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It's unfortunate, but true... your Sea-Monkeys® are always at risk of being invaded. Bacteria and other uninvited contaminants pose a constant threat to our aquatic pals. But fortunately, there are steps we can take to stop such an invasion. We've covered this in a previous section, but it deserves another mention... it's important that any item that gets inserted into the aquarium is clean. This includes an 'Aqua-Leash', a spoon, a straw, a thermometer, or anything else. If our tools of aeration are not clean, we run the risk of introducing contaminants into our Sea-Monkeys® water every time we use them. The sad fact is, many people do not clean these items... and it's a real shame. Something very useful like the 'Million Bubble Air Pump' which is intended to provide oxygen, can also cause harm if not cleaned regularly. I'm fairly stringent with this and clean these items both before and after I use them. But I would suggest that you at least clean the item afterwards.
Yes... cleaning the above mentioned items is important... but do not use any soaps or detergents! An item washed with soap, even when thoroughly rinsed, can still have a small residue of soap left... and that's all it would take to harm your pets. Remember, soaps and detergents are formulated for humans... and even the smallest amount to us represents a lethally high chemical concentration for your Sea-Monkeys®. It's a good practice to thoroughly rinse these items (inside and out) with clean water (preferably distilled) after every use, and then dry with a clean paper towel. Allow them to dry completely and then consider storing them in a zip-lock baggie until needed again. I know it all sounds like a bit much, but once you get into a routine, it's easy! ... besides, your Sea-Monkeys® will personally thank you... by living longer!
It's certainly a good idea to perform minor cleaning of the floor of your aquarium. By minor, I'm referring mainly to the removal of Sea-Monkeys® that have passed on. An 'Aqua-Leash' is obviously the best way to perform such tasks. And what about that 'yuck' that can accumulate at the bottom? This 'yuck' consists of shed Sea-Monkey® skins (exo-skeletons), waste, unhatched eggs, food excess, and even algae. Don't be too eager to remove this sediment. By doing so, you also remove part of their eco-system. Some (including myself) have cleaned their Sea-Monkeys® water by filtering it through a coffee filter. Having done this twice in the past, I now feel I can recommend against it. While it's true that doing so returns the aquarium to that clean state it was in when you first started the colony, you also remove all of the green algae and brown diatoms (as well as unhatched eggs). Once a colony becomes dependent on these, it can literally be a shock to their systems when these nutrients are removed. If you've got a serious surplus of 'yuck' and you're insistent on removing some of it, then go ahead and do so with your 'Aqua-Leash'... but I highly advise you don't remove all of it. When it comes down to it... the best way you can keep their tank clean is by simply not overfeeding them.
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