vacuum gravel?

[ldytmropr]

I was told not to vacuum my gravel because that's where some of the bacteria grows. Now, I know that there's fish poop down there that needs to be cleaned up. I had difficulty cycling my tank because I was "too clean". It's cycled now though!! I have a gravel vac that works very good getting the "crud" out, but what's the proper way to do this so I don't kill the beneficial bacteria. Another question, what about rinsing filter's once a week. one LFS said to rinse the filter once a week and the other told me not to touch it until I do my water change. Please help!

 

[cujo]

The best way I believe to clean your gravel is to clean sections. Clean half one week then clean the other half the next week. This should not upset the bacteria growth to much.

 

[mrswoman2000]

I rinse the filter media in the tank water that has been removed(during water change) every 2-3 weeks depending on how much poo the fishes are passing
I only clean part of the gravel each time.
Hope this helps

Lynn

 

[_]im]

What about a carbon filter? How often, say if you had a 10 gallon, how often would you want to change that with a full capacity of fish in your tank?

Also just a tip, a vacuum session can count as a water change, if you have a vaccum as I do you have to empty the water out into a pail. Use that water as the water to take out of your tank for your water change as oppossed to throwing it back into the tank. I did both a water change and vacuum today, haha realized I could kill two birds with one stone.

 

[FishDan]

You can vacuum all of your tank at one time if you are so inclined. This will not disturb your bacteria. Any bacteria that may be removed will not do anything to ruin your cycle or endanger your fish. The bacteria live on all surfaces under the water in your tank (glass, plants, rocks, gravel/sand, filter intake tube, everywhere).

You should change water every week or two, depending on the siaze of your tank. Smaller tanks should be done weekly while larger tanks can go longer between changes. This is when you should rinse your filter media in tank water (not your tank).

\Dan

 

[Final Dynazty]

Make sure you clean ur tank filters with the tank water, or you will kill the bacteria. I Clean my gravel a little each week and everything is ok.