Vaccuming gravel?

[Caper]

Darn, did something wrong and didn't post...here goes again!

:oops: :oops: OK...I know I should know this by now...but have been doing some reading and well, kinda confused :oops: :oops:

When I first started this wonderful hobby, once a month I would give my tank a really thorough vacuuming. Remove everything too!

Now, I usually just vacuum the "top" layer so to speak, except on the edges if its really dirty looking.

So, question is: should tanks get a thorough vacuuming once in awhile?

If yes, time frame for major vacuuming? If not, why not?

Geesh, hope you know what I'm asking...brain not functioning :-? :-? :-?

[Ira]

Best is to vacuum as much of the gravel as you can every time you do a water change, so every week or so. You do not need to worry about upseting the bacteria, they're stuck to the gravel more than well enough to handle a little bit of current. The only reason you wouldn't want to vac every inch of gravel is it will disturb the roots of any plants, but even then you should vacuum the top layer as often as you can.

[Wok]

I vac the gravel everytime I do a water change. only vac the top layer around the plants...do water changes at least twice a week... guppies leave a lot of poo about.

[DiverJohn]

Just to go against teh flow....

I vac maybe once a month, and evn then i dont think i do a particulary through job of it. But I have quite a few plants so Ira's comments about roots applies to me.

[Caryl]

Well if you really want to know - my tank would be lucky if it was vacuumed and had a water change once every 3 months or so. :roll:

It is large, not heavily stocked, heavily planted, well filtered and well and truly matured. Can't remember the last time I had a fish die (except for the one danio I euthanased as it had dropsy).

[madcookie]

Hi Caper, not sure if we have all understood your question as it was intended??

Are you asking about how deep you should vacuum?

Depends on how deep your gravel is, if you have a UGF, and how thck/dense the gravel is.

One other thing to consider is anaerobic waste. Fish poo that has rotted and deposited itself in the bottom layers of gravel may not have contact with water (oxygenated water), and gets highly poisonous. In fact, it can be toxic to humans. Hydrogen Sulphide (h2s) is produced by decaying organic matter, and if you disturb this (deep under the gravel) you are likely to kill your fish, and create a bad 'egg smell' in your room, and possibly even endanger your own health.

Hey...Thats pretty scary stuff aint it. Luckily I've never heard of anyone getting h2s poisoning like this - but it *is* a possibility.

[Caper]

Are you asking about how deep you should vacuum?

Maybe that's a better way of putting it...when I said thorough I did mean right down to the bottom...going through completely with vacuum.

I find the front of both tanks collects quite a bit of "dirt" specially the goldfish one so I do have to "disturb" those areas.

But, when I was doing a thorough...I meant top to bottom over and across