Making your aquarium journey hassle-free and fun is our top priority! Fish care and information are always evolving, and we constantly learn about new methods and products. Even if you are an experienced hobbyist, you can learn new ways to keep your aquatic friends healthy and happy. This is one of the reasons fishkeeping is so appealing and fulfilling.
In this article, we’ll discuss 19 fishkeeping and aquarium hacks, and some of them are guaranteed to surprise you!
The 19 Fishkeeping & Aquarium Hacks
1. Credit Card and Algae Scraper
You can scrape the algae off the glass of your tank with an old, sturdy card. This easy yet effective method prevents stubborn algae from inhibiting your view of your beautiful aquarium.
You want to scrape the algae in a downward motion followed by hard scraping to ensure you dispatch it properly. Remember to scrape the glass in sections; otherwise, you will be left with patches of algae, but you can always redo those parts later.
2. Mesh Bags for Filter Media
If you struggle with a loud filter, a mesh bag will help. You can use e a mesh bag tea holder or a filter mesh bag from your local fish store.
Once you have added the filter media, you’ll tighten the top of the bag until everything is compressed together tightly. Once that step is complete, you can stack it in your filter with thick bunches of filter wool on each side. This will reduce the noise you are experiencing.
3. DIY Bowl/Vase/Hang-on Wall Bowl Filter
It can be challenging to find a filter that is small enough for a spherical aquarium, but do not worry; we have a great idea! You only need a miniature tea mesh bag, activated carbon, filter wool, a small air stone, and an air pump. First, layer a small bundle of filter wool at the bottom of the bag, then add a layer of your preferred filter media.
Compress the media tightly into the bag and use a spoon to make a deep hole in the center. Once that is complete, add the air stone (connected by tubing) to the hole in the bag and cover it. Then, add a small layer of filter food and tightly seal the mesh bag. Place this DIY filter at the bottom of the bowl and turn the air pump on. You now have a homemade filter and aerator.
4. Glue for Aquatic Plants
Getting your aquatic plants to stay rooted is difficult. Most aquarium substrates are not strong enough to stop your plants from floating around the tank from the flow of your filter. Some glue products, including gorilla gel superglue, are safe for aquariums. All you need to do is add a small drop of glue to the bottom of the plant and glue it in the desired place. This can be the bottom of the aquarium, on the glass, or even on pieces of wood. Let it dry for an hour, and then fill the aquarium with water and substrate.
5. Siphon for Water Changes
Most hobbyists are stuck using the outdated bucket method for water changes. The downside to this method is that buckets do not suck up the dirt in the substrate or the bottom of the aquarium. You can use a siphon, which is a large plastic cylinder connected to a thick tube. The cylinder is placed at the bottom of the aquarium, and the smaller tubing should hang on the outside in a large bucket. If you do not have a siphon with a pump, you can move the cylinder up and down in the water for gravity to move the water through the tubes and into the bucket.
You can also buy a new siphon tube that is long enough to run from the tank to the sink. These thick tubes are available online and at local fish stores.
6. Multiple Airline Tubing Connectors
If you want to save electricity and space, you may only need one air pump for your tanks. You can get airline tube connectors with two or three outlets. This allows you to plug a small tube into the air pump and to one end of the connector. Then, you can connect the other airline tubes to different aquariums. You must ensure the air pump is strong enough to push out air for the different tubes and into the tanks.
7. Activated Carbon for Crystal Clear Water
Cloudy tanks are unsightly and hard to correct. We all want to see our fish clearly through the glass. Activated carbon is a type of filter media that is excellent at clearing the water. It also reduces the smell of aquariums and can filter out unwanted substances that make their way into the aquarium, like hand lotions, dust, or aerosols.
Many experienced aquarium keepers also use this as a long-term solution for clear water.
8. Sieve for Washing Gravel
When you have a gravel substrate, it is important to rinse it thoroughly before placing it in the aquarium. An easy way to do this is to purchase a large metal sieve and pour the gravel into it. The gravel is too small to fall through the holes, but the dust and discoloration fall through the holes when rinsed underwater.
This method is more effective than rinsing the gravel in buckets. Once the water runs clear, the substrate is good to go!
9. Battery Air Pump for Power Outages
Power outages can be worrying since the fish are left without an aerator or filter for an extended period.
