eliminating gravel siphoning

[DeLgAdO]

Wouldn't nitrates/nitrites (not for sure which) build up in the gravel? Wouldn't that kill the fish?

noooooo

detritus would build up in the gravel and cause nitrate levels to rise


but what will kill the fish if the gravel was deep enough is that the grave lbed will become anaerobic and hydrogen sulfide (i think thats the gas) gas will build up in the gravel and that is what will kill the fish

 

[DeLgAdO]

Isn't that where all the s#@t settles??? I vacuum that out with every weekly H2O change.
Am I wrong? Or should I leave that stuff for a once a month vacuuming?

the more frequent you do it the better

 

[DeLgAdO]

I havent vacuumed the gravel in my tank for about 6 months because I cant hook up my python no spill clean and fill to my basement sink anymore so I dont get enough suction to siphon the gravel. I do water changes about once a month though, and my fish seem to be doing fine!

for now.......

 

[skinless]

i'll vacuum 50-75% of the gravel weekly during wc. with plenty of biofilter, its definitely doable. getting rid of the gravel altogether is another option. bb tanks are much easier to keep clean.

 

[Euge]

i'll vacuum 50-75% of the gravel weekly during wc. with plenty of biofilter, its definitely doable. getting rid of the gravel altogether is another option. bb tanks are much easier to keep clean.

AGREED! To eliminate gravel vac, dont have gravel. I have a barebottom tank for my red snakehead and hardly have to siphon the poop away. I have the filters and a power head setup that blows all the sh*t to one corner which is where the intake for the canister filter is

 

[yourmylunch]

here is my maintenace routine

50% water change every 2 weeks
vacuum gravel once a month
rinse filter cartriges and replace only every 4 months

use a reverse flow ugf and then a power filter to suck up all the crap
or cut dorn the gravel to just 1" to save time

 

[fishieperson321]

So can I vacuum my gravel monthly and do weekly water changes?

I feel soooooo bad!!! A week ago I borrowed money from my dad to buy a versa top for my 20 gallon tank!!! Well, I spent $30 at the petstore for a versatop. Well, I was removing 25% of my water today and I turned around with my buckt not looking where I step, and I put one foot down and "CRUNCH"!!! I thought OMG!!! So now I owe my mom $32 for a full hood from Wal Mart. I got glass in my foot and my hands. I wasn't worried about my foot, I was worried about my fish jumping out!!!

 

[mat_per]

If you go bare bottom you wont have to do gravel backs.

 

[Jason]

The problem i've had with UG filters is the build up under the plate and the general trapping of TOO much stuff in the gravel. Its a ticking time bomb and i've watched some tanks (mine, friends and LFS's) and noticed the fish do seem to get weaker and show less color and activity as the duration between good cleanings gets longer and longer.

I have bare bottom on my holding/growout tanks with HOB filters to remove the waste. I have canisters on my sand bottom tanks, and the gravel i do use is barely enough to cover the glass and in a pinch i'll hook up a canister filter and stir the piss out of the gravel and let the filter gather it up. For the low to the floor tanks i use aquaclear 500 (or what ever the hell they are calling them now). Simple sponge to clean and move it to the next tank.

Jason

PS anyone ever use the gravel cleaning setups for magnum canister filters?

 

[LittleBigAl3]

UGF still need cleaning, but extend the time between cleanings and help with water conditions. UGJ can't do a complete job either w/o it looking like a fluidized filter .
Aquariums are work and Education is expensive, you can't get away from those facts, it all depends on what your priorities are.
I personally don't mind vacuuming the gravel since i hooked up a power head to the hose (it's almost fun/satisfying now). Thats not too wierd is it ?

Can you give a place or online store where you can get one? cus my bichir's **** is hardly getting sucked up by my gravel vaccum.