Gravel Cleaning

I have a 5 gallon aquarium with about 1 inch of gravel and 6 tropical fishes
(1Guppy, 1platy and 4 small neon), and only have plastic plants. I have a
filter that hangs ou side the aquarium, with carbon and sponge in it. I do
weekly 20% water change. I want to know is it absolutely necessary to clean
the gravel in this aquarium? And if so how often it should be done?

"D P" wrote in message ...
I have a 5 gallon aquarium with about 1 inch of gravel and 6 tropical
fishes (1Guppy, 1platy and 4 small neon), and only have plastic plants. I
have a filter that hangs ou side the aquarium, with carbon and sponge in
it. I do weekly 20% water change. I want to know is it absolutely necessary
to clean the gravel in this aquarium? And if so how often it should be
done?
==================

Some people claim toxic gasses accumulate in the gravel, especially if no
live plant roots are running through it. I do have live plants in all my
tanks buy vacuum the gravel anyway. How often depends on how many fish I
have in the tank and if I can see mulm on the gravel or seeping down into
it.
--
KL....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

Köi-Lö wrote:


Some people claim toxic gasses accumulate in the gravel, especially if no
live plant roots are running through it. I do have live plants in all my
tanks buy vacuum the gravel anyway. How often depends on how many fish I
have in the tank and if I can see mulm on the gravel or seeping down into
it.

Koi-Lo..you are mixing things up.
The toxic gasses build up when an under gravel filter plate is used and
not properly serviced.

And yes...to the original poster....
You do need to vacuum the gravel. Once monthy if you are not over
feeding or over stocked.
That is just the norm.
Don't worry about vacuuming out the nitrifying bacteria (you may have
heard this myth), as they are sticky and adhere to all surfaces of the
tank, and gravel.
If you do not vacuum the gravel, you will start having a nitrate
problem (old tank syndrome).

"Tynk" wrote in message
ups.com...

Köi-Lö wrote:


Some people claim toxic gasses accumulate in the gravel, especially if no
live plant roots are running through it. I do have live plants in all my
tanks buy vacuum the gravel anyway. How often depends on how many fish I
have in the tank and if I can see mulm on the gravel or seeping down into
it.

Koi-Lo..you are mixing things up.
The toxic gasses build up when an under gravel filter plate is used and
not properly serviced.
=============================
Uh, no. YOU are mixing things up. Gas buildup under a layer of gravel
doesn't need a UG filter plate to accumulate. In fact it's less likely to
occur due to the water movement UNDER the filter plate.
--
KL....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

"Tynk" wrote in
ups.com:

The toxic gasses build up when an under gravel filter plate is used
and not properly serviced.

Toxic gasses, especially sulfuric ones, arise from certain types of
anaerobic bacteria. You don't need a under-gravel filter for this to
happen, just a deep or very dirty gravel bed.

Köi-Lö $##$$@$##$$.#$$ wrote in
:

Some people claim toxic gasses accumulate in the gravel, especially if
no live plant roots are running through it. I do have live plants in

The toxic gasses arise from some types of anaerobic bacteria. It is not
especially common, but it is a potential problem if you have a very dirty
or very deep gravel bed. Using gravel heating cables will generate a
natural rising water flow and prevent the development of these gasses.

"dc" wrote in message
...
Köi-Lö $##$$@$##$$.#$$ wrote in
:

Some people claim toxic gasses accumulate in the gravel, especially if
no live plant roots are running through it. I do have live plants in

The toxic gasses arise from some types of anaerobic bacteria. It is not
especially common, but it is a potential problem if you have a very dirty
or very deep gravel bed. Using gravel heating cables will generate a
natural rising water flow and prevent the development of these gasses.


To my knowledge I haven't had any of these toxic gas problems. I don't have
very deep gravel in my tanks and do vac it regularly. All the gravel in my
tanks are full of plant roots which may also be helping. I read about
heating cables but they're too darned expensive.
--
KL....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
http://www.ganesha.org/ptb/hipcrime.html
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

Köi-Lö $##$$@$##$$.#$$ wrote in
:


To my knowledge I haven't had any of these toxic gas problems. I

For the gasses to become a problem they not only need to be produced in
significant quantities, but they also need to remain trapped in the
substrate were they may dissolve into the water table were they may poison
the animals living therein.

"D P" wrote in :

I have a 5 gallon aquarium with about 1 inch of gravel and 6 tropical
fishes (1Guppy, 1platy and 4 small neon), and only have plastic
plants. I have a filter that hangs ou side the aquarium, with carbon
and sponge in it. I do weekly 20% water change. I want to know is it
absolutely necessary to clean the gravel in this aquarium? And if so
how often it should be done?


When you feed, does any food make it to the substrate, and/or go uneaten?
If you agitate the gravel, does detritus get stirred up into the water
column? You don't have any bottom feeders in there, so no cleanup crew for
your mid- and top-feeder's leftovers... I'd vacuum the gravel, covering
half of the bottom at a time, when changing the water.

DaveZ
AW

Thank you for all your replies. I guess vacuming the gravel once a month
will do it.

"atomweaver" wrote in message
...
"D P" wrote in :

I have a 5 gallon aquarium with about 1 inch of gravel and 6 tropical
fishes (1Guppy, 1platy and 4 small neon), and only have plastic
plants. I have a filter that hangs ou side the aquarium, with carbon
and sponge in it. I do weekly 20% water change. I want to know is it
absolutely necessary to clean the gravel in this aquarium? And if so
how often it should be done?


When you feed, does any food make it to the substrate, and/or go uneaten?
NO

If you agitate the gravel, does detritus get stirred up into the water
column?
YES

You don't have any bottom feeders in there, so no cleanup crew for
your mid- and top-feeder's leftovers... I'd vacuum the gravel, covering
half of the bottom at a time, when changing the water.

DaveZ
AW