gravel cleaning or changing

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

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

Hi

thanks for that, maybe its because i hold the syphon right at the
bottom, i will try it mid tank.and i shouldnt be afraid to do changes
more often then? i am just concerned that my tap water is very high in
nitrate . i do add the chemicals to bring it down but they dont seem to
be too effective.

t
f


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

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?

If you don't have plants to absorb excess nitrates and your tap water is
high in nitrates, then an accumulating mass of dead organic matter
within your gravel can only contribute to an even higher nitrate level.
If your gravel is composed of large grains, then that can trap and
accumulate dirt. A gravel cleaner cleans gravel by having the end pushed
into the substrate by a certain amount to force a flow of water deep
into the gravel, literally washing it and siphoning the dirt away.
Usually, gravel is too heavy to be sucked up at the same time, unless
you've got sand. Even then, with fine control of the flow, just the dirt
can be excised leaving the sand behind. Seven to 14 days sounds fine to
me. Personally, I don't gravel clean. My plants take care of the excess
nitrates. And all my aquariums use sand substrate which isn't prone to
trap dirt as easily as gravel. Instead, the dirt accumulates in the filter.

Nikki

"froggo" wrote in news:1160557487.630974.307870
@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

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


How's your hand at feeding? Light or heavy? Does any food reach the
substrate?

What is your tank size and fish load? Are you overstocked, and making more
waste than your tank can allow?

Gravel vac is a fine means of exporting nutrients, and keeping nitrates
low. Regular vacuuming can help keep old tank syndrome away. Many people
with a light feeding hand, or a planted tank have no need to vacuum gravel
thoroughly, though. Every tank is different (as is every aquarist).

DaveZ
Atom Weaver

atomweaver wrote:
"froggo" wrote in news:1160557487.630974.307870
@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

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


Hey froggo, Also what you could be seeing as "dirt" could be a natural
occuring algael growth. Brown diatom algae happens to most tanks in
that general time frame. There are some fish that just love the stuff.
You'll also notice that it will slowly fade away, probably getting
replaced by another type of algae.

steve

On 11 Oct 2006 06:05:49 -0700, "froggo"
wrote:

Hi

thanks for that, maybe its because i hold the syphon right at the
bottom, i will try it mid tank.and i shouldnt be afraid to do changes
more often then? i am just concerned that my tap water is very high in
nitrate . i do add the chemicals to bring it down but they dont seem to
be too effective.

t
f


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

I add no chemicals. My local water pH is high, 7.8, but has not been
a problem.

Measure the nitrates of your tap water if you have doubts. Make all of
the tests on the tap water.

I am not reliable with chemicals and killed a number of fish while
lowering the pH, the tank went acid. It was terrible. That decided
me to try not adjusting. It has worked well for me.

I would not worry about where the syphon is located. A good argument
can be made for keeping the syphon low as denser water loaded with
"solids" will sink. I find it hard to get near the gravel due to
plants in the way.

dick

Hi, I have never thought to test the tap water, just the aquarium
water. what a good idea!
thanks


Dick wrote:
On 11 Oct 2006 06:05:49 -0700, "froggo"
wrote:

Hi

thanks for that, maybe its because i hold the syphon right at the
bottom, i will try it mid tank.and i shouldnt be afraid to do changes
more often then? i am just concerned that my tap water is very high in
nitrate . i do add the chemicals to bring it down but they dont seem to
be too effective.

t
f


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

I add no chemicals. My local water pH is high, 7.8, but has not been
a problem.

Measure the nitrates of your tap water if you have doubts. Make all of
the tests on the tap water.

I am not reliable with chemicals and killed a number of fish while
lowering the pH, the tank went acid. It was terrible. That decided
me to try not adjusting. It has worked well for me.

I would not worry about where the syphon is located. A good argument
can be made for keeping the syphon low as denser water loaded with
"solids" will sink. I find it hard to get near the gravel due to
plants in the way.

dick

H,

I dont think i have enough plants., i only have one - its only a 50
litre tank but still, perhaps i could do with some more and it could
help.

i might well consider sand in the future.
thanks for yr help.
f


Nikki Casali wrote:
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?

If you don't have plants to absorb excess nitrates and your tap water is
high in nitrates, then an accumulating mass of dead organic matter
within your gravel can only contribute to an even higher nitrate level.
If your gravel is composed of large grains, then that can trap and
accumulate dirt. A gravel cleaner cleans gravel by having the end pushed
into the substrate by a certain amount to force a flow of water deep
into the gravel, literally washing it and siphoning the dirt away.
Usually, gravel is too heavy to be sucked up at the same time, unless
you've got sand. Even then, with fine control of the flow, just the dirt
can be excised leaving the sand behind. Seven to 14 days sounds fine to
me. Personally, I don't gravel clean. My plants take care of the excess
nitrates. And all my aquariums use sand substrate which isn't prone to
trap dirt as easily as gravel. Instead, the dirt accumulates in the filter.

Nikki

Hi, I suspect i am probably too heavy handed - they go mad when the
feed comes in (once a day - a small pinch), but i only have 4 pencil
fish, 4 guppies, 2 harlequin tetras and 1 neon, so perhaps not
overstocked for a 50litre tank?

thanks

How's your hand at feeding? Light or heavy? Does any food reach the
substrate?

What is your tank size and fish load? Are you overstocked, and making more
waste than your tank can allow?