Cleaning Gravel

[puneetvijh]

Is is possible to clean the gravel without fully cleaning the aquarium or changing the water?My gravel is getting blackish & bit yellowish.I have 3 algae eater but they are not doing much .Why?Also Zebra chichlid runs after that those when they try to lcean those areas.Please help here

 

[Typoon221]

Hey,

Yes it is possible using a gravel cleaner/pump but it does change some water (unless you put it back in).

I use one called "prime gravel cleaner" it's essentialy a plastic tube with a pipe.. You cause a suction and the gravel goes Into the tube and releases all the dirt trapped in it.

The dirt that comes out of the gravel goes through the tube and into a bucket along with the water used to cause the suction ( you will need this )

It's fast and easy providing you have enough water in your tank so that you don't have to keep stopping.

If you google gravel cleaner you will see them

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

You can also use the simple method of just using a long tube/hose. Fill it with water at both ends and direct it to the dirty spots in the gravel and siphon it out manually towards a bucket at the other end.

 

[puneetvijh]

Problem is blackish/brown color of  gravel not dirt there.I have sihon tuube to remove debris.

 

[puneetvijh]

Its the dirt deposit on gravel.What to do?

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

How long has it been since your gravel was fully cleaned? If that's the case then it has absorbed a lot of waste materials

 

[puneetvijh]

How long has it been since your gravel was fully cleaned? If that's the case then it has absorbed a lot of waste materials

Its just a month

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Gravel can absorb wastes and darken in as little as 2 weeks especially if you don't have plants to utilize the wastes or bottom/algae feeders that can clean the substrate a little

 

[msebar]

I had the same problem many years ago and had to remove the gravel to clean it. The build up was something that looked like a dark film. I bought some plexiglass and divided the tank not to disturb and stress the fish. I used a net to scoop it out into a 5 gallon bucket to be cleaned. Once done I did the otherside. It's a real pain and takes some time. If your tank is not that big you may want to just replace it.

 

[puneetvijh]

Gravel can absorb wastes and darken in as little as 2 weeks especially if you don't have plants to utilize the wastes or bottom/algae feeders that can clean the substrate a little

 
Can you suggest plants?

I had the same problem many years ago and had to remove the gravel to clean it. The build up was something that looked like a dark film. I bought some plexiglass and divided the tank not to disturb and stress the fish. I used a net to scoop it out into a 5 gallon bucket to be cleaned. Once done I did the otherside. It's a real pain and takes some time. If your tank is not that big you may want to just replace it.

That can be tried but while removing the gravel watee will get dirty

 

[msebar]

But the filter will clean it up. It should only be the top layer so not much will be moved. You can always do gravel clean first

 

[Ninjouzata]

After you've fixed this issue, you should try vacuuming weekly to prevent this happening again.

 

[msebar]

I don't think it's a vacuum issue, more like a algae / bactira issue.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I don't think it's a vacuum issue, more like a algae / bactira issue.

Shows how much I know He still should be vacuuming each week though. Will all algae do this or just certain types?

 

[msebar]

I dont know about types but I had green, brown and tan/yellow over the years. More green and brown. It is very important to clean the gravel.