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Categories
Pets and Animals
Fish
Aquariums
Aquarium Maintenance and Repair
Cleaning Aquariums
How to Clean Fish Tank Rocks Download Article Co-authored by Aaron Bernard
Last Updated: October 16, 2025 References
Download Article
Washing Gravel in Small Tanks
|
Washing Gravel in Large Tanks
|
Maintaining Your Aquarium Gravel
|
Expert Q&A
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Aaron Bernard. Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals. This article has been viewed 76,221 times.
Uneaten food and fecal matter can settle in the bottom of your fish tank, making your gravel grimy. Periodically removing this waste and debris creates a healthier environment for your fish. Whether you have a small tank with just one goldfish or a large tank with many exotic fish, you can clean your aquarium gravel at home and keep your fish happy and healthy.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Washing Gravel in Small Tanks
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1 Remove your fish from the tank. If you have a single small fish, such as a goldfish or a betta, it is easier to remove it from the tank for gravel cleaning. Fill a clean container as close to the size of your fish tank as possible with non-chlorinated water. Use a drinking glass or a fish net to gently move your fish from the tank to the container.
2 Remove the accessories from your tank. Unhook your water filter, and remove any plants or decorations from your fish tank. Set these aside. The tank should be full of only water and gravel before you begin cleaning. Advertisement
3 Rinse the gravel with treated water. Gently pour the water from your fish tank through a colander. Under a stream of lukewarm water, agitate the colander to loosen and wash away any stubborn debris. Do this several times until the water coming off your gravel runs clean and clear.[1]XResearch source
4 Replace the gravel on the floor of the tank. When the gravel is clean, spread it evenly back over the bottom of your fish tank. Reattach your water filter and set up any decorations as desired.
5 Set your tank back up. Refill your fish tank with non-chlorinated water. If your breed of fish necessitates any other particular requirements, such as water of a certain pH, treat your tank accordingly. When everything is in place, gently submerge your fish and its holding container in the tank, letting your fish swim free.
Consult your local pet store for more information about the water requirements of your particular fish.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Washing Gravel in Large Tanks
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1 Do not remove your fish from the tank. If you have many fish or exotic breeds, do not remove your fish from the tank for gravel cleaning. Doing so for the extended period of time required to clean a larger tank can be stressful for the fish. It’s also not necessary when using a gravel siphon, a special gravel-cleaning tool for larger tanks that you are going to use.[2]XResearch source
2 Place a plastic bucket on the floor near the tank. Buy a clean bucket that you only use for fish tank maintenance. Place it at a lower level than the aquarium so gravity can do most of the work for you.[3]XResearch source
Do not use a household bucket that might have chemicals from prior cleaning projects. Although you are only using this bucket to discard fish water, it’s really best to keep your pet’s supplies separate to avoid confusion.
3 Position the gravel siphon. Place the cylinder end of the gravel siphon in the tank, such that the opening is resting at the bottom in the gravel. Guide the plastic tubing at the other end over the edge of the tank, holding it in your hand over the waiting bucket.[4]XResearch source
4 Suck on the tubing end of the gravel siphon to create negative pressure. Immediately place the end of the tube in the waiting bucket after doing this. As soon as you suck, negative pressure will be created in the tube, and dirty fish tank water will flow through the tubing to the bucket. This is what you want but be careful not to suck too long, as you might get a mouthful of aquarium water.[5]XResearch source
If you can’t stomach sucking on the tubing, some siphons make special priming balls that start the siphon for you. Seek one out at your local pet or aquarium store.
If you do end up drinking a little water, rest assured this is not harmful.
5 Use the cylinder end of the siphon to remove debris. Once the siphon is going, you don’t need to do anything to maintain the pressure. While the water flows freely, press the open, submerged end of the siphon down into the gravel. Move from one end of the tank to the other, pressing the mouth of the siphon down into the gravel with a circling motion to vacuum up debris. The suction may lift a piece of gravel or two into the cylinder of the siphon, but it will not be able to suck it into the tubing; simply shake loose any gravel bits that rise up.[6]XResearch source
You should see matter being sucked out of the gravel as you work. If you don’t, press the opening deeper into the gravel.
