The World's Most Trusted Source of Information About the Fascinating World of Fishkeeping Jump to Site Navigation Algae scrapers, not surprisingly, are used to raze algae off tank walls. Those fitted with razor blades are perfect for glass tanks, but acrylic requires special plastic blades to prevent scratches. The blade is mounted on a handle to enable you to keep your hands out of the tank. Another type is the magnetic algae cleaner, which uses an abrasive pad against the glass and a strong magnet on the outside of the glass. When you move the magnet around the glass, the scraper cleans the glass. Make sure you don’t get grains of sand or gravel between the blade or pad and the tank, or you will severely scratch the glass or acrylic. Scrape before changing the water so you can siphon out the algae that is removed. Gravel cleaners are an indispensable part of efficient water changes. The larger diameter of the tube reduces the suction of the drain hose, causing the gravel to be lifted only partway up the tube.

The agitation separates the debris from the gravel, and it flows up the tube and out the drain, while the gravel gradually falls back down. By moving the tube throughout the substrate while siphoning out the water, you can remove most of the organic waste from the tank. You can certainly perform water changes with a hose and a bucket, but there are several devices to make things easier. The first type incorporates a water-driven pump. These are hooked to a faucet; when the water is turned on, the water flowing through the device sucks water from the aquarium. Then you turn a valve and the tank refills through the same hose. There are also automatic water changers that mount on the tank rim. They siphon and fill simultaneously through a water-driven pump device and can be left running on an aquarium for extended time periods for a constant, gradual water change. Complex controllers are available that constantly monitor temperature, water chemistry, and other parameters. Some will activate various other devices, such as CO2 generators, when they detect certain changes in the aquarium conditions.

Some will even call your cell phone or pager, or email you if they detect a parameter outside a specified range.fish tank glass cleaner india You can use test kits to measure a wide variety of water parameters: pH, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and even more specialized things like the concentration of copper, oxygen, calcium, etc. fish tank glass is greenTesting is vital if you use any supplements, since you have to know before and after values to determine the proper dosage.new fish tank is getting cloudy Some kits contain a solid or liquid reagent that is added to a sample of aquarium water, while others contain dip strips already impregnated with various reagents. fish tank water quality monitor

In all cases, you read the result by comparing the water sample or dip strip to a standard—usually a chart with colored gradations. fish tank water change systemEven more accurate results can be obtained with electronic probes, which are available in an ever-increasing variety. fish tank stand comboA digital readout gives a precise value. Besides being more expensive, these testers need to be kept calibrated. Many aquarists use timers to turn the tank lights on and off at fixed times. Some timers can be set with multiple on and off times, and fancier ones can control more than one set of lights. With these you can simulate dawn, high noon, dusk, and even moonlight. If you run a refugium, timers can keep the tank lights and the refugium lights on opposite schedules. Timers can also be used on dosing pumps for additives or for topping off.

They are very useful to run CO2 infusers only when the aquarium lights are on. Timers can also be part of a wave maker; one way to simulate wave action is to have different water pumps cycling on and off, and the better timers can do this. Classic Q&A: Test Kits Are test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate accurate? Are they necessary for maintaining a healthy aquarium? Jason Strictland (Swartzcreek, Michigan) Yes, the various test kits for ammonia and nitrite are usually accurate, although some are better than others. Some become inaccurate past the expiration date, so you want to be mindful of that.We lived without them for a long time, and some hobbyists still make due without them. However, it is a real advantage to be able to discover just what may be going on with your aquarium water. In the old days, aquarists may have known when there was something wrong, but they didn’t know exactly what it was. Water testing helps us keep a finger on the pulse of the aquarium, and test kits are one of the useful tools for maintaining a successful aquarium.

Log in to TFH DigitalQuick Start GuidesOwner's ManualsTroubleshooting Guides"How To" VideosFlood / Disaster HelpWater Terms GlossaryHelpful Links What is a Utility / Drainer Pump? Read your manual for installation, operation, and safety information. This guide neither supplements nor replaces the Owner’s Manual. What is a Utility / Drainer Pump?A utility pump (also called a drainer pump) is a small portable electric device designed to automatically drain an area of unwanted water. It is typically not permanently installed and is plumbed so that its discharge is directed away from the drained area.In an emergency, a utility pump is the first pump you want to have on hand. Use these devices to remove water from window wells, rooftops, flooded areas or for draining sinks, aquariums and waterbeds.Moving water quickly and efficiently from place to place is what utility pumps are specifically designed for. To choose the best pump for your purpose, first decide what type of pump you need and then what type of work you need done.

