One question - what would you use to clean the outside of the glass? Obviously Windowleane or similar products are out of the questions so how to you get a streak, smear free finish on the glass without risking harm to your fish?

Other than that can I suggest a good investment for the beginner is a proper aquatic sponge on a stick as this avoids the small chance of getting a standard kitchen sponge that contains soap, fragrancer or other chemicals?

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i just use damp kitchen paper then dry it off with clean kitchen paper

Yeh I use a piece of soft cloth that I keep under the tank just for cleaning the glass, works nicely, even after a visit from my little nephew and niece (cleans up sticky hand marks and snot alike!! )

my 100 litre tank drips down the front of the glass, and stains it, and i tried all sorts, but in the end i bought an aquarium wipe by API. Think it cost about £4 for 30ish, and they're really good and don't smear either, and you cna use them inside your tank too.

But if not i use a plain old cloth and warm water and dry with a tea twoel.

I just found yesterday API also do an aquarium safe glass cleaning spray that does a pretty good job too. They do recommend you rinse before use if you apply it to the inside of the aquarium though.

Hi

I am fairly new to this -and my IFS recommended sand as a substrate. They told me this was easier to maintain and clean, however I find that if I get to the surface to pick up faeces etc I either take a lot of sand, or cannot clear the bottom properly.
Is there any way to clean the sand properly without disturbing it too much?
Any tips would be gratefully received. Currently I use a siphon is there a better tool?

I have found this site invaluable and thank all who have assisted.

Kind Regards

Syphon your sand through a pair of old tights,

One suggestion I've heard on these forums is to swirl the syphon gently above the sand creating a little eddy. I've found this does help turn the sand over and most of the crud is pulled up faster than the sand. As the sand goes into the syphon stop swirling and it drops back out.

I have a tetratec easycrystal filter, im not convinced by its power though. Only got it two months ago but was considering a fluval one as people have recommended them, any thoughts?

Hiya Sian... have no experience of Fluvals myself but I am led to believe they are good. It may be better to start your own seperate topic on this, may get more replies that way. If you could include info on what size your tank is and which fish you have in there we coul try and suggest the best filters for you