Mean & clean

[Machine 79]

I have had tanks up for over 20 years without breaking them down.
Because I do every other day water changes, with regular cleaning of filter media, and regular vacuuming, I see no need to do a major breakdown
I will only break a tank down if it needs repair, or if a disease strikes that needs bleaching of everything to sanitize.

I think from what responses I've gotten to tonight that I'll just scoot over the rocks and gravel vac. I wasn't intending on removing my substrate. Just taking the rocks out to clean under the with the driftwood. To completely empty the tank would not be safe for the fish but would not be a good idea at all. I feed flake food and sometimes the smaller particles get trapped. I think it effects my water clarity. Particles floating and what not

 

[tlindsey]

I also never do major breakdown cleaning on any of my aquariums.

 

[esoxlucius]

The last time I can remember seeing anyone break down a tank to blitz it was my dad in the 1970's when he used to do his monthly maintainance on our goldfish tank!!

It's possibly the number one worse thing a hobbyist can do. You will simply destroy the equilibrium of everything in your tank.

You are right to be concerned about detritus building up under decor and what not because as it decays out of sight it's fouling your water.

A lot of members, myself included, use strategically placed powerheads to prevent gunk from building up. If your circulation is good in your tank all this gunk will very quickly find it's way into your filter, where it is removed during maintainance.

 

[Johnez]

Very rarely, and only if I have a vision in mind of a new 'scape or if I need to address an issue. Last time I broke down a tank to reorganize I lost 3 loaches that probably got stuck in some driftwood. This reminds me that my new tank should probably be set up with hardscape that's easy to deal with. Current tank has a giant piece of driftwood I can barely move due to the cross brace. :-/

 

[Toiletcar]

I also don’t do breakdowns. No need w/ frequent water changes. Every water change I vacuum under rocks and logs. Just move them to the side in the tank. I have sand and stir it up a bit to release the trapped waste and vacuum it up. I also clean out my filters w/ tank water to prevent nitrate build up in them. I like to keep my nitrates around 5-10. If I did breakdowns, my nitrates would probably be higher.

 

[Machine 79]

Very good advice from you guys. Thank you. I've never used a power head before. I thought they were only used on the surface. That should help greatly and I won't have to move anything really. I think I have pretty decent filtration. Fluval 407 canister, aquaclear 110, tidal 110, sponge filter. I clean out hob filters every weekend, and canister every two weeks. My wc schedule is 50 % weekly. My nitrates are hovering around 20-30.