Gravel vaccing and kuhli loaches?

[Daniel Morrow]

Should I be extra careful or worried about my kuhli loaches in one of my
tanks when I do gravel vaccing? I realized after my latest gravel vaccing
that I might wound or accidentally cut in half (killing it/them) kuhli
loach(es) if when I gravel vac, the edge of the gravel vac's cylinder might
hurt a "burrowed - i.e. in the gravel somewhat buried) loach and that would
be terrible. Has it ever happened to anyone? Are the kuhli's skittish enough
to stay out of that danger? Thanks, and to my knowledge this has never
happed at the very least not yet. Later!

[Daniel Morrow]

Good to know - thanks elaine, will do!

[Elaine T]

Daniel Morrow wrote:
> Should I be extra careful or worried about my kuhli loaches in one of my
> tanks when I do gravel vaccing? I realized after my latest gravel vaccing
> that I might wound or accidentally cut in half (killing it/them) kuhli
> loach(es) if when I gravel vac, the edge of the gravel vac's cylinder might
> hurt a "burrowed - i.e. in the gravel somewhat buried) loach and that would
> be terrible. Has it ever happened to anyone? Are the kuhli's skittish enough
> to stay out of that danger? Thanks, and to my knowledge this has never
> happed at the very least not yet. Later!
>
>
I cleaned tanks full of kuhlis when I worked at a fish store and never
hurt one that I know of. Just push the vac into the gravel gently so
the fish have a chance to see or feel it and move out of the way.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[NetMax]

"Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
...
> Should I be extra careful or worried about my kuhli loaches in one of
> my
> tanks when I do gravel vaccing? I realized after my latest gravel
> vaccing
> that I might wound or accidentally cut in half (killing it/them) kuhli
> loach(es) if when I gravel vac, the edge of the gravel vac's cylinder
> might
> hurt a "burrowed - i.e. in the gravel somewhat buried) loach and that
> would
> be terrible. Has it ever happened to anyone? Are the kuhli's skittish
> enough
> to stay out of that danger? Thanks, and to my knowledge this has never
> happed at the very least not yet. Later!


I cut notches into the edge of my gravel vac (about 1" triangles). I
find that this makes it more effective, letting the accessory push the
pebbles aside rather than pushing them into the substrate. It also works
better to vacuum (the same reason a vacuum cleaner head has notches along
the edge which makes contact). I mention this because I think it would
be better for buried critters like Kuhliis too. They would sense the
movement of the stones and could make their exit before the entire
accessory had blocked their way.

In the trade, I've never noticed a Kuhli damaged by gravel vacuuming
either, but to be honest, I don't know how evident it would be if it
happened. You have several options, i) gravel vac gently (normally), ii)
don't gravel vac and run strong filter intakes through UGF plates with
very little gravel (no good for plants though), or iii) add a sandbox
(ceramic pot like the piece used under a pot to collect excess water,
placed in a shady area, filled with a very loose small-diameter substrate
or large-diameter sand). If the Kuhliis take to the sandbox, (which is
never deep vacuumed) it will be safer for them, and probably quite
comical to watch. I've built these for Corys, right where the excess
food falls (minimizes my gravel vacuuming and the Corys seem to enjoy
'ploughing it ;~).

Having said all that, the areas requiring the most vacuuming (the front
of the tank under strong light) are where the Kuhliis are less likely to
be, so start there and they will probably 'hear' you coming if they are
in your path, and just move at a steady moderate speed. hth ymmv
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Daniel Morrow]

I like option 1 the best but may also do option 3. Thanks Netmax! Later!

