Xiaomi’s smart aquariums are not just a decorative element of the interior, but a complex ecosystem with automated water filtration, lighting and control systems. Models like the Mi Fish Tank or Xiaomi Smart Aquarium require a special approach to care: it is important to take into account not only mechanical cleaning, but also interaction with the Mi Home mobile application, as well as the specifics of smart components. Unlike traditional aquariums, where it is enough to change the water and clean the glass, you need to monitor the sensors, update the controller’s firmware and properly handle electronics.
Many owners face problems after the first cleaning: reset lighting settings, temperature sensors fail, or the aquarium completely stops syncing with the application. The reason is often one of the most common – violation of the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance of electronics. In this article, we will discuss how to clean the Xiaomi aquarium without risking damage to smart functions, which tools to use, and how often to perform the procedure for different models.
We will focus on three key aspects:
- Electronics safety (controllers, sensors, LED-lighting).
- Compatibility of cleaning products with aquarium materials (acrylic vs glass, silicone seals).
- Saving ecosystem settings after cleaning (how not to reset sensor calibration).
1.Preparation for cleaning: what to do before the procedure
Before you start cleaning, disconnect the aquarium from the network and make sure that all smart devices (pumps, heaters) are used, LED-panels are turned off via the Mi Home app. It is not enough to just remove the plug from the socket - some Xiaomi models have backup capacitors that can keep charge up to 5 minutes. To avoid short circuit, wait for full discharge (power indicator must go out).
Next, prepare the tools. Xiaomi's smart aquariums are not exactly suited to abrasive sponges or metal scrapers, they scratch the touch panels and damage the anti-reflective coating of the glass.
- 🧽 Soft microfibre wipe (for example, for glasses).
- 🧴 Special scraper for aquariums with plastic blade.
- 🧪 Water test strips (pH, ammonia, nitrites) – their readings should be recorded before and after cleaning.
- 🔌 Isolated gloves (if you have to work with electronics under water).
If your aquarium is equipped with an automatic feed system (as in the Mi Fish Tank Pro), be sure to remove the stern unit and clean it separately with a dry brush - getting moisture into the mechanism will lead to a jamming of the servo.
2. Cleaning of glass and decorations: step-by-step instructions
Start by removing algae from the glass. Xiaomi aquariums often use anti-reflective glass, which can not be cleaned with alcohol-containing solutions or vinegar.
1 litre of distilled water
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 drops of liquid soap for aquariumsApply the solution to a microfiber wipe and wipe the glass in circular motions, avoiding the sensor area (usually located in the upper corners). For hard-to-reach places, use a flexible magnetic scraper with a plastic coating.
The decorations (stones, snags, artificial plants) are cleaned separately.
- Take out the decor and wash under running water (temperature not higher than 30)°C).
- For disinfection, soak for 15 minutes in a solution of hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration, 1 tbsp. spoon per 1 liter of water).
- Rinse and dry thoroughly on a paper towel.
Check if there are any plants on the decor (they are cleaned separately)|
Make sure that the decor does not contain electronic elements (for example, LED-lighting)|
Use only soft brushes (a toothbrush with soft bristles will do)|
Do not use bleach or aggressive detergents-->
Warning: If the aquarium has smart decorations (e.g., with lighting synchronized with the app), you can't completely immerse them in water.
3. Filter and pump maintenance: features for Xiaomi
The filters in Xiaomi’s smart aquariums are integrated with the water quality monitoring system, and you can’t:
- 🚫 Use tap water to flush the sponge (chlorine kills beneficial bacteria).
- 🚫 Disassemble the pump without first disconnecting from the Mi Home (risk of resetting calibration).
- 🚫 Dry the filter under direct sunlight (UV radiation destroys plastic).
Step-by-step cleaning the filter:
- Turn off the filter in the application (Devices) → Your aquarium. → Filter settings → Turn it off).
- Remove the filter element and rinse it in the drained aquarium water (not in the running water!).
- Check the impeller of the pump for hair or threads – they can be removed with tweezers.
- Collect the filter and turn it on through the application, waiting for synchronization (the indicator should burn green).
If the filter does not turn on or makes uncharacteristic noise after cleaning, check:
- 🔌 Connection to the network (the cable must be dry).
