Cleaning the tank

[brianriv]

Ok I have the water changes down pat now but how often should I clean the gravel. Do I do a section each time I do a water change or do I do it all once a month? Help please don't want to ruin the bacteria. Thanyou.

 

[Teelie]

Do it either way. You shouldn't lose any bacteria to the siphoning. They are well dug into the gravel and won't get sucked up. I use sand now so it's not a problem for me but when I had gravel, I tried to do it all at once.

 

[brianriv]

Ok now I am wondering if I am vacuuming right. I put the vacuum as far down as i can. SHould I just be grazing the top of the gravel instead?

 

[Teelie]

No, go as deep into the gravel as possible. You want to get all the gunk and waste that gets in there and starts to rot.

 

[brianriv]

thanks for the quick response. I got scared for a minute. I am just about out of the cycle and thought OH NO it's gonna start all over again. Thanks for the relief.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I do about one third of the gravel per water change once a week - the next time I just do a dif area.

ALASKA