First time gravel cleaning

[normd]

Going to suction the gravel this weekend for the first time. How much is too much? Any other suggestions are appreciated. I have a 29 gallon.

 

[OrionGirl]

Unplanted tank? No such thing, IMO. Most of the bacteria are concentrated in your filter, and the waste that is left in the gravel will just contribute to poor water quality. I clean as much of my gravel as I can in unplanted tanks. Planted tanks just get a quick swirl through the unplanted sections.

 

[normd]

Three fake plants.

 

[OrionGirl]

Then feel free to clean as much of the gravel as you can. It's usually not necessary to move ornaments with each cleaning, but it's a good habit to get into every so often. Ornaments tends to trap wastes around the base, so cleaning along them is a good idea, and then moving them to get underneath as needed.

 

[steveeas]

i do the vac weekly, suction all the gravel i can while removing 20 percent of the water.