1: Unplug the Filter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before I do anything else, I make sure I unplug any equipment that might get damaged during the tank cleaning process.<\/p>\n

2: Prepare the Buckets<\/strong><\/p>\n

I usually use two buckets. One bucket is where I put the gravel containing the worms, and the other bucket is for the clean replacement water.<\/p>\n

3: Siphon the Worms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Siphon the worms out using a gravel siphon. I make sure not too much water gets sucked out of the tank. I use my thumb to cover the mouth of the siphon until it\u2019s beneath the surface of the gravel.<\/p>\n

Once the siphon is a good inch within the gravel, I start siphoning. Most of the detritus worms are gravel, so siphoning the gravel also siphons off the worms. I work methodically, making sure that I get all the sides of the aquarium first.<\/p>\n

4: Replace the Water<\/strong><\/p>\n

To further prevent the water level from getting too low and killing my fish, I pour clean water as I go along. I make sure to pour the clean water VERY carefully. If I disrupt the aquarium too much that the gravel and detritus worms from the bottom flow upward.<\/p>\n

When I finish siphoning the gravel and worms out, I refill the tank with clean water.<\/p>\n

5: Clean the Siphoned Gravel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just to hit two birds with one stone, I usually clean the siphoned gravel. I use a clean basin and a solution of hot water with 10% bleach. A low concentration of bleach in water is enough to clean aquarium gravel. The solution will remove the slimy algae and uneaten fish food.<\/p>\n

I leave the gravel in the solution for ten minutes, irritating the solution now and then. Leaving the gravel too long in the solution can break the pebbles chemically.<\/p>\n

After ten minutes, I drain the basin of the bleach and water solution. Then I rinse the gravel with hot water four or five times to make sure no bleach sticks to it.<\/p>\n

6: Put Everything Back in the Tank<\/strong><\/p>\n