How often should i clean out my fish tank and how ??

Question

i have a fish tank about 16 inches wide and 12 inches tall with 5 fish in . how often should i clean it and cant i just remove half of the water with the fish still in the tank and replace it with fresh water ? i dont want to harm the fish with the net they r fragile . besides the tank is kinda still clean so what should i do ?

plz help

Answer 1

i would remove 1/3rd with a vacume so you get SOME of the gunge out of the gravel. then use a magnetic pad to clean inside&out of the glass at the same time, clean the filter in the bucket you put the dirty water in so you don't destroy the good BUGS that keep the nitrites down, replace 1 filter in the pump if it has 2 and replace the other next time, refill with fresh tap water with something likestress coat by A.P.I. added to remove poisons from the water like CHLORINE, CHLORAMINES and AMMONIA, add water slowly and at the same Temp, not to shock the fish. Do this once every week, 'cept the filter which is done 1nce a month and your fish will love you for the lovely clean home, 'cos that is what you give them.

Answer 2

You don't want to take too much water out at once, or you could stress out your fish and too drastically change chemical levels in the water.  I'd recommend changing 1/4 to 1/3 of the water using a gravel vacuum every week or two.  The fish can stay in the aquarium the whole time, so they shouldn't be too stressed out.  That way, you'll have happy fish and a clean tank.  Good luck!