Water change!! Bugger!

[Donegal Paul]

Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs basically
a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.

Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(

So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be a
better way??

How do you lot do this?

I have just seen
http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
and like the look of the second one down?

What do people think???
--
Donegal Paul
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk

[Bill Stock]

"Donegal Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs
basically
> a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.
>
> Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
> up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
> nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
> definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(
>
> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be
a
> better way??
>
> How do you lot do this?
>
> I have just seen
>
http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
> and like the look of the second one down?
>
> What do people think???

You say it's the first time you've done it? How old is the tank?

If you do weekly watter changes (gravel sucking) you should have less
remaining waste each time. I must admit that your link showed a fine gadget,
but did not provide enough details. It looks like the gadget returns the
water to the tank, so the nitrates in the water won't be reduced. Secondly,
hydrogen sulphide can be released when you're cleaning gravel, which is not
a big deal if it's sucked out of the tank by the siphon.







>--
Donegal Paul
> Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
> Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
> www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
> www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
> www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk
>
>

[Ross Vandegrift]

On 2004-09-19, Donegal Paul > wrote:
> Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs basically
> Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
> up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
> nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
> definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(

Changing 35% instead of 25% won't be a big deal for the fish. You'll
just have to haul an extra 40% ::-)

Do you keep any live plants in your tank? If so, sucking up the waste
can be superflous - I try to suck some of it up, but mostly the plants
help it decompose and it helps them get nutrients.

> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be a
> better way??
>
> How do you lot do this?

My gravel vacuuming is dictated by how much water I want to change.
If I'm planning on changing 5 gallons of water, then I suck up as much
junk as I can get in five gallons worth of sucking. I make sure to get
any decomposing plants leaves or uneaten food. Then I suck off any gunk
that's accumulated on the surface of the gravel.

That stuff makes up the majority of what makes the tank looks dirty, so
I leave it at that - if more water needs to be changed, I just let the
siphon pull it off the top.


--
Ross Vandegrift


"The good Christian should beware of mathematicians, and all those who
make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians
have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine
man in the bonds of Hell."
--St. Augustine, De Genesi ad Litteram, Book II, xviii, 37

[Donegal Paul]

"Bill Stock" replied to "Donegal Paul"
>> Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs
> basically
>> a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.
>>
>> Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly
>> sucking
>> up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
>> nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
>> definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(
>>
>> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must
>> be
> a
>> better way??
>>
>> How do you lot do this?
>>
>> I have just seen
>>
> http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
>> and like the look of the second one down?
>>
>> What do people think???
>
> You say it's the first time you've done it? How old is the tank?
>
> If you do weekly watter changes (gravel sucking) you should have less
> remaining waste each time. I must admit that your link showed a fine
> gadget,
> but did not provide enough details. It looks like the gadget returns the
> water to the tank, so the nitrates in the water won't be reduced.
> Secondly,
> hydrogen sulphide can be released when you're cleaning gravel, which is
> not
> a big deal if it's sucked out of the tank by the siphon.

the tanks 2 weeks old and im cycling with fish, ie 2 apple snails and 2
leapord danio.
I never thought about there being less and less as i go on or the fact that
it wouldnt get rid of the nitrates...
--
Donegal Paul
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk

[Nikki Casali]

Donegal Paul wrote:
> Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs basically
> a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.
>
> Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
> up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
> nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
> definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(
>
> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be a
> better way??
>
> How do you lot do this?
>
> I have just seen
> http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
> and like the look of the second one down?
>
> What do people think???

You have to pinch the hose pipe at quick intervals to slow the flow and
to let the gravel fall back. It's possible to do with very little water
waste when you get the knack.

[Donegal Paul]

"Ross Vandegrift" said to Donegal Paul
>
> Do you keep any live plants in your tank? If so, sucking up the waste
> can be superflous - I try to suck some of it up, but mostly the plants
> help it decompose and it helps them get nutrients.

Yep have just the one plant as its not a huge tank really and the snails and
even the danios occasionally have a nibble.

