Congrats on the water change, colinsk!! Being a fellow newbie, check on this with the experts here, but I have always read in forums and in articles to not vacuum the gravel during cycling as you don't want to mess with the bacteria growing on the gravel. Once your tank is established, lot of people online say to clean no more than 1/3 of your gravel and ornaments during each cleaning so the bacteria on the rest of the gravel and ornaments will be ok and can spread to the cleaned part fast.
My First Water Change!
- Thread starter colinsk
- Start date
I wonder about that too. I have also heard that the bacteria is firmly stuck to the gravel and is not dislodged by the vacuum. Which is correct?
I think vacuuming it messes it up as I just have read too many forum people (here and other places) who say not to mess with the gravel at all during cycling, as you can mess your bacteria up. I'm doing daily 50% water changes, not messing with the ornaments or gravel at all. You can rinse out your filter in aquarium water to get gunk off it.
They'll get used to it. Just keep it up and make it as much of a part of their routine as it is a part of yours. If nothing else, even if they don't appreciate the bucket and the splashing, they'll love the new fresh clean water.
It took a few to get my harleys used to the water changes. They love it now.
You could also maybe use a strainer or something to diffuse the water pouring into the tank if you want to make it a little less dramatic. I know for me though I have a hard enough time getting the water into the tank without though. Ha.
It took a few to get my harleys used to the water changes. They love it now.
You could also maybe use a strainer or something to diffuse the water pouring into the tank if you want to make it a little less dramatic. I know for me though I have a hard enough time getting the water into the tank without though. Ha.
If you have a lot of fish waste in the gravel, it needs to be cleaned. The fish waste will generate a lot of ammonia by decaying and not getting rid of it will not help one bit. The little bacteria that will be removed with a light gravel vac should not be a problem by comparison.
I have a fake tree stump that I pour the water in on top of, and that works, but you can also lay a saucer on the bottom and pour on top of that, so that the gravel is not disturbed. Pour slowly, and the fish just move into the corners.
I still consider myself a newbie, but I've read repeatedly on this forum that you need to vacuum the gravel to remove decaying food and poo and debris. The bacteria in the gravel is not sucked out when you vacuum, it is clinging to the gravel and in the biofilter the bacteria is growing.
There are people on this forum that have incredible tanks and years and years of experience, and this is the consensus of the most experienced fishkeepers here on the AC.
I know from experience that the gunk in the gravel has got to be vacuumed. If you don't you will be fighting ammonia spikes, and nitrite spikes like crazy.
Vacuuming the gravel will not interfere with the cycling of your tank.
Welcome to AC, and keep up the great job you're doing!!
I still consider myself a newbie, but I've read repeatedly on this forum that you need to vacuum the gravel to remove decaying food and poo and debris. The bacteria in the gravel is not sucked out when you vacuum, it is clinging to the gravel and in the biofilter the bacteria is growing.
There are people on this forum that have incredible tanks and years and years of experience, and this is the consensus of the most experienced fishkeepers here on the AC.
I know from experience that the gunk in the gravel has got to be vacuumed. If you don't you will be fighting ammonia spikes, and nitrite spikes like crazy.
Vacuuming the gravel will not interfere with the cycling of your tank.
Welcome to AC, and keep up the great job you're doing!!
:iagree: Melody is correct about vacuuming. I vacuum the entire bottom and not just a portion. Once a month I move decor and do under it as well. During a cycling setup you don't want to vacuum as you need the assistance of the decaying food and waste however, you made need to to keep the numbers within reason. Once the tank is established you will need to do weekly water changes and vacuuming to keep your parameters ideal. You will need to chart your water parameters so you will know what is enough and what is too little. Eventually you won't need a chart to assist you will know from experience with your setup. Keep in mind that each setup may vary from the next one even if all using the same water source.
I recently just did my first water change too!
My fish were scared too, but they were back to their usual selfs in a matter of minutes.
Congrats and good luck with the fish!
My fish were scared too, but they were back to their usual selfs in a matter of minutes.
Congrats and good luck with the fish!
