A club for owners of Parrot Cichlids

Cleaning the Gravel

How do you clean a fish tank without removing the fish or the gravel? Use a siphon! A siphon is like a water-driven vacuum cleaner, which cleans gravel and changes the water at the same time.
Probably the most adaptable brand of siphon is the Python which comes in a variety of sizes. Siphons require a substantial difference in height between the tank and the drain end of the siphon to create a strong suction. For example, our tank is about 3 feet off the ground, and we use a 50 foot hose, which is draped out the patio door and over the porch rail, so that the drop is about 8 feet total. This produces a strong enough suction to thoroughly clean the three inch gravel layer in our large tanks.
If this height difference does not exist in your home, the Python can create suction using water pressure. To use the Python in this manner, purchase one with a hose that is long enough to reach easily from the tank to a utility sink. It is a good idea to order a brass adaptor to replace the aeator on the sink, so you can attach the Python without damaging the threads. The python has two settings, one for suction, and one for filling the tank. Please remember however, it is dangerous to simply fill the tank with untreated water, if it is a large water change.

Cleaning the glass

There are a lot of good choices for glass cleaning: long-handled scrubbers, magnetic scrubbers, or simply take a square of clean blue filter floss and use it as a scrubber. Blue floss lets you clean all the nooks and crannies that would be difficult with the other tools.
Do not rely on algae eaters or pleco's to clean your glass and surfaces for you. Although they may get along with the parrots at first, and do a fairly good job of keeping the algae down, both species will eventually become aggressive, and try to polish the parrot's scales and fins.
When cleaning the glass DON'T use household cleaners, not even on the exterior of the tank. There are products on the market specially made for aquarium glass. For dust on the exterior of the tank, Swiffer dusters (with no products applied to them) do wonders. The glass on the outside can simply be wiped down with a damp rag (make sure it gets dried to avoid water streaks). On the inside of the tank the best option is not to let it get out of hand. If the water in your area is full of minerals look over the tank when water changes are done (biweekly usually) to make sure that there is not white build up on the glass. Once the white water stains sit for too long they actually become part of the glass and cannot be removed. There are also magnetic cleaning pads available for glass cleaning. They make this task much more simple and convenient because it can be done from the outside of the tank. Finally, pay attention to the glass while rearranging your tank and adding abrasive substrates, every little scratch shows.

External Links

Python No Spill Instructions