>
>> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must
>> be a
>> better way??
>>
>> How do you lot do this?
>
> My gravel vacuuming is dictated by how much water I want to change.
> If I'm planning on changing 5 gallons of water, then I suck up as much
> junk as I can get in five gallons worth of sucking. I make sure to get
> any decomposing plants leaves or uneaten food. Then I suck off any gunk
> that's accumulated on the surface of the gravel.

Maybe i justs need to practice more then :-)
--
Donegal Paul
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly "Donegal Paul" > Spake
Unto All:

>So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be a
>better way??

You can do water changes of any size. Your fish wont care as long as
the changes are big enough to keep pollution down.
You don't have to get all the detritus out. Again, your fish wont
care. Take out as much as you can, but don't go crazy over it.

[Toni]

"Donegal Paul" > wrote in message
...
>
> the tanks 2 weeks old and im cycling with fish, ie 2 apple snails and 2
> leapord danio.
> I never thought about there being less and less as i go on or the fact
that
> it wouldnt get rid of the nitrates...



If you have that much gunk after only two weeks it might be a good idea to
review how much/often you feed.
Or did you have a large plant die off or something similar?
I know those snails are big poopers, but still- filtration should be picking
up the bulk of it.



--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/discus.htm

[Donegal Paul]

"Toni" said to Donegal Paul"

>> the tanks 2 weeks old and im cycling with fish, ie 2 apple snails and 2
>> leapord danio.
>> I never thought about there being less and less as i go on or the fact
> that
>> it wouldnt get rid of the nitrates...
>
>
>
> If you have that much gunk after only two weeks it might be a good idea to
> review how much/often you feed.
> Or did you have a large plant die off or something similar?
> I know those snails are big poopers, but still- filtration should be
> picking
> up the bulk of it.

nope to the plants dying.
Not really been feeding much, perhaps once every 2 days.

Thanks for all the replies all
--
Donegal Paul
Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk

[John Turner]

Hi,

I have a strip thermometer stuck on the front of the tank and I syphon
until the water reaches that. Tat's just 2 5 gallon buckets worth in a 40
gallon tank.

Simple but effective.

Regards,

John


"Donegal Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs
> basically a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.
>
> Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
> up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
> nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
> definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(
>
> So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be
> a better way??
>
> How do you lot do this?
>
> I have just seen
> http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
> and like the look of the second one down?
>
> What do people think???
> --
> Donegal Paul
> Lambretta Li186 - crashed and bashed
> Vespa T5 Millenium - Wifey's (technically)
> www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk
> www.a4c.co.uk - What are YOU doing?
> www.ailishandcharlie.co.uk
>

[Dick]

On Sun, 19 Sep 2004 15:23:17 +0100, "Donegal Paul"
> wrote:

>Ok, am i dong this right, i have one of those algarde gravel vacs basically
>a 5 or 6 cm wide tube with siphon tubing attached.
>
>Thing is i just did it, (first time) and although it was certainly sucking
>up some of the waste, the flow was quite quick and i think i must have
>nearly done a 35% water change as opposed to a 20-25% one, also, there is
>definitely still some waste in there im sure :-(
>
>So, i really dont need that kind of faffing about and figure there must be a
>better way??
>
>How do you lot do this?
>
>I have just seen
>http://www.animal-house.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gravel_Cleaners_56.html
>and like the look of the second one down?
>
>What do people think???

Does this device change any water? It looks like it is filtering the
water and returning it. That is fine as it is, but I do believe you
will need to change some of your water regularly in addition. I use a
"Gravel Vac" which has a long plastic hose connected to my kitchen
faucet. It has a valve that allows the flow to be changed from the
tap water flowing to the tank or away emptying into the sink.

I don't think much of cleaning the gravel. I never touch mine. I
have 5 tanks ranging in size from 10 to 75 gallons. The 75 gallon has
been up for almost 2 years. I have various scavangers in the tanks
and the tanks all have power filters. I don't use charcoal in them.

I change 20% of the water, twice weekly and believe this keeps the
tanks healthy.

dick