Big structures Big problems

[Tanyoberu]

Well, spring time is among us and this is the time of year where I'll do my annual MAJOR tank cleaning project. It is the only time when I actually move my fish out of the tanks to do a complete clean job of all of the structures and all of the CRAP that build up in impossible to reach places.

As the topic states, Big Structures... I'm forced to do major cleanings because I keep rock structures and large pieces of drift wood that I cannot clean around throughout the year. So what happens is that I get a build-up of all the waste in what I call dead spots.

What are some of the solutions you people have to cleaning around these unmovable structures?

 

[Loubard]

Get a powerhead to blow water true the structure and blow the dirt out.

Cheers

 

[illustrae]

I had a similar problem with large hardscape structures, and I started to have dying fish (bottom dwellers, mostly) due to the anerobic pockets at the base of these pieces of wood. Loubard is right: adding awter movement around those areas will cut down on anaerobic pockets. What I did was when I added water back to my tank, I'd try to stick the hose right in those places to blow some of the detrius out, and at the very least allow oxygenated water to get into those areas to promote good bacteria to break those pockets of waste down.
Unfortunately, either of these options will probably still require you to do the annual major cleaning, but it might make it less of a chore, and will make your water quality better in the meantime.

 

[Miles]

If I have an Aquascape like that, I do the same thing you do.. About every 6 months I put the fish in a holding tank, and rip apart the tank.. Make a priority to save as much Beneficial Bacteria as I can in my filters.. Then I take a wooden spoon and stir the crap out of the gravel and do a couple 90% water changes.

Other than that.. Barebottom or lots of nice flow will help alleviate the problem, but if you can't get your siphon into some places, you're kinda screwed

 

[Oddball]

I'll trade you. I'll clean all of your tanks and you can clean all of my tanks. Deal?

 

[Daniel Machado]

Maybe the called "under gravel jets" work for you... Here's the link to the basics:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php

Best regards.

Daniel.

 

[Miles]

ooo.. Reverse Flow undergravel filters, with some nice pre-filters so nothing gets under there.. That's an idea! More bacteria to break down more waste.

 

[Daniel Machado]

This can work even better than UGJ's... And is a lot easier to set up.

 

[crazy_davis1988]

the filters under the gravel can work quite nmicely. it works for me

 

[Tanyoberu]

hehe, Oddball, I only listed one of my tanks and have oh, a few more. How many tanks do you have? Or rather how many total gallons do you have?

I have recently seen the article on the reverse undergravel system. In one tank I do keep two powerheads with prefilters, but they are moreso for the biological filtration the sponges create and for water movement. I will consider the reverse system though.

I'm not really complaining about the annual change, I think even if I didn't have to do this major cleaning, I'd probably still go in there yearly and change things around a bit. I have a guilt conscience because I can't provide my fish with the MEGA tank they deserve just yet and so I redecorate and do what I can to keep them "happy".

This brings me to another question... read the post on "making rocks" I'm about to write hehe.