Gravel vacuum/cleaning?

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mygsris2slo4u

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2009
7
0
0
Erial, NJ
Hi guys/gals,

New to the site but I've been creeping for a while.

I have a question about cleaning the gravel. I have seen where others use either a python or a pump actuated cleaner, but have not heard or read of anyone using the idea that I'm thinking of. I was thinking that I could just use a standard gravel vacuum and running the hose to the drip tray of my sump. Then simply cleaning or replacing the filter pads. Does anyone use this method? I think it would allow for a thorough cleaning of the gravel without having to do a large water change.

Let me hear some opinions.
 
I think the point of doing water change is to give your fish new water as well as replace the minerals that are benificial for your fish. Cleaning gravel is just an additional step which we do since we have to take out the water anyway.

Your way of thinking is just to clean the gravel and and minize the use of new water as much as possible. I don't think that will benefit your fish at all. Water is cheap. Your fish are more precious/expensive.
 
imisim;3209986; said:
I think the point of doing water change is to give your fish new water as well as replace the minerals that are benificial for your fish. Cleaning gravel is just an additional step which we do since we have to take out the water anyway.

Your way of thinking is just to clean the gravel and and minize the use of new water as much as possible. I don't think that will benefit your fish at all. Water is cheap. Your fish are more precious/expensive.
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I think your getting me all wrong. I'm not trying to avoid changing the water. I am simply trying to clean the bottom better than I am currently doing. Currently, I do about a 50% change every week. My point is that in the time it takes to suck out that amount of water I don't have enough time to clean the gravel as well as I would like.
 
Also, the tank has a turtle in it. With the amount of lighting and the fact that there is no cover on the tank I lose about 20% of the water weekly due to evaporation. My plan was to clean the gravel as I stated and replace the evaporated water.
 
I do it when I want to get one of those super into it gravel vacs. I do it about once every 2 months where I get in to it so much it would drain my tank to do it the traditional way. I also only change 5 gallons at one time, just do it more often. My only problem is keeping the hose in my sump. I should just build a clip that holds the hose but I am kinda lazy like that.
 
The1and only;3210008; said:
I do it when I want to get one of those super into it gravel vacs. I do it about once every 2 months where I get in to it so much it would drain my tank to do it the traditional way. I also only change 5 gallons at one time, just do it more often. My only problem is keeping the hose in my sump. I should just build a clip that holds the hose but I am kinda lazy like that.
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Thats good to hear! I'm not the smartest person in the world so I figured I could not be the only person with this idea.
 
I am not trying to be a smart a** :) but what what size tank and what kind of filter you are using? If you are taking too much time just to clean the gravel, your filter might not be big enough to handle the waste. You might want to invest in a bigger/better filter so it will help make your job easier. You might also want to reposition your input and output so the filter can clean the mess more effectively.
 
imisim;3210023; said:
I am not trying to be a smart a** :) but what what size tank and what kind of filter you are using? If you are taking too much time just to clean the gravel, your filter might not be big enough to handle the waste. You might want to invest in a bigger/better filter so it will help make your job easier. You might also want to reposition your input and output so the filter can clean the mess more effectively.
Click to expand...

It's cool... I want to hear opinions on both sides. The tank in question is a 50 gallon breeder with a fluval 404 on it. I think that the turds my turtle produces (and the oscar in the other tank) are too large for the filter to suck up. They either sit on the bottom or cling to the suction strainer.
 
Just a question, while you are running all this gravel vacuum water, at full siphon into your sump.
How is your pump keeping up with this extra water volume.
 
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