A solution to this is buying a battery-operated air pump. It runs on heavy-duty batteries and is strong enough to run filters and air stones through tubing connected to an air pump. The pumps can be cheap or expensive, depending on your preference, but it is good to have a few on hand in case of a power outage.
10. Slow Down the Filter Flow With Wool
If your filter’s flow is too strong, we have an affordable and easy way to combat this problem. Before you spend more money on a new filter, you should give the filter wool method a try.
Take the filter apart and find space for thick bundles of filter wool. If you have an internal cartridge filter, this can be quite easy. You may have to give it a few test runs before you find a flow that works for you. You can also remove or add more filter wool. This is great for fish that cannot manage strong currents like bettas.
11. Tea for Tannins
Tannins benefit aquatic inhabitants, but some can be too strong or weak for your liking. Natural teas are a great source of tannins for fish and invertebrates. Tannins are antibacterial, contain essential minerals, and provide a natural look to the water.
Some of the best teas for tannins are:
- Green tea
- Rooibos (red bush) tea
- Hemp seed tea
The tea bag should not include extra additives or herbs, which can harm fish. You can alter the strength of the tannins, and you have the choice of adding a few teabags overnight or boiling the teabags first and adding the tannin water to the tank.
12. UV Steriliser Kills Algae
Most algae-removing chemicals can pose a risk to the health of your aquarium, even with short-term use. They can harm live plants and invertebrates or even kill them.
This may be a more expensive route for removing algae, but it is worth it. UV sterilizers can run 6 to 8 hours a day and are very good at killing algae. They should be used in severe situations where the tank has constant algae blooms. They also effectively clear green water commonly seen in large tanks or ponds.
13. Less Fish, the Cleaner Aquarium
Hobbyists enjoy fish so much that they keep as many in the tank as possible. This can become a problem for the tank’s long-term maintenance and water quality. The more fish in the aquarium, the more waste is produced, which quickly disrupts the water quality. This is also known as overstocking the tank. As the ammonia and nitrates increase, fully stocked tanks will need more water changes.
A good rule for a cleaner and healthier aquarium is to understock it and keep a small number of fish and invertebrates in it.
14. Handheld Thermometer for Exact Temperature Reference
In larger tanks, the temperature may vary in different sections. If you want to measure the temperature in the tank, a handheld thermometer with a metal rod can provide it in a specific area. This can also help you decide whether to add another heater on the opposite side of the tank to maintain a stable temperature.
15. Cleaning Filter Tubes with Household Items
Narrow filter tubes are hard to clean. The tubes can quickly grow and trap algae, debris, and unwanted gunk inside. You can use a Q-tip to remove the residue without damaging the delicate tubing.
If you have thicker piping that needs to be cleaned, you can glue a cotton ball to a kebab stick and use it to clean the inside. You can also buy an aquarium tubing cleaner, but it is pricier, and you may need help finding the right size.
16. Remove Duckweed Quickly
Floating duckweed can be difficult to remove, but we have a quick and easy solution! All you need is a large or medium-sized aquarium net and a bucket of water. All you need to do is use the net to skim to the surface and collect as much duckweed in the net as possible. Once you have scooped a decent amount, rinse the net in the bucket of water until it is clear of duckweed, and then repeat the process. Your tank will be duckweed-free in a matter of minutes.
17. Glass Cleaner for the Outside
You can use a glass cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth to clean the aquarium glass. Spray the cleaner on the glass surfaces and wipe in a square motion to get a smooth finish. You will notice the difference as soon as you are done! However, this should not be used inside the aquarium.
If you do not have glass cleaner on hand, you can also use white or apple cider vinegar for the same effect!
18. Light Timers are a Life Saver
If you are having trouble switching off the lights at the correct times because you are too busy, buying an aquarium light with a timer will save you the hassle. A light should be kept on during the day for approximately 8 hours and switched off before 10 PM so your fish can sleep.
19. Sponge Glass Cleaner
A new kitchen sponge can be used to wipe the inside of the tank. Once you have covered every surface, you may want to do a quick water change, as the residue will float in the water column and cause minor discoloration. If you have an activated carbon filter, this problem should disappear within a few hours.
Once the waters are cleared, you will be rewarded with a clear view of your aquatic world.
Wrapping It Up
All the aquarium hacks are affordable and time-savvy, intending to make your fishkeeping journey easy and fun. We hope this article has helped you learn new methods to keep your aquarium clean and fish healthy!
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Featured Image Credit: M-Production, Shutterstock
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