How can I clean a fish tank without a siphon?
I’m wondering if there is a way to clean an aquarium if I don’t have a siphon. Or can I make one? I guess after buying all the other supplies, I’m not excited about spending more money again. I only have a 5-gallon tank, which is going through the cycling process with only one lovely calico fantail goldfish. I know that I will not be cleaning the tank for some time, but I’m trying to learn and plan ahead. I also am using a Tetra power filter for 5-15 gallon tanks. Advice anyone? Please….no rude comments. I’m trying very hard to get this right.
I realize that having a pet means spending money. I am anything but new to the pet world. I was raised on a dairy farm, have raised registered Persians, had exotic chickens, guinea pigs, dogs and had cats in general for about 30 years. I’m just not extremely well versed with fish. But I do know that sometimes there are ways to cut corners with pets. I’m more willing to spend $ on food, tank, filter, etc, than cleaning supplies. For example, I don’t spend much on cat toys anymore, since their favorites are brown packing paper and cardboard boxes (more $ for vet care). These comments are not directed to everyone -most of you have been very kind – I appreciate that.
I will probably get a bigger tank sometime, just not for a month or two. I started small to see if I could “handle” it first.
The fish store said to only do water changes once a week until the “good bacteria” gets built up and the tank is established. Just following directions/advice…..
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You can just do water changes with a large jug. 5 gallons is too small for goldfish and you need at least a 20 gallon just for one fantail. If you get a heater you can keep a betta in a 5 gallon.
EDIT: I know you ment well by starting off small but the truth is larger tanks are larger to maintain.
I know you’re not going to like this but, you need a siphon to get all of the debras and poop out of the gravel, off the bottom of the tank. Goldfish can not live in a 5 gallon tank and if it’s cycling, you need to do really frequent water changes. Each goldfish needs at least 15 gallons to be happy and healthy. Your goldfish may be fine for now but it will grow out too large for your tank. If you’re a newbie and want to have a fish that can properly fit in a 5 gallon, get a betta. They are very easy to care for and amazing looking fish. (the males, never put two males together, they will fight to death) Good Luck!
This is probably something you should of researched before getting into. Having a pet means spending money when it’s needed. and a five gallon tank is not the best home for a goldfish, no matter how small. A fantail can get over 6 inches in body length and if its a common fantail, larger. they also grow rather quickly. keeping it in a smaller tank then needed will stunt it on the outside. But here is the catch, it’s internal organs will keep growing and soon compress them till death occurs. it might not be this year or the next, but it will happen. At least you have a strong filter going. but you still need to do partial water changes every week and vacuum the gravel. there are very cheap gravel vacuums out there that double as a siphon hose.
Why will you not b e cleaning the tank for some time? Don’t you want your fish to do well? Maintaining a tank properly requires regular care, and in a cycling tank it’s even more important. A simple hose with a vacuum on the end of it is cheap and necessary and you should be doing water changes every week regardless, and as often as necessary to keep toxins at an acceptable level throughout the cycle.
And if you have heard that these partial water changes will ruin your cycle or are bad for your fish, you heard wrong, it’s a popular false myth.