Gravel/Sand

[SherriSixxx]

How do I clean it? And how often? Or do I even need to? I saw a vacuum being sold for this reason, and it was £200...Bit much,huh

 

[rdd1952]

You do need to clean it to remove the fish waste and uneaten food. The best method is to use one of the cheap gravel vacuums/syphons that all LFS should have. They run anywhere from about $8 to $20 here in the US depending on the size you get. You simply start the water syphoning and then hold the vacuum part about 1/2" from the substrate to suck up the trash. Sand is a lot easier to clean than gravel as all the waste remains on top which the waste can get down in the crevaces bewteen the gravel and become hard to get out.

 

[xxSarahxx]

My life!!! £200 what it do? Are you sure it wasn't a complete fish robot that fed the fish, cleaned the tank thoroughly, tested the water, and noticed when any of the fish were ill and chose the correct treatment for them?!?!
I use a gravel cleaner that siphons the water as well. It cost me under £5 and I think is very good. It came in three different sizes too. I think it's wonderful.

 

[SherriSixxx]

Thanks for replies. Me thinks am gonna buy one of those tht's £5, as I doubt the £200 one has all the abilities Sarah mentioned. If it did, I sure would consider buying it,heh
Oh, how often I need to do this 'hoovering'? Are the fish very scared of it?

 

[rdd1952]

Oh, how often I need to do this 'hoovering'? Are the fish very scared of it?

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Usually once a week during your normal water change. As for the fish, so will be scared others won't. In my 29 gallon, all the fish go to the opposite end of the tank and hid while the angels in the 75 gallon try to eat the particles as they go up the tube. They peck at the tube trying to get them. So it really depends on the fish.

 

[modernhamlet]

Thanks for replies. Me thinks am gonna buy one of those tht's £5, as I doubt the £200 one has all the abilities Sarah mentioned. If it did, I sure would consider buying it,heh
Oh, how often I need to do this 'hoovering'? Are the fish very scared of it?

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Depending on stocking levels and how much waste builds up, maybe half of your tank with every waterchange.

Some fish hate them. Others love them. I had a female pearl gourami that would actually get up into the tube and swim against the current!

 

[xxSarahxx]

I've had the same experience with some fish trying to attack the hoover some running from it!
My hoover syphons the water to (and you don't have to suck it either to get the water going..... HUGE bonus as far as I'm concerned!! So I use it to do my water change. I love it! Don't know what I did without it!! The only thing I have found is sometimes it syphons the water really quickly so I only clean half of the gravel at a time otherwise I end up removing half of the water!!
EDIT: Just found the packaging it is an INTERPRET PRIME GRAVEL CLEANER!!
I got it from Pets at Home. I would never buy fish from there but their other stuff is good!!

 

[modernhamlet]

Forgot to mention. If you can afford it (£30), get a Python. Hooks up to your faucet. Easiest gravel cleaning and water changing in the world.

It is arguably the best aquarium invention since the HOB filter.

 

[rdd1952]

I have a python. They are great for water changes but I don't use it to take water out. I have city water so the whole time it is vacuuming, it is also running my meter.

xxSarahXX mentioned not having to suck on the hose. I simply start my syphon by filing the vacuum end with water and then lifting it up so the water starts to run through the hose. Once is starts going down, simply stick the vacuum end back in the water and it will flow. Never have to suck on it.