Abstract: A system and method is presented for filtering waste and debris from an aquarium tank and from the water supply therein without having to empty the tank or remove the fish therefrom. The invention generally includes a movable cleaner positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the tank, mechanism for moving the cleaner along the bottom surface of the tank so that the movable cleaner dislodges waste and debris deposited thereon and directs the dislodged waste and debris toward an aperture to be conducted away from the bottom surface of the tank. The movable cleaner preferably comprises a barrier structure and moving means preferably comprises mechanical structure positioned externally of the tank. The waste-carrying water may be filtered and then returned to the aquarium or replaced with fresh water.

Abstract: A system and method for removing waste and debris from an aquarium tank and from the water supply therein without having to empty the tank or remove the fish therefrom. The apparatus comprises a movable cleaning means positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the tank, means for expelling waste and debris from adjacent the bottom surface of the tank and means for moving the cleaning means along the bottom surface of the tank so that the movable cleaning means dislodges waste and debris deposited thereon and directs the dislodged waste and debris generally toward the expelling means to be expelled thereby. The cleaning means preferably comprises a barrier structure having a metallic element incorporated therein, and the moving means preferably comprises a magnetic source, such as a hand-held permanent magnet, positioned externally of the tank beneath the underside thereof to move the barrier structure along the bottom surface by magnetic attraction.