how do you vacuum gravel mos effective

defool89 · Post by **defool89** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 12:52 pm

I normally stick the syphon into the geavel and vacuum from deep. Should i just skim the top instead?

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:14 pm

Either thoroughly stir by hand, letting the debris fall to the surface of the substrate & skim with a siphon or use a Python to vacuum the entire substrate, down to the glass.

defool89 · Post by **defool89** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:33 pm

Thank you

JRC3 · Post by **JRC3** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:02 pm

There are some good vids on Youtube.

Post by **bertie 83** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:04 pm

JRC3. Your signature line is wicked!

JRC3 · Post by **JRC3** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:42 pm

bertie 83 wrote:JRC3. Your signature line is wicked!

That was from my little rant on another forum. LOL

Post by **RTR** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:39 am

+1 to PP's comments.

Heavily planted tanks are handled differently however. They are vacuumed only when plants need dividing and replanting. That varies with particular plants involved, from 6+ months to a couple of years.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:46 am

I still vacuum between the plants, where I can.

Post by **RTR** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:54 am

LOL! In a heavily planted tank. there is no "in between plants" which the vacuum tube will fit into...

defool89 · Post by **defool89** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 1:10 pm

I used to call my tank heavily planted but my fahaka is full of hate. .lol thanks for the tips

Fahaka Fakka · Post by **Fahaka Fakka** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:26 pm

With a Fahaka I think the method depends on the frequency and type of feeding.

My preference is to go brutal by removing all the decor and plants except for the cave. Make sure to siphon aquarium water into a couple of buckets for bacteria and decor storage Then you realize how much hidden uneaten food there is in between the plants etc. which is easily removed with the net..and then stir the bottom heavily and vaccuum all the way tthe glass.
This routine goes faster even though it sounds crazy to do every week. My Fahaka is used to seeing his tank turn into a tornad and copes with it by chilling unde the cave where I herd him. If he didn't turn to normal activity shortly after this method I would not pursue the method of stripping the tank for thorough vacuuming.

Post by **sgtmyers88** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:45 pm

I know Undergravel Filters are somewhat antiquated, but if one still happens to be using one, you can remove the uplift tubes and shove the vaccum hose down the tube port to suck out the gunk built up beneath the plates. At least thats my personal experience with cleaning them without breaking down the aquarium completely.

Again I know my advice is obsolete for most nowadays but I just thought I would drop in my 2 cents, since all the other points of advice have been covered already.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:33 pm

FF, You're nuts for doling that. Get a Python hose & get into the modern world of WC!

Fahaka Fakka · Post by **Fahaka Fakka** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:02 am

I am not sure if you are referring to me pufferpunk? Of course I use a water change system connected directly to my water tap. If I didn't take out some of the decor such as stones, plants etc. in addition, I would have left my tank almost entirely stripped to avoid nitrate development from food remains hidden all over. It's just a matter of habit and personal preference. And I prefer a heavily decorated tank combined with this method.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:48 am

It's the buckets I was referring to.

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how do you vacuum gravel mos effective

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