An aquarium (pl.: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquatic reptiles, such as turtles, and aquatic plants.

How to Properly Clean Your Fish Tank:
When people find out you keep fish, they probably imagine a crusty, algae-coated tank where you can barely see anything swimming inside. But with just a few easy steps, you can keep your aquarium looking like a beautiful work of art. Follow along as we share our top tips for cleaning your fish tank like a pro.

How often do you need to clean a fish tank?
Some people say once a week, while others say once a month. The real answer is that it totally depends! Several factors include the size of your tank, how many fish you keep, and how much biological filtration (e.g., beneficial bacteria and live plants) you have. Fortunately, we have a free guide to help you figure out exactly what frequency is right for your aquarium.

What cleaning supplies do you need to get?
If this is your first aquarium, you may need to collect some tank maintenance materials, such as:
Ammonia test strips and multi-test strips
Bucket for holding dirty tank water
Algae scrubber
Toothbrush for cleaning algae off decor or plants
Scissors for pruning plants
Dechlorinator (also known as water conditioner)
Glass cleaner
Towel for wiping up water spills
Glass-cleaning cloth or paper towel
Aquarium siphon (also known as a gravel vacuum)