Surface Or Deep?

[Francesjane]

Hi...just a quick question on cleaning gravel....some people say to only suck rubbish that lays on top of the gravel/sand, some say dig down into gravel....
I mostly do the top but know there can be rubbish just under surface too!!
If the good bacteria clings to the substrate then surely deep cleaning won't hurt?
Can anyone advise?

 

[fluttermoth]

Dig down. You wouldn't need to with sand, as the dirt does sit on top, but with gravel it sinks down through the gaps, so deep cleaning is important to stop a build up of crud.
 
Unless you're running undergravel filtration, there will be a minimal amount of bacteria in your substrate (and what is there would cling on pretty strongly to the gravel anyway).

 

[Francesjane]

Many thanks

 

[karlnina]

we keep discus and always do a deep gravel vac at least once a week along with 50% water changes and they seem healthy enough.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Definitely deep with gravel, an amazing amount of yuck gets trapped in there.  I push my vacuum right down to the glass.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

It depends. In planted tanks deep vacuuming is a sin. In tanks with a UGF filter, it is essential.

 

[Meeresstille]

In planted tanks the waste that sinks between the gravel will break down in time to become food for the plants. I imagine in an un-planted tank this broken down waste can contribute to pH crashes and old tank syndrome. 

 

[PrairieSunflower]

That's true, I don't vacuum directly around my plants, just all the open spaces.

 

[fluttermoth]

That's true, I don't vacuum directly around my plants, just all the open spaces.

Yes, me too; I should have said that as well