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How to Clean the Garden Decor in a Fish Tank

Fish tank ornaments decorate the fish tank and provide an environment for fish to swim through. Garden decor, such as imitation plants like seaweed or coral, and other miniature structures may accrue slimy algae on their surfaces over time. Cleaning these structures helps to ensure a healthy living environment for your fish. It's possible to clean the decor without having to remove the fish and all of the water, saving time and effort. Expect the process to take about 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

Toothbrush or scrubbing sponge
Nontoxic liquid soap or bleach
Spray bottle
Blue-green algae remover
Bucket or colander

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the lid from your fish tank. Set it aside.
- 2
  Place the bucket near the fish tank. Reach into the fish tank. Pull out the garden decor one after another. Place each garden decor piece into the bucket.
- 3
  Take the bucket to a sink. Put a colander in the sink. Pour the contents of the bucket into the colander.
- 4
  Spray the garden decor with a nontoxic liquid soap. If you don't have one, mix 10 percent bleach with water in a spray bottle instead.
- 5
  Scrub the surface of the garden decor with a toothbrush or scrubbing sponge until the surface returns to its original or near-original appearance.
- 6
  Rinse the garden decor thoroughly. Run hot water through the garden decor and out the colander. Rinse the decor three or four times to ensure the soap or bleach is removed.
- 7
  Return the garden decor to its original position in the fish tank. Add a spoonful of green-blue alga remover to the fish tank water using the spoon provided in the packaging. Replace the fish tank lid.

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