Gravel Vac Flourite?

[blackers92]

Hi Guys

I recently changed all of my generic grit to Seachem Flourite which looks amazing, soon I will install my T5HO ballast soon and get some plants flourishing

My question is, how do you vacuum flourite? I can see my fishes poo which is like a kind of orange colour (orange granules) which obviously doesn't contrast very well with the black flourite. Previously I would just put the nozzle over the dirty area and the generic grit would go about a quarter of the way up the tube extracting all the mulm poo etc, but the flourite doesnt budge, a very thin layer of what looks like very fine sand (like really fine) sucks up, im worried that it may be sucking up all the beneficial nutrients that I forked out over $150 for

Another question (thought it would be better than starting a new thread)

For my 14 months of fishkeeping I have done weekly 25% water changes with the exception of a few weeks when I was away (2 week build up) I would gravel vacc 20 Litres and then just change 20 litres of water. When I re-fill the tank I would add the dosage of stress coat + and then use a combination of hot/cold water to get it luke warm. I have never had any problems with this, no outbreaks of white spot or anything im just wondering if it is bad, Im starting to wonder if 25% is to much and would change the temp when I refill. Should I purchase like a digital thermometer and make sure that the water I put in the tank is exactly 26 Degrees? I dont have any finicky fish like discus

anyway I just want some thoughts/ opinions

 

[Katty]

Try the sand vacuuming method with the fluorite. I have a similar product to fluorite (ecocomplete) and the same thing will happen if you just jam the hose into the substrate. You have to hover an inch or two over the poops or swirl the water around with the hose to kinda make a little vortex that pulls the poo up off the substrate so it starts floating around, and hopefully into the siphon. Unless you're already doing that and I just read your post wrong.

The temperature thing sounds too easy... Just check the tank thermometer before and after you do a water change. If it drops drastically afterwards, change less water or use warm water next time. Or do half warm and half cold. Water can hold it's temperature pretty well though so I'd imagine 25% would be OK unless you are getting water from the fridge.