Fx5 and sump on 180 "help"

[fishtician]

I have a FX5 AND 30 GAL. ACRYLIC SUMP ON MY 180, which has 6 RBP, and 3, 12-14 inch plecos. The plecos are pretty messy, but I thought or think my tank should still keep a little cleaner than it does. Alot of particles get kicked up when the fish move around, but the water remains crystal clear. Any suggestions?? How often does everyone take there cannisters apart for cleaning? ( I do at least a 30-40 gal water change weekly-10 days.)

 

[atmetoyer]

Do you every vacuum your gravel?
When I had my Oscar I vacuumed my gravel about twice a week and that would cut down on the poop getting pushed around when ever he moved the gravel.

 

[fishtician]

Do you every vacuum your gravel?
When I had my Oscar I vacuumed my gravel about twice a week and that would cut down on the poop getting pushed around when ever he moved the gravel.

Yes, every water change. I was thinking maybe I wasn't getting the full use out of pumps.

 

[iloveoscars702]

Get a power head facing down to keep poop from settling and so it gets kicked up into the filter

 

[foldem]

I also run an fx5 with sump on my 180 since i've chucked in the royal pleco it gets pretty messy.
The FX5 is purely used for mech filtration and i clean it out every month, it gets very dirty.
I have a wave maker at the bottom of the tank to move all the crap to the FX5 intake to pick up particles at the bottom.