How do YOU clean your tank?

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:12 am

I've got to be the most disorganized crabber there is. My tank cleans take hours (6 seems to be the average) and I make a huge mess from the tank in the LR to the kitchen sink. I have substrate in the carpet, sand in the sink, grit on the counters and I use boatloads of paper towels. (as someone who prides themself on being environmentally conscious that last one kills me). Once it's clean it takes me another two hours to put it back together in a pleasing manner. I think the crabs even roll their eyes when they sense it coming. lolIt doesn't help that my biggest tank is a 72 and I throw the substrate in rubbermaid tote to be dragged out to the woods and dumped. Each 1/3 -1/2 of a tote I stop and drag it down a flight of stairs and across the yard or it's too heavy for me.When the tank is done the kitchen needs major housekeeping. I dread it. Does anyone have an organized process for tank cleaning?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:24 am

I totally agree with you CA! I make a mess not matter how organized I am. But what I started to do was use a bucket or large tub to put all of the deco into as I take it out. This minimizes the sand or EE from falling off as I carry it to the sink. I use a bowl for moss and any other smaller stuff. I also keep a garbage can near by if needed. I find that having different tubs, buckets, and bowls for the different things helps keep it all organized and when I am done with the cleaning its alot easier to put everything back in the TAT.I know that this isnt the best solution cause its still messy, but when it comes to the crabs I dont think that there is a completely NON messy way to do it. If there is I would love to know how, LOL.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:51 am

Probably the one and only thing I do that's not consistent with my messy habits is I've started to throw down an old sheet or blanket to catch substrate spills since I tend to catch the lip of the tank when I'm removing it.I like the idea of a shop vac but I've always got someone buried whose whereabouts are unknown and rather than scoop I shave until I nick a pocket, then I set a dish or piece of decor over the hole and work around it. I'm not in the habit of removing anyone that's buried unless I spy movement of limbs or antenna through the nick hole.

Dramatic Hermiexx · Post by **Dramatic Hermiexx** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:12 am

My deep cleans aren't organized in the best way. The stuff in the tank is just thrown on a sheet on the floor to reduce the substrate mess(doesn't help much). I put the old substrate in like 10 plastic bags and it gets everywhere. I spill water on the floor all the time and have to hear my grandma telling me I'm ruining her [already ruined]wood floors. My room looks like ground zero when I'm finished. During the last one, I clogged a vacuum.

hermitcrabaddiction · Post by **hermitcrabaddiction** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:50 pm

I don't think there's a non-messy way to clean a tank LOLI throw away my substrate but hubby's gotta carry out the trash can a few times to dump it in the garden bin. Sand gets everywhere. But I do have a bin for the decorations, garbage can to toss out the moss etc. I used to shop vac the bigger tanks(120g & 60g) when I had them. But we went through the tank in sections and had ot be 100% certain all crabs were accounted for.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:39 pm

Nope, not organized at all and I dread doing it. We have a giant metal bucket that I put the dirty sand in, but somehow it seems like a half pound of sand gets scattered anyway from tank to door until the bucket gets taken outside and then I have to lug the tank to the sink and rinse it out and dry it, creating even more of a mess. Sand gets in the drain and everything. And yeah, I feel like I use a roll of paper towels in the process. I guess a soft kitchen towel would be the better choice but I grab whatever's handiest at the time. I need to pay somebody to do my tank cleans.

promesaforever · Post by **promesaforever** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:26 pm

I am sooo glad I'm not the only (messy) one!!! I was going to ask the same question myself, since most of you are way more experienced than me. I end with substrate all over and it seems to take me forever!!! And I only have a ten gallon! I know many of you have much larger tanks to deal with and I always wondered HOW do you deep clean such large tanks when I take forever to clean a 10 gal! (I will be upgrading very soon when I get a 20 long from a friend of mine who is giving me hers) Thanks for the post!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:30 pm

I find it easy, I take all their toys out, wash them and set them to dry and just replace the sand, I usually just shovel it into a bucket which gets dumped into a bin and dumped around a tree, then I just pour the new stuff in and replace the crabs and their toys. I didn't know people had such a problem with it :S

spidtat · Post by **spidtat** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:07 pm

I am cheating this time. Instead of doing a deep clean as usual I upgraded my tank to a 100 gallon tank and I am going to set it up and put some new stuff in it the crabs have not had yet, then I will just switch my tanks and be done. Of course next time will be a different story but that is next time right? (May just do the same thing and set the 75 back up who knows )

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:14 am

After reading this post the other day I did my first deep clean of my 55 gal tank. It took me 3 1/2 - 4 hours to get all the old out, clean the glass and put all new, clean stuff back in. Once the hermies were safe and sound I went to bed. And I still have 2/3rds of the aftermath spread around the house. Good thing I live alone. I get to it little by little before and after work each day.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:15 am

I use a dust pan to dig out the E. It cuts down on the spills and gets it done faster.