Ceaning

[gingerjackie]

Just read Levines question about cleaning the tank and am worried that I vacuum the gravel too much. I do it most days in the evening after my fishes have finished eating. I love doing it and the fish seem to like it as they swim round the cleaner while I do it.
Dont want to upset bacteria though, so what do you think. I am new to tropical fish and just joined website , think its great.
Ginger Jackie

 

[Dragonslair]

Everyday is too much. It's doesn't give the bacteria to colonise. The fish love it because you are "rooting" up the food for them. Something that they would do ordinarily. If fish become reliant on you doing it for them and when you can't , they will take badly if they have to do it for themselves. Fish naturally root around the bottom for food, especially the bottom feeders. So don't do the job for them.
Once a week is quite enough.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

What kind of filtration are you running? If you have a decent filter then this is where most of the bacteria is anyway, and you can feel free to vacuum all you want.