Aquarium fish can live for three to seven years, or sometimes even longer. Often, people who own fish are surprised when they only live for a few months. In many cases this may be due lack of proper maintenance. Cleaning a fish tank does not have to be a time consuming or expensive task. Items that can be used for this job are:

• Clean rags and paper towels
  
• Algae scrapers
  
• Bucket
  
• Filter brush
  
• Glass cleaner for aquariums
  
• Bleach
  
• Siphon

Remove the fish from the tank if you are doing a full cleaning. Put the fish in bags containing water from the aquarium or a small fish bowl. After you have finished cleaning the tank, put the bags to float in the water for about fifteen minutes. This will bring the water in the bags to the same temperature as the tank water. Or if you had placed them in a small bowl, wait for a while until the water in the original aquarium is back to room temperature before replacing the fish in the cleaned tank.

It is not always necessary when cleaning a fish tank to remove all the water. In fact, depending on how dirty it is, removing 10 to 15 percent of the water is usually enough. The first step is to use the algae scraper to clean the inside of the tank. You should be able to find these at any pet store. Keep in mind that these are different from scrapers or scouring pads you will find in a regular store. If you have a deep tank, be sure to get a scraper with a long handle.

Take out any of the tank fixtures that are visibly covered in algae or dirt. Make a mild bleach solution (10% bleach or less) and soak the fixtures for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse them off and place them back in the tank. Some plants used in aquariums can handle a mild bleach solution. When you purchase them be sure to ask at the store if this is the case.

Use the siphon to clean up the decorative gravel. It is easy for waste and algae to get between the tiny stones and eventually create a hazard for the fish. There are different types of siphons on the market, so ask for advice before buying one. For the most part siphons function in a similar manner, but there are some that actually filter out the water and return it to the tank.

Use the glass cleaner to wipe the outside of the tank. If you are unable to get a special cleaner, use vinegar or a bleach solution, as they work just as well. Now the only thing that is left is the filter. Unless the filter is actually falling apart it is not necessary to change or clean it. A lot of bacteria beneficial to the fish live in the filter. Cleaning it or changing it can lead to the build up of toxins, which can prove harmful to the fish. Simply rinse the filter in the water that was removed from the tank.

If you do decide to clean the filter, it must be done at a separate time. Some filter media actually have to be changed after a few weeks. You should be able to get this information when you purchase the filter. A filter brush can be used to clear excessive build up, but when cleaning, ensure that the water is the same temperature as that in the tank.

For tanks that are excessively dirty, it may be necessary to remove all the water, and put in fresh water. The water should be at the same temperature to maintain the levels of beneficial bacteria, and the sudden change could cause the fish to die from shock. Periodically the water temperature should be checked as part of your regular maintenance. Cleaning the tank once a week is enough to prevent having to do a lot of major cleaning.

There are also fish that can make the task of keeping the tank clean an easier one. The Chinese algae eater, catfish and the trunk barb are all fish that either eat algae or consume food left at the bottom of the tank. Snails are also useful in this regard, but it should be remembered that they can reproduce quickly. Some of them will also feed on the aquarium plants, so introduce them to the tank environment with caution.