How to clean without freaking out fish?

[mrsjoannh13]

So... water changes... I do them weekly. I try to be as non-invasive as possible but sometimes I do have to take ornaments out to clean off or wipe down the glass - normal aquarium maintenance type stuff. I try to go slow and not disturb the fish, but the tank's not gonna clean itself! My fish always seem stressed afterwards, especially if a larger water change is needed (more than 20% or so). Any suggestions on how to minimize stress to my little fish friends? Thanks!

 

[mcordelia]

I hate to say it, but bigger tank lol. When I used to clean my 55g, I would always do the same things in the same order, would always start at the same end, and tried to be predictable with my movements (gravel vac in a consistent pattern etc). Another thing that I found to be helpful (again, bigger tank luxuries), is that when I was cleaning one side of the tank I had the lights off on the other side, and vice versa. That way the fish had a "safe" area to go to. My fish always seemed lively and boisterous after a water change, so I think your concerns are valid in terms of trying to reduce their stress.

I've heard various suggestions ranging from "put a bowl on top of the fish to keep them in a dark cave for a while" to "net them out and put them in a bucket", but maybe something that is realistic is to do less stuff more frequently. ie, if one day you do a gravel vac, don't also take the ornament out to clean it the same day. Or, one water change you scrape algae off the glass but don't gravel vac, and then the next water change you gravel vac but don't deal with the algae. That way the process overall would take less time, and the number of distractions the fish would have to endure decreases.

Another aspect also is that your fish are still relatively "new". Once they get used to the routines, they should show less stress because they've experienced the same disruptions a hundred times.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

@mcordelia - all great points - thank you so much. I am upgrading this weekend so hopefully the bigger space will give them more areas to get away from the evil gravel vac. I didn't want to take them out while cleaning as I figured that might be just as traumatic. So hopefully the bigger tank will help. I have definitely found that when I forget to turn the overhead (room) lights off right after I'm done they seem to stay amped up longer. So remembering to darken the room for a bit and keep the lid light off seems to help.

 

[Fishmanic]

I would’ve went with Nelson myself. Or Sammy.

Another aspect also is that your fish are still relatively "new". Once they get used to the routines, they should show less stress because they've experienced the same disruptions a hundred times.

My fish dont seem very stressed during WC as they are used to the water changes. Yours will get used to it too.

 

[FFGuest6357]

I’ve got a fine gravel substrate, and it’s black, with a black background, black trim and black caulking.

I tried turning lights out, not reduce stress, but to calm my neons down. They seem to love the gravel vac, if I turn away for a second, one of them tries to get sucked up. But with lights out, it’s hard to target dirty spots to clean.

I try to stagger cleaning responsibilities in between water changes, to not disturb or remove anything as much as possible. And keep the siphon away from my tetras, they love it for some reason.

 

[FFGuest6357]

@mcordelia

that’s the same reaction my son had when one swam too close and got sucked up into the siphon. Had to tilt it up and pinch the hose to stop the flow so it could swim out.

they aren’t so bright. I mean physically they are but...

 

[mcordelia]

ROFL
Way back when, I had otos who would do the same thing. Unfortunately for everyone involved, my setup back then had my gravel vac connected to a siphon that went all the way to the basement drain....

 

[mcordelia]

Oh, I should clarify: the tank was on the 1st floor, so the speed that stuff would whizz down the tube was something else....

 

[FFGuest6357]

That’s unfortunate!

I could only guess you have a siphon with a filter on it now...?

anyways back to the OP’s original point now that we have sufficiently gotten off track. I just use gentle movements and try my best not disturb the environment.

there is the possibility that trying to clean everything at once and moving things around could add stress. Clean one area at a time, that would be my starting point

 

[mcordelia]

@Naterjm that was 15 years ago, so I am confident to say that nothing is the same anymore haha

 

[FFGuest6357]

@Naterjm that was 15 years ago, so I am confident to say that nothing is the same anymore haha

So I guessed right!