questions about cleaning aquarium

ohiomary · 02-14-2008, 05:36 PM

I had some water problems over the last week and it seems to have recovered...I'm still watching it though.
It got me thinking that maybe I am OVER cleaning the gravel. I mean I really clean it. I have artificial plants in there and I usually pull them all out and clean thru as much of the gravel as I can before I get enough water out.....would it be better if I just sort of raked over the top level of the gravel, getting out the bigger stuff, and let whatever might be buried stay put? I've got about 1.5 inches of gravel in there. I'm concerned that I'm sucking out all the good bacteria along with the gunk.
Any ideas?

emc7 · 02-14-2008, 06:14 PM

If your only filter is an UG (or you have no filter), you might have a valid concern and would be better doing only half at a time. However, if you also have a HOB, then its fine to do a big cleaning.

Chrispy · 02-14-2008, 07:40 PM

the big cleaning wont hurt the bacteria. they are attached to the gravel and every other surface in your tank. the dirt and poo that comes out is nothign benificial. as long as you dont take it all out and clean it with hot water your fine.

ohiomary · 02-14-2008, 10:13 PM

What is a UG or HOB filter??
Mine hangs on the back of the tank. I don't ever take the gravel out and clean it, just clean it inside the tank. So it sounds like the bacteria will stay put no matter how much vaccuuming I do?

Thanks so much.

Tim97 · 02-14-2008, 10:56 PM

well, obviously mixing up and washing the gravel will get rid of some of the bacteria. they are not super glued to surfaces. however the bacteria in the gravel wouldn't matter *as much* if you have a filter like you have. (of course, as long as its big enough for your tank!).

ive got a tank which really has one supply of bacteria, and thats the filter. i have no gravel and the plants are kept inside small pots (the plastic ones younger or smaller plants are usualy sold in).

Buggy · 02-15-2008, 08:07 AM

If you are concerned about over vaccing then do a heavy vac one week (or when ever you do your w/c) and do a light vac the next time. Or as emc7 said, only vac half of the tank at a time. If you are getting a lot of gunk everytime you clean then the heavier cleaning won't hurt and will probably do good to keep the nitrates down but if you are only seeing a little gunk each time then you can cut back on the vacs.

lochness · 02-15-2008, 09:22 AM

I agree with buggy and emc7.

02-14-2008, 05:36 PM	#1
ohiomary Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7 User Feedback: (0)	questions about cleaning aquarium I had some water problems over the last week and it seems to have recovered...I'm still watching it though. It got me thinking that maybe I am OVER cleaning the gravel. I mean I really clean it. I have artificial plants in there and I usually pull them all out and clean thru as much of the gravel as I can before I get enough water out.....would it be better if I just sort of raked over the top level of the gravel, getting out the bigger stuff, and let whatever might be buried stay put? I've got about 1.5 inches of gravel in there. I'm concerned that I'm sucking out all the good bacteria along with the gunk. Any ideas?

02-14-2008, 07:40 PM	#3
Chrispy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 20 Posts: 112 User Feedback: (0)	the big cleaning wont hurt the bacteria. they are attached to the gravel and every other surface in your tank. the dirt and poo that comes out is nothign benificial. as long as you dont take it all out and clean it with hot water your fine. __________________ 10 Gallon 3 Fire Belly Newts 1 female Betta 4 male Endlers 1 premature female Endler 1 Baby Placo some Ghost Shrimp 5.5 Gallon 1 Male Tequila Sunrise Guppy 1 Female Tequila Sunrise Guppy 4 Ghost Shrimp 2 African Dwarf Frogs

02-14-2008, 10:13 PM	#4
ohiomary Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7 User Feedback: (0)	filter type What is a UG or HOB filter?? Mine hangs on the back of the tank. I don't ever take the gravel out and clean it, just clean it inside the tank. So it sounds like the bacteria will stay put no matter how much vaccuuming I do? Thanks so much.

02-14-2008, 10:56 PM	#5
Tim97 Fishy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19 User Feedback: (0)	well, obviously mixing up and washing the gravel will get rid of some of the bacteria. they are not super glued to surfaces. however the bacteria in the gravel wouldn't matter as much if you have a filter like you have. (of course, as long as its big enough for your tank!). ive got a tank which really has one supply of bacteria, and thats the filter. i have no gravel and the plants are kept inside small pots (the plastic ones younger or smaller plants are usualy sold in). __________________ Give us a visit

02-15-2008, 08:07 AM	#6
Buggy Room Mother Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oklahoma Age: 42 Posts: 639 User Feedback: (0)	If you are concerned about over vaccing then do a heavy vac one week (or when ever you do your w/c) and do a light vac the next time. Or as emc7 said, only vac half of the tank at a time. If you are getting a lot of gunk everytime you clean then the heavier cleaning won't hurt and will probably do good to keep the nitrates down but if you are only seeing a little gunk each time then you can cut back on the vacs. __________________ Fish are people too! My animal family Dixie - Boxer/Lab Peanut -Chihuahua Cali - American Short-hair Cat B.B. - Parakeet Flower - Western Ornate Box Turtle Aquariums 55 gal tropical Fresh Water -23 various fish 29 gal tropical Fresh Water -12 various fish 10 gal tropical Fresh Water - 4 barbs, 3 black neon tetras 10 gal tropical Fresh Water - krib fry grow out tank

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02-14-2008, 06:14 PM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 2,552 User Feedback: (0)	If your only filter is an UG (or you have no filter), you might have a valid concern and would be better doing only half at a time. However, if you also have a HOB, then its fine to do a big cleaning.

02-15-2008, 09:22 AM	#7
lochness Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Age: 39 Posts: 374 User Feedback: (0)	I agree with buggy and emc7. __________________ 90g Reg - click to view pics on photobucket

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