Dick wrote:
On 11 Oct 2006 02:04:47 -0700, "froggo"
wrote:

hi

my tank has been set up for 5 months now and although i do a water
change every 7 to 14 days, by using a thing to suck up the dirt around
the gravel. i am beginning the think the gravel could do with better
cleaning. what is the procedure for cleaning gravel, how often should
it be done? what am i doing wrong by having such filthy gravel after 5
months - is this normal?

many thanks

f
I have 5 tanks ranging in size from 75, 29 and 10 gallons. The 75 has
been up 4 years, the others 3 to 3 1/2.

I never clean the gravel.

I do change 20% of the water twice weekly, but the syphon hangs mid
tank.

dick

Dick,
Please remember that you need to add the part of having lots of plants
in the tank.
The plants are keeping that gravel clean for you.
Without them, you would need to be doing a gravel vacuum.
Somebody new to the hobby may think by your post that you never need to
it.
Of course this depends on several factors, such as over feeding, over
crowding, no or only a few live plants, etc.