How I Keep my Tanks Clean in Under 15 Minutes a Week

Equipment

Everything used in this routine, start to finish.

• 27-gallon totes — Costco + dolly
• 32 oz deli containers

Optional — RODI Water Prep (Recommended)

Remineralized RODI water is the gold standard for consistency and control.

Tap water can work for low-demand tanks, but for anything beyond easy plants — or if you want predictable results — use RODI + remineralizer.

My Setup (High Efficiency, No Lifting)

• Store water in 27-gallon totes (Costco), with 2 totes per dolly for easy transportation
• "Double box" each tote (one inside another) as a leak safeguard
• Double up lids if stacking; do not stack more than 2 high

Production (RODI Fill)

Mixing Process (APT Sky)

1. 1
   At ~90 minutes
   Place a submersible pump at the bottom of the tote — ensures full circulation and prevents settling.
2. 2
   In a separate container
   Fill a 32 oz deli container halfway, add 1 scoop of APT Sky, shake for ~10 seconds.
3. 3
   Pour into the tote
   Add to the pump inflow for immediate distribution.
4. 4
   Final step
   Set a 30-minute timer — by the time the tote is full, water should be fully mixed and clear.
5. 5
   Highly recommended
   Re-mineralize water at least 48 hours before use so it reaches room temperature and minimizes stress on fish.

Step 1 — Remove Dirty Water

You can use a Python water changer (sink-powered), but it's too slow for multiple tanks or larger volumes of water.

My method (faster + consistent):

1. 1
   Place a submersible pump inside a mesh bag — prevents shrimp or livestock from getting sucked in.
2. 2
   Connect tubing from the pump to your sink (via the water change kit).
3. 3
   Drop the pump into the tank and turn it on — water is pumped directly from the tank → sink → drain.

Step 2 — Add Clean Water

1. 1
   Roll your RODI tote next to the tank.
2. 2
   Attach tubing to a second submersible pump.
3. 3
   Secure the tubing into a fish breeding box using 2 clamps (more stable than 1).
4. 4
   Hang the breeding box on the tank — the holes diffuse flow and prevent disturbance.
5. 5
   Turn on the pump to refill the tank.

Best Practices

• Stagger your tanks and combine water changes with glass cleaning. This can nearly double your speed.
• While one tank is filling, the next tank should already be draining.
• Always have all clean water prepared before you start.
• If all tanks are in the same area, go from largest to smallest.

Example Workflow

1. 1
   Clean inside glass of tank #1 with a Mr. Clean Melamine Sponge — knocks debris into the water column so it gets removed during the water change.
2. 2
   Start draining tank #1 with your dirty water pump.
3. 3
   While tank #1 is draining, clean inside glass of tank #2.
4. 4
   Once tank #1 is drained, begin refilling with new water pump.
5. 5
   While tank #1 is refilling, start draining tank #2.
6. 6
   Once tank #1 is full, move the new water pump to tank #2 and refill.
7. 7
   Repeat across all tanks.