Submersible PumpsA submersible utility / drainer pump is an integrated design that places both the motor and the pump inside a sealed housing. These pumps are designed to be completely immersed in water, which makes them ideal for larger or deeper pumping projects.CAUTION Pump only clear water with utility / drainer pumps. Do not use this pump in water with fish present. If any oil leaks out of the motor it can kill fish.Cost (0-5 scale): 2 Non-Submersible PumpsThese pumps cannot be placed in water. Instead they use hoses to move water from one location to another, making them perfect for various household projects.Cost (0-5 scale): 2 Types of Projects• Flooded Areas - To remove standing water from window wells, rooftops or basements, choose a submersible utility pump. For problem or re-occurring flood areas, consider an electronic water-sensing utility pump that turns on and off automatically.• Indoor Projects - For draining clogged sinks or transferring water to and from aquariums or waterbeds, choose a non-submersible multi-purpose transfer pump.• Recreational - Draining a boat cover or swimming pool cover is easy with a DC powered pump that connects to a 12V battery for fast

, reliable water transfer and remote operation.Once you have determined the type of utility / drainer pump you need, go shopping for the model that is made from the finest materials and is backed by a strong warranty.How to Prime a Utility / Drainer PumpMost non-submersible utility / drainer pumps are self-priming. After placing the inlet hose into the water source and turning on the pump, water should flow automatically within five minutes. If water does not flow, turn off the pump and let it cool for 10 minutes. Follow these instructions to obtain proper water movement.Cost: From $0 to complete pump replacementDifficulty: SimpleItems Needed:• Pump• Inlet hose and filter• Discharge hose• Bucket of clean waterStep One – Attach hosesUse ½” or larger reinforced inlet hose less than 10’ above the water source and less than 25’ away from the source. Inspect inlet filter and hose to ensure they are not blocked by dirt or debris. Attach filter and hose to pump inlet, taking care to tighten firmly for a leak-free connection.

Attach discharge hose (no more than 25’ long) to discharge outlet, again taking care to tighten the connection firmly. Step Two – Prime the inlet and start pumpIf the inlet hose is longer than 6’, fill the hose with clean water. Place the hose into the water source and immediately turn on the pump. Water should flow out of the pump within five minutes. If water does not flow, repeat this step once again.Should the pump fail to work, either replace the inlet hose (as it may have air leaks) or move the pump to within 6’ of the water source before trying again.Utility / Drainer Pump MaintenanceUtility / drainer pump maintenance depends on the type of liquids it was used to pump. Obviously, the ‘dirtier’ the liquid, the more aggressive the cleaning solutions need to be. Durable pump components were used, but they can be weakened by chlorine-based products. Keeping your sump pump working at its optimal best will provide a longer life for your pump.Cost: From $2 to $14.Difficulty: EasyItems Needed:• White vinegar• Stiff bristle brush• Clean waterStep One – Prepare cleaning solutionPour 2 cups of white vinegar into a five gallon bucket and fill bucket with clear water.

Step Two – Clean surfaces and flush internal components• Submersible Pump - Clean out the opening(s) where the water flows into the pump. Remove any debris from the inlet screen. Dip the pump into the bucket to wet it, and then pull it out. Use the stiff bristle brush to scrub off any surface deposits. Place the pump into the bucket and turn it on. Let it pump the bucket empty, taking care to direct the discharge into a suitable location. Let the pump air-dry and store in a cool dry location.• Non-submersible Pump - Clean the pump inlet and discharge openings, making sure to remove all debris from the inlet screen. Dip the stiff bristle brush into the bucket to wet it, and then use the brush to scrub off any surface deposits on the pump. Connect the inlet and discharge hoses to the pump and place the inlet hose into the bucket. Turn the pump on and let it pump the bucket empty, taking care to direct the discharge into a suitable location. Disconnect the inlet and discharge hoses and let the pump air-dry.