Do I Need To Clean The Gravel?

[mykidsmom]

We are changing the water in my sons Betta's tank every other day. We stired up the gravel the 1st time and it seemed to make the tank cloudy for a few days until we changed the water again and didn't touch the gravel. Suggestions?

 

[crazie.eddie]

Yes, you need to clean the gravel. You should use a syphon to suck up the waste in the gravel. I you don't clean the gravel, the waste and uneaten food buildup, which increases ammonia, nitrites, nitrates. Do not remove the gravel and rinse under the sink, becuase this will kill the benificial bacteria colonizing the gravel.

 

[xoedusk]

I highly suggest purchasing a "gravel vac." Your local pet store will stock these. Be sure to really jam the vac into the gravel.