Cleaning Substrate 101 Help Needed

[Krill]

As a complete novice (and new to this site) I have been having a great time surfing the forum and finding out all the things I didn't even know I needed to know

I have a 30 litre tank with a Beta and Neon Tetras. It has small white stones in the base (forming a layer of about 1 inch thick). When I clean the tank I scoup out some of the gravel (usually about 1/2) and give it a good wash, in clean tap water, as it looks dirty.

I have a small siphon that sucks water from the tank into the bucket, but it does not seem to clean the gravel effectively. Is this what people mean by vacuuming the tank? Also is it safe to bleach the gravel to bring them back to white?

I am also thinking of replacing the gravel (as it doesn't look the best) and not sure what I should get - gravel or sand? Especially as I would like to get some sort of suckerfish, like a Borneo (when I get a lot more fish savy).

Thanks for your help

 

[KittyKat]

If you don't have any plants in the substrate, you can reduce it to maybe 1cm at the front, or even less, which will help with the cleaning. What size are the stones? Most siphons will easily work on 2-5mm gravel.

It is possible to bleach the gravel, but I advise strongly against it. If you really are determined to do it, use a very mild solution of pure bleach and water, then after you have washed the gravel off, you should dechlorinate the gravel in as little water as will cover it. Yes, you will have to overdose on the dechlorinator for this bit. I would advise you to use a dechlorinator such as Tetra's AquaSafe, which should be a blue colour once added to the gravel and well stirred (from what I understand if it becomes purple, there is still chlorine present). But, none of this will work if the gravel is porous and absorbs the bleach because it would be almost impossible to get rid of it all, in that case.

You shouldn't get any more fish for your tank, consider shrimp instead. Hillstream loached are coolwater fish, for the most part, so won't do well in a tropical tank, should have a much bigger tank than what you have and require fast flowing waters as opposed to Bettas (who require a very gentle flow).

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah agree with above,

tbh I wouldn't go to the effort of bleaching the gravel, if you don't like it change it.

sand is ok and will not need to be vaccumed the same way, just lightly to get the stuff laying on the top...

Shrimp may be ok but no more fish, get bigger sized shrimp or they may be dinner lol

 

[OldMan47]

Howdy Krill. In your situation, I would go ahead with water changes as if there was nothing wrong with my tank. Although there is nothing apparently wrong with your tank, the population and history of your tank screams huge water change at me. To me that means that any reduction of fish tenants in your tank would be a good thing.

.

 

[Krill]

I have remeasured my tank to look at the stocking, it is a 36l tank (love the calc on this site) and is 48l x 28w x 27h (in cm). This gives a surface area of 1344. In the tank I have two live plants (on wood). I have an external filter that came with the tank - an Aqua One. I have 7 small Neon Tetra (ranging from 1 - 3cm) and 1 beta - about 5 cm with tail. The fish are all active and are eating well - a mix of micro pellets and tropical flakes (the Betta seems to love playing with the tropical flakes in a game that looks like peak-a-boo). I have had no deaths/disease for over 5 month.

I went to the LFS and had my water checked. Ammonia =0, Nitrite =0, Nitrate - a bit to high (one of the -ve about testing at LFS is getting the exact numbers), PH okay. So I am guessing I need more frequent water changes.

I have ended up buying some black gravel and will replace the white (thanks on the advice about not using bleach) and will also get a better siphon.

Thanks for all your advice

 

[KittyKat]

Would be nice to see some photos, it sounds like you're set for long term success now.. definitely no more fish for now, though The neons can live up to 10 or so years (some of mine lived to about 12-13 years old) and Bettas usually live 5 years or so (which is normally 1-3 from the time they are bought in a shop).

 

[Krill]

Thanks Kitty Kat, Wow - I didn't realise Neons lived can live over 10 years. You advice was appreciated! It is really nice to finally have the tank up and running smoothly and it seems to be getting easier and easier to keep it in balance.

I will take some pictures in the next few days and post - now how to get the fish to pose

 

[Baccus]

The same as Jasper LOL

No seriously put the camera up against the glass (that way you don't get blinded by the reflective flash) or if you can turn the flash off, all depends on how dark the tank and surrounds are while you try to take the photo. I find take lots of quick photos and then cull the blurred ones or ones that somehow completely missed any of the fish. Just imagine your somebody we both know who has the quickets photo trigger finger around

. Just experiment with your cameras different settings, just make sure you check all the photos on your computer first because so many times the pic looks good on the little review screen on the camera but look horrid when blown up to full size. Have fun just don't blind your poor fish

I can see them now swimming around with little white spots in front of their eyes

bumping into stuff and bubble cursing you

.

 

[Krill]

Great idea, I wonder if the fish also like beef bones.

 

[Baccus]

Some more carniverous Pleco's probably would like a rawhide chew. Put I wouldn't suggest it seriously