Water Changes

[GP]

When changing the water 20-25% weekly, do I just remove the water and replace it, or do I vacuum each time? I'm asking this because I don't want to remove the beneifital bacteria.

 

[cutechic]

It's always good to vacuum the gravel. Most of the bacteria will be in the filter, so vacuuming the gravel will not cause a problem if you do it once a week.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi GodricPuffer

Most fish need lots of fresh clean water and waste free bottoms to thrive. Do no hesitate to vacuum your gravel weekly, or more often, to keep it clean.

The beneficial bacteria clings to all the surfaces of the tank, especially the gravel and filter media, but also the glass, plants and all the decorations. It's very difficult to remove too much by siphoning. What the siphon takes out is the loose dirt that breeds bad bacteria.

When you clean your filter, just rinse the media out in use tank water that you siphoned out. This will insure that most of the bacteria still remains intact. Never rinse it out in tap water. And, don't replace it any more often than is absolutely necessary.

 

[GP]

Sorry, I'm noob. The media is that blue sheet with pebbles inside my filter?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi GodricPuffer

There are numerous kinds of filters and filter media. What brand of filter do you have?

 

[luxum]

If your tank is fairly new you may want to only vacuum half of it one week, and do the other half the next. As the tank becomes more established (after a couple months) you can do it all once with no worries.