Cleaning your gravel

[Zorba]

I am getting my tank on tuesday, and my girlfriend was telling me about how long it takes to clean the gravel. Now, from what i read on here, cleaning the gravel isnt something that you do.

Now, my girlfriends dad has been keeping fish for years, and the only problem he has had is a bout of whitespot once, and other than that, has hardly lost a fish. he has even sucessfully bred, including axolottles and silver dollars.

Can someone shed some light on the topic?

Thanks

 

[yhbae]

What do you mean cleaning gravel? If this is to take it out of the tank and wash them thoroughly, no you never do this. But cleaning to remove any dirty stuff trapped in the gravel using syphon is greatly beneficial to the fishes in the tank, and you should try to do this every time you change water.

 

[Final Dynazty]

You should clean the gravel b4 u set up a new tank. to clean off anydust or dirt.

 

[Sylvia27]

I have tried to "vacuum" with the syphon but I'm really not good at it.
I guess I need some more practice.

I got a black snail who is "cleaning the ornaments of my tank (she's doing a great job!) and I also have a cory catfish and dwarf frog who take care of food leftovers.

However, I believe they only take care of the food leftovers, and not the "fish poop". So that's why I believe its still necessary to vacuum.

I think a demonstration movie on gravel vacuuming would be a good idea.

Sylvie

 

[cutecotton]

syphoning is very much necessary, you will not believe all the crud you have under the gravel that you dont' see and the filter doens't pick up.

have you ever seen snail crap? i'd rather have the algae then it! it's a big clump, and then spereates into a million smaller pieces which gets stuck in your gravel.

Also, cory cats and things wil lneed thier own food sooner or later becuase they dont' live off leftovers for their lives. Don't rely on bottom feeders to clean your tank

 

[Zorba]

Ah good. the gf mentioned something about using a syphon so that must be what it is all about. once again, good fast replies. thanks guys

 

[Maddo]

Syphoning (i believe) also helps aerate the gravel, which is necessary if you are attempting to grow plants in the tank. Plus, as others have said, it sucks up all the other crap (not the gravel) if it is done properly.

 

[Speck the Fish]

A siphon vacuum is the easiest way I find. I picked one up for around 10 dollars Canadian (so practically nothing everywhere else ) Personally I would say that if it is a larger tank to clean the gravel in stages. I usually do about half the tank every month or so.

Also watch out for the plants until they are really established. I've lots many plants when my 'help' tries to be helpful But live and learn