How do you clean a 55 gallon fish tank?

- 5-gallon bucket

- Small gravel vacuum

- Tank hose

- Scrub brush

- Algae scraper

- Clean towel

- Aquarium salt

- Water conditioner

Step 2: Clean Aquarium Decorations

- Wash non-living ornaments and plants with warm water and mild detergent. Rinse and set aside.

- Remove any live plants and set aside.

Step 3: Clean the Tank Sides

- Partially drain the aquarium to remove dirt, leftover food, and debris that accumulated at the bottom. Save this dirty water in the 5-gallon bucket.

- Use the algae scraper to remove stubborn algae from the tank sides.

- Scrub the tank sides with the scrub brush (not the one you clean your toilet with) to remove debris.

Step 4: Clean the Substrate (Gravel/Sand)

- Gently vacuum the substrate, paying close attention to the areas under rocks and ornaments.

- Be careful not to vacuum too deeply as this can disrupt the beneficial bacteria that live in the substrate.

Step 5: Replace the Water

- Refill the aquarium with conditioned tap water to the original level.

- Add aquarium salt (according to the package instructions) to help reduce stress in your fish.

Step 6: Reintroduce the Decorations and Plants

- Carefully reintroduce the washed decorations and plants into the aquarium.

Step 7: Reintroduce the Fish

- Use a net to gently capture and release your fish back into the clean aquarium.

Step 8: Turn Off Air Pump and Filter

- Turn off the air pump and filter. Let the tank sit for 24 hours to allow the newly-added water conditioner and aquarium salt to fully distribute and reduce stress on your fish.

Step 9: Turn On Air Pump and Filter

- After 24 hours, turn the air pump and filter back on.