Cleaning Gravel..

[dzsigmond217]

Hey all! I have a small 7 gallon tank (which is re-cycling now [killed bacteria by accident]) which is too short for the gravel vacuum I have. I don't plan on cleaning the gravel right now because the tank is in cycle but was curious for future reference on how would be the best way to clean the gravel. Should I remove around 75% water and then scoop out 1/2 the gravel and wash it under hot water. Then do the other half the following week? I also have an algae problem in this tank as well. The algae does not change the water color but grows all over the gravel and decorations. I have a mystical snail and 2 baby ramshorn snails in the tank but they cant keep up with the algae. Also, I can't add anymore fish or the like because I already have 4 fish in there. The tank is not in direct sunlight and the hood light is on for around 10 hours a day. Let me know!
Thanks
Dianne

 

[Colin_T]

just use a shorter smaller gravel cleaner to clean the gravel

Algae grows from excess light and nutrients and not enough plants to use these things. Increase the number of plants or decrease the lighting period.