How To Clean Aquarium Decorations

How often do you clean your aquarium decorations, and is it really necessary to clean them every time you fully clean the aquarium?

The decorations are an important part of the aquarium.

They are usually placed at the bottom of the tank or on top of the water surface.

These decorations include plants, rocks, corals, etc. and can create fun places for the fish to swim through, as well as make the tank look fun to viewers. 

Aquarium decorations are very useful in keeping fish happy and healthy.

However, they also require maintenance.

If you want to keep your aquarium decorations looking good, then you should regularly clean them. 

Cleaning Your Aquarium Decorations

If you are unsure how to clean the decorations inside your aquarium, then follow these simple rules to find out how to do so easily.

Step 1: Remove Any Debris From The Decoration

You need to remove any debris that may be stuck to the decoration.

This includes dirt, algae, dead leaves, etc.

You can use a soft brush to do this which will not scratch the surface of the material.

Step 2: Wipe Down The Decoration With A Damp Towel

Use a wet lint-free cloth to wipe down the decoration.

Make sure that there is no dust or debris left behind.

Step 3: Rinse The Decoration Thoroughly

Rinse the decoration well using fresh water.

It’s best to rinse the decoration under running tap water for about 30 seconds.

Step 4: Dry The Decoration

Dry the decoration by patting it dry with a paper towel.

Do not leave it sitting in the sun as this will cause damage to the plant.

Step 5: Put The Decoration Back In The Tank

Once they are dry, put them back in the tank once you have cleaned it.

This means everything will be clean and ready to have the fish back in their home without any toxins floating around in the water. 

How To Clean Aquarium Plants

The most common method used today is to use a spray bottle filled with warm water and some mild detergent.

Spray the entire plant thoroughly until it has been completely soaked.

Let sit for at least ten minutes.

Then gently wash it off with a damp rag.

If you don’t want to use chemicals, then just use plain old warm water and a soft sponge.

How To Clean Rocks In Aquarium

The easiest way to clean rocks in an aquarium is to take a bucket of warm water and a couple of drops of dish washing liquid or vinegar.

Mix together well and pour over the rocks. 

Allow the mixture to soak into the rock for about five minutes.

Rinse the rocks under running water and allow them to air dry.

A Few Tips 

Whilst it is pretty straight forward, here are a few tips when cleaning the decorations of a fish tank.

Store The Decorations Properly

When not in use, store the decorations away from direct sunlight.

Also, store it in a cool place where it will not become too hot that it affects the material and paint.

Change The Decoration In Fish Tank If Needed

If the decoration starts to look unhealthy, change it out.

The same goes for the aquarium itself.

Use The Right Cleaning Products

Most of the time it is best to use a toothbrush, a sponge and hot water to clean the aquarium decorations, but there are special fish cleaning products available.

Always make sure that they are suitable for the type of fish you have, because it may be toxic.

Check The Label Before Buying

Make sure that you check the labels of the cleaning products you buy.

Look for ingredients that are dangerous to fish.

This is especially useful if you use dish soap to clean the decorations and aquarium.  

Low-Maintenance Decorations To Make Cleaning Easier

If you are looking for decorations that require low-maintenance, but still want the tank to look good, then there are some great options available.

Using artificial driftwood or fake plants do not require any extra looking after.

This means no special lighting, and they will not change the tank water chemistry.

Also, if you are on a budget, artificial decorations are usually cheaper too. 

Why Is It Important To Keep The Tank Clean?

It is essential to clean the tank and decorations so that your fish live a happy and healthy life, for as long as possible.

If you do not, you risk the growth of algae, as well as toxins slowly poisoning your fish. 

Whilst it is important to clean the aquarium, you must not over clean the tank.

This can risk other health hazards to your fish and shorten their life.

A balance between both cleaning it enough and not too much must be figured out early on.

This means knowing when you are going to clean the tank, such as on a weekly basis, and decide when to also clean the decorations.

One good way of doing this is by cleaning one decoration each time you clean the tank, rather than all of them in one go.

This avoids the risk of re-cycling which might take place otherwise and affect your fish. 

Other Ways To Keep The Fish Tank Clean

There are other things you can do to avoid the tank becoming extra dirty.

These are keeping the tank out of direct sunlight, using decorations that require low maintenance, and limiting the light to the tank to be around 10 to 12 hours.

What you are looking to do is avoid algae growth by not exposing the tank to extreme light, as well as remove toxins that may be sitting at the bottom of the water due to the fish excreting and leftover food.

How To Remove Calcium On Fish Tank With Vinegar

It is not uncommon for calcium deposits to build up on the glass of the aquarium.

When this happens, you will want to remove it to make sure the glass stays shiny and see-through. 

Instead of spending a number of hours scraping at the calcium, you can make a vinegar solution that will do the job quickly. 

All you need to do is add one part white vinegar to 3 parts warm water into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the affected area.

Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away with a damp lint-free cloth.

Final Words

Cleaning the decorations in a fish tank is quite straightforward, however, if it is your first time it can be rather daunting.

One of the things you do not want to do is accidentally kill your fish, be that by not cleaning the tank properly, or by using a chemical that you are not sure is safe to do so.  

Fortunately for you, once you know how to clean the decorations properly, it really is not difficult to do.

With hot water and a cloth, the decorations will stay safe and toxic-free for your fish to enjoy.