gravel vacuuming and bio filter
- Thread starter Holly9937
- Start date
Most of your bio filter (or bacteria) are contained withing your filter so there is the answer.
I think what you are refering to is why don't we vac away the bacteria in the gravel? Well the bacteria don't free float, they enter any pours and also sit on the surface of any object. Think about this why don't we mess it up by rinsing sponges etc with tank water? Answer you aren't rinsing the bacteria away just the crud.............
I think what you are refering to is why don't we vac away the bacteria in the gravel? Well the bacteria don't free float, they enter any pours and also sit on the surface of any object. Think about this why don't we mess it up by rinsing sponges etc with tank water? Answer you aren't rinsing the bacteria away just the crud.............
Nitrifying bacteria adhere to objects. They can be removed, but it takes a bit more than some sloshing and suction from a gravel vac. Similar for rinsing bacteria, but if you rinse it in chlorinated tapwater, the chlorine can kill the bacteria, so should be done with caution, or in cases where the sponge being rinsed is not the primary biological filtration.
Its pointless. Why not do it all at the same time? The bacteria will stick to the gravel and the movement from a gravel vac cant take it off.
If bacteria could be rinsed away easily, fluidized bed filters would not work, would they? In FBF, the media is rinsed and tumbled 24/7/365. So is it in canisters and HOBs, just without the tumbling.
If a larger water change isn't better for your fish, you're not doing them right. Ideally, fish live in environments that have nearly 100% turnover several times a day...50% once a week is a poor substitute for natural conditions, viewed this way.