Gravel Vac Question

Will91

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Hi everyone:

I was curious how vigorous folks are here with gravel vacuuming. I have a 26 US gallon tank with artificial plants. Every week or two, I remove all the plants and rocks and do my gravel vac. I have an older vac with a cylindrical tube that I use to scoop up the gravel at a 45 degree angle or so and then let it fall back in place. By the time I'm done, I've removed about 20-30% of the water and the gravel is pretty uneven. I do a bit of leveling again to get it all smoothed out again. The tank is also a little cloudy afterwards but the next day it is crystal clear again. You can really tell a difference after the maintenance is done.

By question is how vigorous one needs to be with the gravel vac. I've read that some folks just let the tube hover over the gravel. I really don't see a lot of debris on the surface of my gravel for that approach to be very effective so I always use my "scoop and drop method" - the only drawback is the 12-24 hr. cloudy period afterwards.

Anyways, the technique does seem to be working since the fish have been very healthy and the tank looks great.

Thanks for any input.
 
I believe most people drive the vac directly down into the gravel, like that (ignore the silly commercial style video).

Gravel Vac
 
I have always used the same method you talk about but my tank clears up within an hour, if that. What kind of filter are you using? I wonder if it's not filtering well enough?
 
Thanks

I use a tetra 30 "hang on back filter". I am very happy with it. During my weekly maintenance events, I usually rinse out the filter floss "sack" and sometimes put some new MarineLand activated carbon in it. About every month, I replace the sack and carbon with the Tetra refill products.

One thing I have noticed is that the bio sponge that is part of this filter does have some scum on the front facing side of the sponge. I have been reluctant to remove it or try and squeeze it out fearing that I might eliminate some of my beneficial bacterial colony. I really never touch the bio sponge but perhaps it could use a quick rinse in some of my siphoned fish water during my next maintenance.
 
Thanks

I use a tetra 30 "hang on back filter". I am very happy with it. During my weekly maintenance events, I usually rinse out the filter floss "sack" and sometimes put some new MarineLand activated carbon in it. About every month, I replace the sack and carbon with the Tetra refill products.

One thing I have noticed is that the bio sponge that is part of this filter does have some scum on the front facing side of the sponge. I have been reluctant to remove it or try and squeeze it out fearing that I might eliminate some of my beneficial bacterial colony. I really never touch the bio sponge but perhaps it could use a quick rinse in some of my siphoned fish water during my next maintenance.

As long as you rinse out the bio-sponge in used tank water you won't hurt the bacteria at all.
 

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