As you move the siphon about the tank, be careful not to bump or frighten your fish. Work slowly.
6 Do not drain more than 25% of the water from the tank. Doing so can upset the balance of good bacteria in the tank.[7]X Expert Source Aaron BernardFish & Aquarium SpecialistExpert Interview Plus, your fish are still in there, and they need it even though you’re cleaning.[8]XResearch source
7 Discard the dirty water. Once you have vacuumed the gravel to your satisfaction, remove the gravel siphon and set it aside. Discard the dirty water in the bucket by pouring it into your sink or into your toilet. Wash the siphon in hot water.
8 Refill your tank. Once gravel cleaning is complete, refill your tank to its normal level with non-chlorinated water. If your fish have any special requirements, such as PH adjustments, be sure to perform those as well.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Maintaining Your Aquarium Gravel
Download Article
1 Change your aquarium filter per the manufacturer’s directions. Keeping on top of water-filter changes will prevent your gravel from collecting extra grime. Make a calendar reminder to help you remember to change it regularly.
It can be helpful to let your new and old aquarium filters run in tandem for a couple days to keep from changing the ecosystem of your tank too rapidly.[9]XResearch source
2 Clean your gravel every two weeks. Clean your gravel every other week to maintain the health of your fish and your tank. Doing so more often is unnecessary and may remove beneficial bacteria from the environment.
3 Avoid using detergents or harsh cleaners.[10]X Expert Source Aaron BernardFish & Aquarium SpecialistExpert Interview Most commercial cleaning solutions are toxic to fish. Always wash your gravel with plain, non-chlorinated water. If your gravel is so dirty that these methods are not cleaning it, buy new gravel rather than trying a stronger solution.[11]XResearch source
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Expert Q&A
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Question How often should I clean my tank water? Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals. Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist Expert Answer I recommend doing a 25% water change about once a month to keep your tank clean without removing too much of the healthy bacteria. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 6
Question Do these methods also help get rid of the bad smell in the gravel? Community Answer Yes; it gets rid of the algae, which usually causes the smell. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
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Warnings
It's not necessary to wash gravel all the time. It can actually be detrimental to the bacteria living on the substrate, and disturbing rooted plants while removing their nutrients is not good. Only wash if you need to.[12]X Expert Source Aaron BernardFish & Aquarium SpecialistExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Never wash gravel with soap. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
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Colander
Container
Gravel siphon
Bucket
Water
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↑ Aaron Bernard. Fish & Aquarium Specialist. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist This article was co-authored by Aaron Bernard. Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals. This article has been viewed 76,221 times. 41 votes - 77% Co-authors: 5Updated: October 16, 2025 Views: 76,221 Categories: Cleaning AquariumsArticle SummaryX
To clean the rocks in your fish tank, start by moving your fish to a separate container and taking out any accessories in the tank. When you're finished, pour the tank water and gravel into a colander, and rinse the gravel under a stream of lukewarm water to clean it off. Shake the colander a few times to help dislodge any stubborn debris on the gravel. Once the water coming off the gravel runs clear, spread it back out on the bottom of your fish tank. Replace all of the accessories, then refill your tank with nonchlorinated water before putting your fish back in it. To learn how to clean the rocks in a big fish tank using a siphon, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist 41 votes - 77% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 5Updated: October 16, 2025 Views: 76,221
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Co-authored by: Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist This article was co-authored by Aaron Bernard. Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals. This article has been viewed 76,221 times. 41 votes - 77% Co-authors: 5 Updated: October 16, 2025 Views: 76,221 Categories: Cleaning Aquariums Article SummaryX
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1 Remove your fish from the tank. If you have a single small fish, such as a goldfish or a betta, it is easier to remove it from the tank for gravel cleaning. Fill a clean container as close to the size of your fish tank as possible with non-chlorinated water. Use a drinking glass or a fish net to gently move your fish from the tank to the container. 
