To Vacuum Or Not To Vacuum

[MissyFishy]

After reading through multiple threads across these forums, I get the impression that there is no definitive answer to vacuum a tank, unless someone knows differently of course

Frequent water changes are obviously a must, but as an example, in a planted tank, aggressive vacuuming would surely damage the roots.

In addition, the substrate would be a consideration when deciding on the frequency of a vacuum.


So, what I would like to understand is if vacuuming is a good idea and if so, how often.

 

[Norwich keeper]

I have had my tank set up for just over 15yrs, lots of plants in it and I have never vacuumed the gravel. It looks really clean what I can see of it. I have quite a few MTS in there so they probably help keep the gravel clean!

Thats just me though so this might not work for everyone. Be interesting to see what other people say about this.

 

[Monty-2010]

I think vacuuming or a least some disturbance to the substrate is essential in order to get rid of a lot of the waste that will build up in your substrate and be harmful for your fish. there is no need to be aggressive with your vaccuming, you can do it carefully around where the plants are.

I vacuum at least once a week when i do my water changes

 

[symon_say]

If you have sand vacuuming is a most. cause waste are easily seen.

 

[minnnt]

I do it every so often if i do a big water change. The results like going from brown gravel to beige. Great results everytime.

 

[LellowFish]

I vacuum every week with my water change. Having black gravel shows up the dirt, although not as much as, say, white. I don't vacuum all of it, just the top layer while just disturbing the stuff underneath in case any waste has fallen through the gaps.

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

I give a light vacuum once a week trying not to uproot my plants

 

[Gilli]

Id say vacuuming is a must. Hygeine is important for the fish health also it will keep your nitrates from getting high. Just do a good rummage where you can and lightly around plants. Even light vacuuming up debris from the surface of the substrate will help keep things in order.

 

[Lolly123]

My mother decided not to gravel vac her tank whilst I was away in Sweden for some months. When I came back, I woke up in the morning shortly after I'd arrived home to find all the fish on their sides and the nitrite had rocketed. It was lucky that I was there because she would have panicked and in no doubt lost fish.

After looking at the gravel I could clearly see there was a lot of waste that had sunk down and was just rotting. I had to syphon out all the gravel from the 4ft tank, the smell was horrible and clearly the cause of the problem. She is not that clued up on tanks and obviously someone more experienced probably wouldn't let that happen.

I know thats an extreme case, but it can happen. So I vacuum every 3rd day, over cautious yes, but my tank is clean

 

[karin]

If you ever change substrate and remove your old gravel, you will become faithful at vacuuming especially gravel. That being said, there are aquascapers (the plant folks) who do not do lots of vacuming and rely on plants to uptake the nitrates. These folks know their stuff though and don't turn their backs on their tanks. They watch everything carefully.