Cleaning Large Fish Tanks

Fish ponds beautify the garden it provides delight and pride to the owner. Ornamental fishes and plants should be visible under the water to serve this purpose. Large fish tanks take much time and effort to clean. Netting the fish and putting them in another container causes stress which may kill it, not to mention fishes jumping out of the net or the new container. Filters and pumps clean the fish pond but there will still be occasions when you need to change all the water in the pond. Complete water change and cleaning involves handling the fish which frequently causes undue stress and mortality. I stumbled upon a large cement fish tank which is uniquely designed to eliminate the need for physically removing the fish before complete water changes and thorough cleaning of the cement tank walls and floor.

The fish tank is long and has a cement partition in the middle. The partition is lower than the tank wall to allow fishes to swim over it when the pond is completely filled with water; this is the normal setup of the tank. When the time comes that a complete water change is needed, the fishes are led to one side of the fish tank. Water will then be drained using a hose to serve as siphon. Continue to drain water on the side of the tank without fish until it is completely empty. Use plastic bristle brushes to remove some of the algae clinging on the walls and the floor. Scoop out sludge and other solid waste on the floor. Fill it up with water and you’re done. Repeat the procedure on the other side of the fish pond.

As an aquarist or even just someone who loves keeping ornamental fishes, it is a joy to see your pond clean and clear without putting too much stress on the fishes.



"It's cleaning time, move over fishy"