gravel cleaning

[sarcare]

Though you really ought to do as many gravel cleanings as you need--certain species require more cleaning because they produce more waste, and if you overfeed you need to vaccum out the gravel even more often. Rather then just saying "vac the gravel every other week" it is better to do it as need be--whether twice a day, twice a week, or twice a month. That is the same thing with water changes.

 

[CaptnDan]

how often do you gravel clean?

I use my gravel vac to siphoin the water out of the tank for water changes. I do half of the tank each water change. So I guess the straight answer is, 1/2 per week.

 

[madroosta]

Though you really ought to do as many gravel cleanings as you need--certain species require more cleaning because they produce more waste, and if you overfeed you need to vaccum out the gravel even more often. Rather then just saying "vac the gravel every other week" it is better to do it as need be--whether twice a day, twice a week, or twice a month. That is the same thing with water changes.

ok great many thanks,
should the bottom look almost pristine most of the time? ie. if theres fish poop on the bed regularly due to a few fish in the tank?
can you do a gravel clean and then put back in the water you have just cyphoned at all once you have finished rather than replacing with new if it does not need it?

 

[CaptnDan]

can you do a gravel clean and then put back in the water you have just cyphoned at all once you have finished rather than replacing with new if it does not need it?

I wouldn't. Well, actually, I can't, because I use a Python, so it all goes right down the drain.

The water you vac out will be filthy. You can't really re-use it unless you did a lot of cleanup on it.

 

[madroosta]

I wouldn't. Well, actually, I can't, because I use a Python, so it all goes right down the drain.

The water you vac out will be filthy. You can't really re-use it unless you did a lot of cleanup on it.

sorry what i meant was if i filtered it so that the water was clean, is that better than fresh (treated of course and not just tap water)

 

[CaptnDan]

sorry what i meant was if i filtered it so that the water was clean, is that better than fresh (treated of course and not just tap water)

No. Clean water is always better.


.

 

[madroosta]

oh ok, well thats the new best info i have heard today thanks.

 

[CaptnDan]

I realized after I sent it that it was a bit vague... You said you wanted to filter it so it was clean, and I said no, that clean was better... oops.

What I meant, of course, is that fresh/new is better. It may look clean, but it won't be clean.

You could actually drip it through a paper coffee filter into a glass and it may look clean, but would you drink it? LOL!

I saw a setup on one of the forums where a guy has his tank set up to slowly do water changing 24/7. So I guess you could say that you just can't do too many water changes. (Cool setup too... wish I could remember where I saw it)

 

[madroosta]

24/7 water change??? blimey, pretty good!! I bet the parameters are a bit up n down tho if you get complacent...

 

[madroosta]

also i did a water change on friday so that was why i was asking about replacing the water with filtered water from tank as i was unsure if it was too soon to do another water change.