🧼 20 Gallon Aquarium Cleaning Schedule (8 Step Beginner Routine)

Keeping a 20-gallon tank clean doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with just 20–30 minutes a week, you can stay ahead of algae, ammonia spikes, and cloudy water. This 8-step cleaning schedule works for planted tanks, shrimp tanks, and beginner freshwater setups — no special equipment needed.

🗓️ Weekly Aquarium Maintenance Checklist

• Step 1: Unplug heater and filter (safety first!)
• Step 2: Use a sponge or algae scraper on glass (inside only)
• Step 3: Trim plants and remove floaters if needed
• Step 4: Gently vacuum gravel or substrate (20–30% area)
• Step 5: Remove 20–30% of tank water using a siphon
• Step 6: Rinse filter sponge in a bucket of tank water (never tap water!)
• Step 7: Refill with temperature-matched, dechlorinated water
• Step 8: Replug filter/heater and check for normal function

💧 Water Change Tips for 20 Gallon Tanks

• ✔️ Use a gravel vac to remove detritus from the substrate
• ✔️ Treat all new water with dechlorinator (like Seachem Prime)
• ✔️ Avoid large water changes unless there’s an emergency
• ✔️ Match new water temperature within 1–2°F of tank temp

🌿 What to Clean – And What to Leave Alone

• 🧽 Clean: Front glass, decor with algae, filter sponges, open areas of substrate
• ⛔ Don’t Clean: All your filter media at once — you’ll lose beneficial bacteria
• 🌱 Only Trim: Plants that block light or flow — don’t uproot the whole tank

📊 Quick Visual Schedule

Use this chart as a weekly guide. Print it, bookmark it, or save it to your phone to stay consistent and avoid overcleaning.

🔗 Related Maintenance Guides

• Tank Cycling 101
• Aquarium Setup Checklist
• Stocking Ideas That Reduce Cleaning
• Fast Plants That Help Water Quality

Want a printable PDF version of this cleaning schedule? Drop a comment and I’ll send it to you!