Bacteria living in Sand

[fishygood]

Here we go...i have to ask a stupid question. I have a 180 gallon with pool filter sand as substrate. I dont know if it is a good idea to siphon the sand every time i do a water change. I have read online that the bacteria live in the sand. Since i am constantly siphoning the sand, does that mean i am removing the bacteria also????

 

[rkc772]

I do not have sand, I have gravel on my tank. I siphon it regularly. I do not think the bacteria will be gone. Usually, they produce a coat and stays on it. Although you will be removing some but it will not be significant enough for your to have a spike, in my opinion. hope this helps.

 

[rob0521]

most of your bacteria is in your filter, you should be fine

 

[toehead11183]

i agree, i siphon weekly and i never have water quality problems. its all in the filter

 

[fishygood]

Is there a reason that bacteria favors the surface area in the filter rather than the sand substrate???

 

[Raul-7]

Is there a reason that bacteria favors the surface area in the filter rather than the sand substrate???

No, they don't care - bacteria grow all over the tank as long as they have enough oxygen. But the media in your filter has more surface area than your substrate, hence it shouldn't make a big difference if they get siphoned.

 

[dragonlover]

You should stir your sand some, so pockets of anearobic bacteria don't form within your substrate. You don't have to do this all the time, every month or so would be fine. Loaches (or any burrowing fish) are a good alternative to manual work! HTH

 

[Dr Joe]

Actually yes, the high volume of water flowing thro the fliter cause more bateria to colonize in the filter material.

Everything and everybody else is right too...

So get to cleaning.

Dr Joe

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