cleaning a bottom of river stones?

[jacblades]

i just set up this tank last week and decided to use river stones, knowing fully well how hard it would be to clean
its a 10g with 4 floating frogs, 2 adfs, a betta, and a clown pleco.
there are also some java ferns and a sword being anchored by a few of the rocks.

i have a bunch of mts that i could throw in but i only want to do that if they will be any benefit...

any advice?

 

[jacblades]

heres a link to some pics http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=63403
im going to siphon with some airline tubing today since its getting a little dirty...

 

[snowyangel]

I keep river stones in all my betta bowls and a few sparingly in my bigger tanks. The only probem i find is they collect algae, so you have to scrub off each rock indiviually. Besides that, i find they dont hide too much debris . Ottos, snails or plecos will gladly clean it up for you if you want.

 

[jacblades]

I keep river stones in all my betta bowls and a few sparingly in my bigger tanks. The only probem i find is they collect algae, so you have to scrub off each rock indiviually. Besides that, i find they dont hide too much debris . Ottos, snails or plecos will gladly clean it up for you if you want.

the thing about that is with a betta bowl, the water is changed 100% once a week so stuff doesnt really accumulate for too long...

and...bump

 

[Teelie]

Just move them around with the siphon during water changes. They're even easier than gravel or sand to clean up, just make sure no fish, frogs or other living things aren't near where you're cleaning and make sure the rocks are stable and flat as they might get themselves stuck.

I lost a Opaline Gourami to some poorly stacked rocks and he trapped himself going after food.

 

[snowyangel]

the thing about that is with a betta bowl, the water is changed 100% once a week so stuff doesnt really accumulate for too long...

and...bump

I dont change 100% thats wayyyy too much, no mature water would ever be left. Food definitely does accumulate after a week ina betta bowl though.

 

[Teelie]

It certainly does, but it's not hard to clean out. I have a small siphon I use to remove stuff from the bottom when I do changes.

 

[snowyangel]

As do I.