Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

How to clean a fish tank effectively? Should I remove my fish?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

What is the best way to clean a fish tank? Am I allowed to remove the fish so i can clean it more properly?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 6th, 2017

Hello, and thank you for using PetCoach. The most common (and easiest) way to clean a fish tank is with a siphon-style cleaner. Fish tanks should be cleaned in stages, generally replacing 10-15% of the water at a time. There are times where a larger cleaning might be necessary, but removing the fish and changing too much of the water at once can be quite a shock and can be dangerous to the fish, so this should be saved for only extenuating circumstances. Here's a helpful video on using a siphon cleaner: http://video.petco.com/v/18852/how-to-clean-your-aquarium-with-the-aqueon-siphon-vacuum-/ And some more reading you may find interesting on general fish tank cleaning and maintenance: http://www.firsttankguide.net/waterchange.php Hope this helps!

Vote icon

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored