As alot of us recycle products from around the home like plastic bottles,newspaper and the likes, recycling what comes out of your aquarium is a thought often overlooked.

The first and most obvious is the water. With water becoming a more scarce and expensive product, waisting water seems to make little sense. A long hose will take your water to the garden or water your pot plants on the patio. You can even combine a gravel clean into the equation as the waste from your aquarium will make excellent fertilizer for your lawn or plants. Aquarium water often contain nitrates and although in low quantities for plants, it is still a good food source for them. Just remember that if you use salt or medications that it may be better to simply skip this procedure until they are removed from your tank. Also seeding with aquarium water may cause leaf curl. It may be better to wait until the plant is 3-4 inches before using aquarium water.
Cleaning a cannister filter or sump can offer small recyclables as well. Old filter wool and activated carbon can be used during potting of plants. Again leave all the waste/nutrients in the wool as your plants will thrive on it. Place a layer of your wool in the base of the pot and refill with potting mix. Not only are the nutrients there but the wool will also retain moisture on those hotter days.

Unwanted gravel can be used in many ways. Some people use the gravel as part of a mix for bird averies. Mixing gravel with coarse beach sand and shell grit produces a mix that can be thrown on the floor of the cage. Being coarse means removing the mixture is easy as is replacing. Using your gravel may take a little thought but I’m sure there are many ways to utilize it. Post in the comments if you have any ideas..

Dead fish may be buried in the garden, again as a fertilizer.

If you have a planted tank and its constantly overgrown, then simply trim the excess and add into compost or use as a mulch.

waste not, want not

Chuck