Gravel vac question

by **Natural_mama4** » Fri May 06, 2011 1:18 pm

I've been trying to research more on keeping fish and I came across something about gravel vacuuming. The directions on my package said to stick it down in the gravel to get up everything, I've also read online to do this. I've also read that sticking it in the gravel disrupts the bacteria balance and will lead to nitrite (I believe) spikes, so you should just run it along the bottom or gently rake the gravel with the vac. What is the correct or best way to use a gravel vac?

by **natalie265** » Fri May 06, 2011 4:56 pm

Stick it down in the gravel. Any negative impact it might have on your bacteria is going to be far outweighed by the amount of toxic stuff that will build up if you aren't thoroughly cleaning the gravel. That's my opinion.

by **neontank** » Fri May 06, 2011 8:40 pm

yes i agree with natalie ive been using my gravel vac like that for ages and have never had any negative affects

by **yasherkoach** » Sun May 08, 2011 8:46 am

I never vacuum...but that's just me

as for your question, only go down about an inch into the gravel as not to disturb the good bacteria

by **Alasse** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:48 am

I'm a bit like yasher, only 1 tank i do heavy gravel cleans on (the oscars, cause they are massive filthy eaters), all the rest are left alone, or top gravel cleans only. Food should not be getting right down into the bottom layer of the gravel anyway.

by **natalie265** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:05 pm

Well, i don't gravel vac most of my tanks either, lol, but do as i say, not as i do. Planted tanks are a different story. You wouldn't want to vacuum a planted tank for obvious reasons. But i still recommend that a beginner vacuum their gravel unless their tank is heavily planted.

by **Alasse** » Tue May 10, 2011 5:22 am

What i actually stated was there is no need to go full depth gravel clean, unless you have fish that are EXCEPTIONALLY dirty. I have Oscars, they are notoriously filthy eaters. Goldies would be another fish i would do full depth cleans.

As you say heavily planted tanks dont need gravel cleaning ever in most cases

Lightly planted, non planted need something, hence my comment (light gravel cleans)

by **Natural_mama4** » Thu May 12, 2011 12:22 am

Thanks everyone. I'll go with the light gravel cleaning, not going all the way to the bottom.

by **yasherkoach** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:18 am

very good mama4

Gravel vac question

9 posts