water change and washed everything with dishwashing liquid. Amazingly the fish kept dying. The parents thought bacteria in the tank could escape into the air and make everyone sick so had to be thoroughly cleaned. It's probably why my friend is so stressed and anxious, being raised in that scene.