The Puffer Forum

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

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.

Thank you

There are some good vids on Youtube.

JRC3. Your signature line is wicked!

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

That was from my little rant on another forum. LOL

+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.

I still vacuum between the plants, where I can.

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

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

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.

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Again I know my advice is obsolete for most nowadays but I just thought I would drop in my 2 cents, since all the other points of advice have been covered already.

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

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.

It's the buckets I was referring to.