Turn off and unplug the heater, filter, and any other electrical equipment
Remove fish only if absolutely necessary and place them in a safe, conditioned-water container
Wash your hands and gather a clean bucket, algae scraper, siphon, and clean cloth
Remove decorations, rocks, and artificial plants
Scrub algae from the glass with an aquarium-safe scraper
Siphon out 20 to 30 percent of the tank water
Vacuum the gravel or substrate while removing the water
Rinse decorations and equipment with old tank water
Clean the filter media gently in removed tank water, not tap water
Refill the tank with dechlorinated water at the same temperature as the tank
Reinstall decorations, equipment, and filter media
Turn the equipment back on and check that everything is working properly
Test water parameters if needed
Clean the tank regularly on a schedule to prevent buildup