cleaning solutions to use

Question
Hello! I have had my tank, with my one cichlid, for about two years now. Whenever I clean the tank, I just scrub it using hot water. I was just wondering if there were any cleaning solutions or products that I could use to get it cleaner without hurting my fish at all?? I've been too scared of hurting my fish before so I never use anything but water!! Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hi Allison
If you're talking about cleaning the outside of the tank, what I do is use a vinegar and water mixture, spray it on the paper towel away from the tank(there's no chemicals in vinegar so it's ok, I'd still spray away from the tank so as not to alter the ph)and wipe the glass down.  If you have those crusty hard water spots, you can carefully use a razor blade to try to scrape them off.  

Now, if you're talking about cleaning the inside of the tank, like algae on the sides of the glass?  I use one of those magnetic algae scrapers, or even an aquarium sponge, or some filter floss for the stubborn stuff that doesn't want to come off easily.  Now, I hope you're not completely emptying your tank and cleaning the insides out with hot water.  You didn't specifiy, so I have to mention it :)  You don't ever want to do that, because you're basically killing off all your beneficial bacteria that's living on the substrate, filter, filter media, decorations, etc.  Killing them off will cause your tank to re-recycle again, stressing the fish.  

I don't usually advise anyone to do a thorough cleaning, but if for some rare instance you need to, a bleach water solution is ok to use.  But you need to be sure to rinse very very very good.  Rinse until the bleach smell is gone, and then I recommend using a little dechlorinator in the tank after that.  I did this when I bought a used tank/equipment from someone.  I wanted to be sure there was no chance of diseases being spread, so I did that with no ill effects.  People have this notion that their tanks have to be immaculately clean, no algae anywhere.  That's really not the case, a little green on the filter and such is actually better for the fish/tank.  

Hope that helps!!

Christy