The first time you clean your aquarium is often an interesting experience, an experience in which most people find they are confused about whether they are doing it right. When you buy your aquarium you should be offered advice and information about how best to clean in and how often you should consider a tidy up. However if you were not given this advice the first time, here we offer you information about how to clean your aquarium. Before starting on the cleaning make sure that you wash your hands. This will prevent the tank from becoming contaminated by anything that you might have on your hands. Also remember to wash your hands after you have finished the cleaning process. As you get started, make sure that you turn off any lights or heating you have in your aquarium. Also make sure that you turn off the filter. Place a bucket alongside the aquarium. The first task you will do will be to vacuum the gravel at the bottom of the tank. Catch the vacuumed water in the bucket. Removing roughly half of the water in the tank is a good amount. Once you have finished this, tip away the water.