Five Gallon Fluval Cleaning

[Captngutts]

Newbie here to the reefing game. I have this five gallon tank with 2 fish, a few small coral frags, a blood shrimp, two turbo snails and 3 small hermit crabs. (Likely too much livestock, but this tank will eventually be used as a quarantine tank, livestock will be moved to a bigger tank. The target bigger tank is in 1st week of it’s cycle.) Water tests are fine except nitrates are running high. I’ve been doing weekly 30-40% water changes to reduce nitrates but they are having a negligible effect.
Also, when doing water changes on such a small tank I try to vacuum up as much detritus as I can but it’s difficult given the rock (cramped space) and the fact that I’m syphoning out water so fast. (Really got to work fast!)
Any ideas on efficient detritus clean-up and nitrate removal would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[MB1227]

I would check out the rip clean thread, basically the idea is you remove your fish and coral to a holding tank / bucket. Remove your rock and rinse it with saltwater. Drain your water, scoop your sand out and then rinse it over and over in tap water until it’s 100% clean with no clouding. Then give a final rinse with RODI water, clean whatever else in the the tank and then re add everything to the tank. That will get all the detritus out of the sand and tank. Check out the thread @brandon429 has. He’s super helpful. I’m getting ready to use his process starting tomorrow for a tank transfer and will be posting updates as well

 

[Captngutts]

I would check out the rip clean thread, basically the idea is you remove your fish and coral to a holding tank / bucket. Remove your rock and rinse it with saltwater. Drain your water, scoop your sand out and then rinse it over and over in tap water until it’s 100% clean with no clouding. Then give a final rinse with RODI water, clean whatever else in the the tank and then re add everything to the tank. That will get all the detritus out of the sand and tank. Check out the thread @brandon429 has. He’s super helpful. I’m getting ready to use his process starting tomorrow for a tank transfer and will be posting updates as well

Thanks! I’ll definitely look into this.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Get a cheap canister filter and use it for detritus cleaning only.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

detritus removal is acheived with good flow in tank, basically, keep it in water colum so it can be filtered out by your filters. Also, I use a turkey baster to blow into the rocks before I do a water change, the holes and tunnels in the rocks can hold a lot of nasties.

As for nitrate, you only say nitrate is high but you don't say how high. EDIT: and frankly, with 2 fishes in a 5 gallon, it will always be a challenge to keep nitrates low

 

[jabberwock]

That tank is super clean. Looks very new. There is no way you need to rip clean. Start by adding flow by getting a small powerhead.

Do micro daily water changes. A red cup out, and a red cup of new salt water in every day.

 

[I never finish anythi]

You just need more flow .

 

[Captngutts]

Implemented. Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

Just do bigger water changes. There is barely any water in there. You can also rinse the filter sponge more frequently (I do not like filter sponges as they make is a pain).