As an aquarist or fish keeper, sometimes you can spot jelly balls in your fish tank. They hide underneath plant leaves and rocks, making them difficult to detect.
Those gelatinous creatures will feed on nutrients in the water. More importantly, they will thrive if you don’t handle them in time.
So, how to clear jelly balls in a fish tank? Let’s read on to find out!
Contents
Are Jelly Balls Bad?
Jelly balls are typically generated by the bacterial decomposition process. They can form in a fish tank for other reasons, including too much nitrite or ammonia.
They should not be difficult to detect with some skilled aquarists, which can quickly see their presence after they have occurred in aquariums.
Jelly balls are one of the annoyances you can encounter as an aquarist. The gelatinous slime’s tiny blobs will ruin your tank’s aesthetics and can be fatal to your aquarium inhabitants.
The good news is that it’s not too complicated to clear jelly balls in your fish tank.
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How to Clear Jelly Balls in A Fish Tank?
The best you can do is to change the water in your aquarium as follows.
Step 1: Gather the Needed Equipment
You will need to prepare the following tools to get the job done:
- Thermometer
- Water testing kit
- Water conditioner
- Algae magnet or pad
- Siphon gravel vacuum
- A bucket (5 gallons or whatever you have)
Step 2: Prepare New Aquarium Water
Faucet/tap water may contain many unwanted heavy metals, chlorine, and toxins, harming aquatic inhabitants. Plus, it is probably going to be the incorrect temperature.
So we recommend filling up a water bucket, adding the water conditioner, and leaving it to sit overnight. That way, the chlorine will evaporate, and the water conditioner will make it safe for your aquarium.
It also allows the water to reach room temperature and reduces the chances of the aquarium’s temperature changing dramatically.
If there are any problems with the pH and hardness of the water, you will have time to change the water and make sure all parameters are in place.
Step 3: Prepare The Aquarium
If your aquarium comes with one water heater, you should position this unit so it will stay submerged while siphoning out water. If it becomes exposed, it might crack or break. We also suggest switching the filter off.
If you can position the heater, so it does not become exposed, disabling it for a short period is okay.
Also, it is a good idea to turn your filter off if it is at risk of running dry (when the intake tube is exposed because of low water levels).
If air can get into the filter, it will most likely break or damage your system.
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Step 4: Clean Your Aquarium’s Sides and Decorations
Utilizing a dedicated algae magnet or pad instead of a scrubber from your kitchen is wise. The reason is that scrubbers might come with cleaning chemicals or detergents, which can harm your fish.
If you own one acrylic aquarium, you must ensure whatever you utilize cannot scratch it. Lightly scrub your decorations utilizing your algae pad. If you are truly struggling, removing them is okay.
What you need to avoid is using boiling water or bleach. Boiling water can kill beneficial bacteria, while bleach can poison your fish.
Step 5: Siphon the Water & Clean the Substrate
First, you’ll need to siphon the tank’s water directly into a bucket. Buying a bucket purely for this goal is best since residue from detergents and soaps has the potential to harm your fish.
While siphoning the tank water, carefully go through the gravel to eliminate waste as much as possible.
Avoid using a vacuum, such as a shovel, if you use sand. We recommend using the hose part and keeping it approx one inch from the surface to remove waste.
If you have small fish and are worried about sucking them, using a never-worn stocking on your siphon end is okay. Just ensure your mesh is big enough to allow debris to enter.
Siphon the tank water till 10 to 15% of the water gets into your bucket.
Step 6: Wash Filter Media
Replacing your filter media is not recommended as it will remove so much bacteria and upset your tank’s water chemistry, shocking your fish.
If it is excessively dirty, cleaning it is okay. Wash them with water in your bucket instead of tap water, as tap water contains chlorine, killing the beneficial bacteria in the filter.
Step 7: Pour New Water
Utilize your thermometer to ensure that the temperature lands in the proper range for your aquarium. Remember that a significant water tank temperature change can harm or even kill your fish.
If you are satisfied with your tank water, carefully pour it into your aquarium.
Keep in mind that your fish will need space between the water surface and the top of your tank, allowing them to get enough carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange to breathe.
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How to Minimize Jelly Balls?
The best way is to change the aquarium water regularly. That means changing 10 to 15% of the water every week. Doing so will help remove dirt, dead fish, or jellies that can build up over time.
Another method to clean an aquarium is to use an enzymatic cleaner. It breaks down the bacteria and proteins that may have driven the build-up of the jelly.
FAQs
Is It Okay To Utilize Vinegar To Clean My Fish Tank?
Yes, vinegar is a great option to clean aquariums. You can also utilize vinegar to clean and remove mineral deposits from aquarium plants.
How Often Should I Change the Aquarium Water?
We recommend changing 10 to 15% of the water per week. If your aquarium is heavily stocked, rise to 20% weekly.
How to Change Tank Water Without Killing My Fish?
Just ensure you do not disturb the beneficial bacteria in your filter and the substrate.
What Is the Ideal pH for an Aquarium?
It should be between 6.8 and 7.8.
Can You Put Tap Water Straight Into a Fish Tank?
You should not do it. Tap water contains chlorine, which can kill the beneficial bacteria in the filter.
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Wrapping It Up
We have given you a step-by-step guide on changing the water in your aquarium, which will help you clear jelly balls in your fish tank.
Hopefully, this article will be helpful to you. Thank you for reading!
