NEVER cleaned the aquarium?

Question

I had a 30 gallon tank with guppies and platys. I NEVER cleaned the tank and all was fine. How long could I have gone not cleaning the tank.

Answer 1

this is a question without a definate anwser it would all depend on things like how many fish by topping off the tank wen water evaporated you would be replaceing needed minerals and if there were not way to many fish in the tank it would go a long time on it's own eco system any algae would help control nitrate levels though the nitrates will eventualy get to a harmfull level if you do not have live plants in the tank

how long this would take is beyond anyones ability to anwser it could be years or it could be months

at the same time it could be setting the tank up for a major deases out break they could kill off the tank in a very short time  

Answer 2

you probably should clean the tank eventually. even if you don't see algea, etc. there can still be a lot of residue and gross things under the gravel and in the water and such.

I would suggest purchasing a syphon and syphoning out your tank....

and change your filter too

Answer 3

1 year...maybe

Answer 4

Well, it could have been a number of years as long as you did water changes. Algae does not hurt the fish, but ammonia does.

Answer 5

If you don't put your hands in it it would probally be good for a few months

Answer 6

You should clean the take whenever it looks nasty. Sediment and goop will settle on the bottom.

Water changes do help though.  

Answer 7

i bet they are sick.

you'll kill them :O

Answer 8

With good filtration, and a low "bio load" (meaning there weren't alot of animals to dirty the place up), the tank was able to form a natural ecosystem where waste was used by beneficial bacteria and/or other microscopic life.

Live plants (if you have them) also contribute to these ecosystems.

How long can it go?

I wouldn't chance finding out.