"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
> "Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Should I be extra careful or worried about my kuhli loaches in one of
> > my
> > tanks when I do gravel vaccing? I realized after my latest gravel
> > vaccing
> > that I might wound or accidentally cut in half (killing it/them) kuhli
> > loach(es) if when I gravel vac, the edge of the gravel vac's cylinder
> > might
> > hurt a "burrowed - i.e. in the gravel somewhat buried) loach and that
> > would
> > be terrible. Has it ever happened to anyone? Are the kuhli's skittish
> > enough
> > to stay out of that danger? Thanks, and to my knowledge this has never
> > happed at the very least not yet. Later!
>
>
> I cut notches into the edge of my gravel vac (about 1" triangles). I
> find that this makes it more effective, letting the accessory push the
> pebbles aside rather than pushing them into the substrate. It also works
> better to vacuum (the same reason a vacuum cleaner head has notches along
> the edge which makes contact). I mention this because I think it would
> be better for buried critters like Kuhliis too. They would sense the
> movement of the stones and could make their exit before the entire
> accessory had blocked their way.
>
> In the trade, I've never noticed a Kuhli damaged by gravel vacuuming
> either, but to be honest, I don't know how evident it would be if it
> happened. You have several options, i) gravel vac gently (normally), ii)
> don't gravel vac and run strong filter intakes through UGF plates with
> very little gravel (no good for plants though), or iii) add a sandbox
> (ceramic pot like the piece used under a pot to collect excess water,
> placed in a shady area, filled with a very loose small-diameter substrate
> or large-diameter sand). If the Kuhliis take to the sandbox, (which is
> never deep vacuumed) it will be safer for them, and probably quite
> comical to watch. I've built these for Corys, right where the excess
> food falls (minimizes my gravel vacuuming and the Corys seem to enjoy
> 'ploughing it ;~).
>
> Having said all that, the areas requiring the most vacuuming (the front
> of the tank under strong light) are where the Kuhliis are less likely to
> be, so start there and they will probably 'hear' you coming if they are
> in your path, and just move at a steady moderate speed. hth ymmv
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>

[Jim Anderson]

In article >,
says...

> Should I be extra careful or worried about my kuhli loaches in one of my
> tanks when I do gravel vaccing? I realized after my latest gravel vaccing
> that I might wound or accidentally cut in half (killing it/them) kuhli
> loach(es) if when I gravel vac, the edge of the gravel vac's cylinder might
> hurt a "burrowed - i.e. in the gravel somewhat buried) loach and that would
> be terrible. Has it ever happened to anyone? Are the kuhli's skittish enough
> to stay out of that danger? Thanks, and to my knowledge this has never
> happed at the very least not yet. Later!
>
>
>

I never "push" the vac tube in, I let it "settle" in as the gravel is
sucked up. But I power vac with a HOT Magnum I don't siphon.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[Geoff Kemp]

or iii) add a sandbox
> (ceramic pot like the piece used under a pot to collect excess water,
> placed in a shady area, filled with a very loose small-diameter substrate
> or large-diameter sand). If the Kuhliis take to the sandbox, (which is
> never deep vacuumed) it will be safer for them, and probably quite comical
> to watch. I've built these for Corys, right where the excess food falls
> (minimizes my gravel vacuuming and the Corys seem to enjoy 'ploughing it
> ;~).

Silly question, did you place it in before or after water went into to your
aquarium ??? Been pondering this since you made the post

TIA

--
Geoff
---------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.aqua-petsuk.com/ - Probably the
best aquatic site on the Net

[NetMax]

"Geoff Kemp" > wrote in message
...
> or iii) add a sandbox
>> (ceramic pot like the piece used under a pot to collect excess water,
>> placed in a shady area, filled with a very loose small-diameter
>> substrate or large-diameter sand). If the Kuhliis take to the
>> sandbox, (which is never deep vacuumed) it will be safer for them, and
>> probably quite comical to watch. I've built these for Corys, right
>> where the excess food falls (minimizes my gravel vacuuming and the
>> Corys seem to enjoy 'ploughing it ;~).
>
> Silly question, did you place it in before or after water went into to
> your aquarium ??? Been pondering this since you made the post
>
> TIA
>
> --
> Geoff


Anytime. In either case, let the 'sandbox' fill with water gently to
prevent sand from washing over the edge. I usually leave a bit of a lip
(fill to about 1/4" from edge). I also grade the substrate downwards
towards the sandbox (only because I'm lazy and this causes missed food or
detritus to roll into or around the sandbox, making it easier to deal
with).

I'm a big fan of variety ; in the types of rocks, driftwoods, substrates,
plants and everything alive, types of foods given etc etc. We are
lacking some knowledgeable in regards to fish's needs or preferences, so
by providing as much variety as possible, we have a better chance of
making them more at 'home' ;~). Then watch, and they will show their
pleasure/displeasure or indifference at your ideas.
--
www.NetMax.tk