Keeping the gravel clean

[pmoyniha]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had some advice on how to keep my gravel more clean. I have a 20 gal aquarium with 6 head and tail light tetras 2 clown loaches and two hillside loaches and a lot of plants. The plants make it difficult to try and vacuum the gravel, and I realized that I had over fed my fish a bit (two ppl feeding the fish without telling each other) over the last few weeks and need to clean it up. Other than stirring it up before i do my water changes Im kinda stuck for a way to clean it up, and its pretty dirty.

Thanks
Pat

 

[smb]

I would just try to clean as close to the roots and down as deep as you can. I'm not sure of anything more you can do w/o moving the plants.

 

[Moe]

I have a heavily planted tank and I use the python cleaning system. It hooks to any faucet. It is the best fish accessory I've ever had. You just hook it to your sink it vacuums the gravel while taking out the water. Then you just turn this knob thing and the water flows back into your tank. There is no mess, no buckets or anything and it does a great job cleaning the gravel. Check out this link.

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...3133&in_merch=1

 

[akhtar]

but then how do u stop chlorine getting into the tank and killing the needed bacteria?

 

[Mamaschild]

That was my first question about Pythons.

I have learned to dissolve the needed chemicals into a small bowl (or the like) and slowly pour it in the water stream as I refilll the tank. I really still don't like this, I would rather have it all mixed prior to putting it in, but I have not had any problems, and the Python is a godsend when you've got 6 running tanks

 

[pmoyniha]

Thanks for the tips. I can't quite afford to buy a new gravel vac right now, but when i get the money together I will. I guess for now I will try and stir the water up a little bit to get more of the crap to go into the filter (Aquaclear 300). Thanks for the tips.