2 Remove the accessories from your tank. Unhook your water filter, and remove any plants or decorations from your fish tank. Set these aside. The tank should be full of only water and gravel before you begin cleaning. Advertisement 
3 Rinse the gravel with treated water. Gently pour the water from your fish tank through a colander. Under a stream of lukewarm water, agitate the colander to loosen and wash away any stubborn debris. Do this several times until the water coming off your gravel runs clean and clear.[1] 
4 Replace the gravel on the floor of the tank. When the gravel is clean, spread it evenly back over the bottom of your fish tank. Reattach your water filter and set up any decorations as desired. 
5 Set your tank back up. Refill your fish tank with non-chlorinated water. If your breed of fish necessitates any other particular requirements, such as water of a certain pH, treat your tank accordingly. When everything is in place, gently submerge your fish and its holding container in the tank, letting your fish swim free. 
1 Do not remove your fish from the tank. If you have many fish or exotic breeds, do not remove your fish from the tank for gravel cleaning. Doing so for the extended period of time required to clean a larger tank can be stressful for the fish. It’s also not necessary when using a gravel siphon, a special gravel-cleaning tool for larger tanks that you are going to use.[2] 
2 Place a plastic bucket on the floor near the tank. Buy a clean bucket that you only use for fish tank maintenance. Place it at a lower level than the aquarium so gravity can do most of the work for you.[3] 
3 Position the gravel siphon. Place the cylinder end of the gravel siphon in the tank, such that the opening is resting at the bottom in the gravel. Guide the plastic tubing at the other end over the edge of the tank, holding it in your hand over the waiting bucket.[4] 
4 Suck on the tubing end of the gravel siphon to create negative pressure. Immediately place the end of the tube in the waiting bucket after doing this. As soon as you suck, negative pressure will be created in the tube, and dirty fish tank water will flow through the tubing to the bucket. This is what you want but be careful not to suck too long, as you might get a mouthful of aquarium water.[5] 
5 Use the cylinder end of the siphon to remove debris. Once the siphon is going, you don’t need to do anything to maintain the pressure. While the water flows freely, press the open, submerged end of the siphon down into the gravel. Move from one end of the tank to the other, pressing the mouth of the siphon down into the gravel with a circling motion to vacuum up debris. The suction may lift a piece of gravel or two into the cylinder of the siphon, but it will not be able to suck it into the tubing; simply shake loose any gravel bits that rise up.[6] 
6 Do not drain more than 25% of the water from the tank. Doing so can upset the balance of good bacteria in the tank.[7] Plus, your fish are still in there, and they need it even though you’re cleaning.[8] 
7 Discard the dirty water. Once you have vacuumed the gravel to your satisfaction, remove the gravel siphon and set it aside. Discard the dirty water in the bucket by pouring it into your sink or into your toilet. Wash the siphon in hot water. 
8 Refill your tank. Once gravel cleaning is complete, refill your tank to its normal level with non-chlorinated water. If your fish have any special requirements, such as PH adjustments, be sure to perform those as well. Advertisement 
1 Change your aquarium filter per the manufacturer’s directions. Keeping on top of water-filter changes will prevent your gravel from collecting extra grime. Make a calendar reminder to help you remember to change it regularly. 
2 Clean your gravel every two weeks. Clean your gravel every other week to maintain the health of your fish and your tank. Doing so more often is unnecessary and may remove beneficial bacteria from the environment. 
3 Avoid using detergents or harsh cleaners.[10] Most commercial cleaning solutions are toxic to fish. Always wash your gravel with plain, non-chlorinated water. If your gravel is so dirty that these methods are not cleaning it, buy new gravel rather than trying a stronger solution.[11] Advertisement 
Aaron Bernard Fish & Aquarium Specialist Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals. 
Community Answer Yes; it gets rid of the algae, which usually causes the smell. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5