- 📱 Synchronization with the application (sometimes you need to reconnect the device).
- 🔧 Integrity of sealing rubber bands (when worn, the pump will "buzz" on idling).
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After cleaning the filter, do not feed the fish for 12 hours, which will help stabilize the bacterial balance.
4. Water replacement: how much and how often
Xiaomi’s smart aquariums don’t recommend a complete water replacement — it knocks sensor settings and disrupts the ecosystem.
| Aquarium volume | Replacement volume at a time | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–30 litres | 10–15% | Every 7-10 days | Use water that has been laid for 24 hours |
| 30-60 liters | 15–20% | Every 10 to 14 days | Add water conditioning (e.g. Tetra AquaSafe) |
| 60-100 litres | 20–25% | Once every 2 weeks | Check the nitrate level before replacing |
How to properly drain water:
- Turn off the heater and filter in the app.
- Use a siphon with a thin tube so as not to touch the sensors at the bottom.
- Drain the water slowly, avoiding sudden level changes (this can cause false alarms of the leak sensor).
- Add new water of the same temperature (difference not more than 2)°C).
After the water change, it is necessary to:
- 🔄 Recalibrate the water level sensor in the application (Settings) → Sizing → Water level).
- 🌡️ Check the thermometer readings (adjust the target temperature if necessary).
What happens if you pour tap water without settling?
5. Electronics cleaning: controllers, sensors, backlights
The electronic components of Xiaomi’s smart aquarium require a special approach.
- 📱 Main controller (usually located in the top cover).
- 💡 LED-address-lighting panel.
- 🌡️ Temperature and pH sensors (can only be wiped with a wet wipe).
How to clean electronic parts:
- Disconnect the aquarium from the network and remove all electronic modules.
- Wipe the case with a wet wipe soaked in distilled water.
- To remove lime plaque from sensors, use a cotton swab dipped in a solution of citric acid (5 grams per 100 ml of water).
- Dry parts in the air for 1 hour (do not use a hair dryer!).
If the sensors show incorrect values after cleaning (for example, the temperature jumps or the pH is fixed at the same level), reset the calibration:
- Open the Mi Home app.
- Go to the Devices. → Your aquarium. → Sensor settings.
- Select the problem sensor and click Reset calibration.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to place the sensor in water with known parameters).
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After cleaning the electronics, always check the seals tightness, and even a small leak can cause a short circuit in the controller, which will lead to the breakdown of the entire aquarium.
Disinfection and algae control
If you have brown or green algae in your tank, don't use chemical algicides, because they can damage your sensors and filters.
- 🌿 Increase the number of living plants (they compete with algae for nutrients).
- 🐟 Add snails (such as neritin) or shrimp (neocaridine) that eat algae.
- 💡 Reduce the duration of lighting in the application (optimally – 6-8 hours per day).
For disinfection (for example, after a fish disease), use only safe methods:
| Method | How to apply | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| UV sterilizer | Install in the filter for 3-5 days | Once in 3 months |
| Hydrogen peroxide | 1 ml 3% solution per 10 liters of water | Once a month |
| Temperature rise | Raise to 30.°C for 2-3 days | At the first sign of algae |
Warning: If you use a UV sterilizer, turn off the automatic lighting adjustment in the app. UV radiation can damage the photo sensors responsible for monitoring the intensity LED-lighting.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced aquarists make mistakes when caring for Xiaomi’s smart aquariums.
🔴 Mistake 1: Cleaning an aquarium with a net.
Consequences: Short circuit, failure of the controller or pump.
How to avoid: Always remove the plug from the socket and wait for the discharge of the capacitors (the power indicator should go out).
🔴 Mistake 2: Using household chemicals to wash glass.
Consequences: Clouding of anti-reflective coating, death of fish from the residues of detergents.
How to avoid: Use only specialized aquarium products or soda solution.
🔴 Error 3: Ignoring firmware updates.
Consequences: Failures in the operation of sensors, incorrect display of water parameters in the application.
How to avoid: Check for updates in Mi Home regularly and install them before cleaning.
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If after cleaning the aquarium stopped syncing with the application, try to reset it to the factory settings. To do this, press the reset button on the controller (usually it is hidden under the lid) for 10 seconds.