to vacuum or not?

[moogie21]

i'm in process of doing fish-in cycling with 4 small baby goldfish with 40 gallon tank.

current reading:

0.75ppm ammonia
0.25ppm nitrite
7.8 ph
77F temp
2 HOB filters
a fair amount of rock/stones/decor

i've been using api quick start to add the good bacteria to jumpstart the cycling the past 4 water changes (alternate vacuumming substrate every 2 days).

since i do have 4 'poop machines', my challenge right now is, during my next WC to remove ammonia/nitrite, should i continue with vacuum and risk of disturbing the good bacteria colonies or without vacuum? as you can imagine, tank accumulates alot of waste in 48hrs. alternatively, if i don't vacuum, waste will turn into ammonia and become toxic. so essentially there's a balance if growing BB vs. removing waste (ammonia buildup).

thanks for any suggestions.

 

[nik_n]

I usually vacuum once a week. I don't keep goldfish but I would do the same if I did. I suggest you vacuum once a week and keep an eye on the water perimeters. If you notice ammonia increasing then do a water change and vacuum more often.

 

[Sgooosh]

i htink you could add bacteria. please be careful with fish in cycling its very dangerous lol

 

[seangee]

since i do have 4 'poop machines', my challenge right now is, during my next WC to remove ammonia/nitrite, should i continue with vacuum and risk of disturbing the good bacteria colonies or without vacuum? as you can imagine, tank accumulates alot of waste in 48hrs. alternatively, if i don't vacuum, waste will turn into ammonia and become toxic. so essentially there's a balance if growing BB vs. removing waste

Vacuuming is fine.The impact on bacteria will be negligible.