How do you guys keep your tank bottoms clean?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

mikehagan

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2011
572
5
48
Pittsburgh
Im tired of cleaning the mushed pellets that don't get eaten when I feed them before I go to bed. Detritus too.

Obviously I can't direct the return flow facing the bottom of the tank because that would cause too much stress for the fish. What do you do to keep the bottom of the tanks clean?
 
I had the same problem so I just upped the filtration. I know thats probably something people would tell you not to do, but it works for me. However I don't do it every day. I usually feed tilapia the first few feedings of the week (can't recall a time there has been any leftovers of that) and feed pellets the night before I do water changes and just leave the excess overnight. I also have other fish that don't come out when lights are on so I have to leave the excess for them. For you I know it sounds bland, but monitor how much they eat and adjust how much you feed accordingly.
 
you have pellets that dont get eaten?
 
My bichirs don't eat nearly as much in the winter as they do in the summer. Im not sure if its a temperature swing problem or a seasonal instinct.

Its beginning to worry me that I even have to cleanup leftovers...
 
mikehagan said:
My bichirs don't eat nearly as much in the winter as they do in the summer. Im not sure if its a temperature swing problem or a seasonal instinct.

Its beginning to worry me that I even have to cleanup leftovers...
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i would feed less first off.

i also had to change the direction my return was directing the current. all the poop goes to the back corner behind some driftwood. its there, but you cant see it unless you are looking for it.
 
Depending on how much time you have on your hands when you feed, you could just drop in a handful (or however much) in the tank and once it's gone add some more until you notice them losing interest. I do this with my grow-outs all the time, because as they come in and then go into the big tank the amount of food the tank requires changes when each fish is moved into or out of the tank.
 
mikehagan said:
I could understand a hunger strike. But its not quite that. The entire tank just barely eats.
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does the temp in your tank actually cool down a lot in the winter? what is the temp of the water in the winter and the summer? i imagine their metabolism would slow down in a colder temp so they would eat less food.
 
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