Salt : Simple And Effective For Cleaning Aquariums

  I read a lot admittedly.I've come across many essays and blogs debating the best thing to use for

cleaning your tank.Some suggestions make it seem as if the fish owner is trying to poison the fish.The

worst I ever heard is someone who recommended that you wash your tank with diluted bleach.No

disrespect to those who do this but I would simply never take that kind of risk with my fish.Bleach is

extremely hard to wash off and it's really poisonous.If you've ever washed your bathroom with

bleach,you will know that it releases some really terrible fumes that can make you really nauseous.

  I'm not condemning people who use bleach to clean their tanks.If done correctly and diluted with

enough water,it may be quite effective.My point though is,why take the risk?Furthermore,many of us

use tanks which are made out of acrylic or in layman terms,plastic tanks.Bleach can cause chemical

reactions when it comes in contact with acrylic.It can make your plastic tank hazy if not used

properly.And worse still,if you don't clean it thoroughly,it may just kill your fish.
 
  Currently I have two tanks.A glass one that is probably 7 or 8 gallons and a plastic 2+ gallon one.I

keep the glass one at home but I bring my plastic one with me when I study at college.As a

student,we aren't allowed to keep pets and frankly buying expensive cleaning agents is out of the

question.My solution is cheap and simple.Salt and hot water.

  A scientific experiment by Dr. Sarah Forgie, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases(haha yeah I

know,it's dealing with kids and their diseases but it still involves bacteria so we can use this bit of info

here) discovered that using a saline solution properly can be as effective as using disinfectant wipes

when it comes to cleaning plastic.

  So don't look down on the humble pinch of salt.It won't harm your fish if any residue is left behind

on your aquarium.A bit of salt may be beneficial for your fish.Sometimes if I want to thoroughly

clean my tank and the gravel,I soak the tank in a warm saltwater solution.For the gravel I soak it in

hot water and salt and keep changing the water until the algae and dirt are totally removed.The algae

will die and fall off pretty quickly when the hot saltwater hits it.Don't be stingy with the salt.More is

better than less.Salt doesn't damage your tank or harm your fishes.If you want to be extra

careful,letting your tank get a little exposure to sun will kill off bacteria as well.Just be careful if

you're using a plastic tank,don't let it be under too direct sunlight for too long.You can leave rocks and

gravel under the hot sun though.Kill's off bacteria effectively.