Gravel Vacuum

[ladyoutlaw50]

I am wondering how often I should do a gravel vacuum -- I do a water change every week -- approximately 30% -- -- I have been vacuuming the gravel the first of each month -- is that enough or not enough. My water quality has been great and I want to keep it that way if at all possible. I have heard several different things and trust what is said here!!

[Incredulous_Ed]

I am wondering how often I should do a gravel vacuum -- I do a water change every week -- approximately 30% -- -- I have been vacuuming the gravel the first of each month -- is that enough or not enough. My water quality has been great and I want to keep it that way if at all possible. I have heard several different things and trust what is said here!!
I would probably vaccum the gravel at every water change.

[ladyoutlaw50]

oh ok -- thanks --

[gm72]

I would actually say if your water parameters are okay you are probably vacuuming enough. Really depends on whether this is a planted tank and what the bioload is like.

I do agree in general though with the at least every other week idea. I vacuum mine (in the non-planted tanks) every week with the water change.

[ladyoutlaw50]

non planted tank with african cichlids!!! tank is clear ph and everything is in the good range --

[gm72]

Not sure I'd mess around with changing your maintenance schedule if everything is working well for you. Tough call though. How dirty is it when you do vacuum on a monthly basis.

[Lakea]

Yeah I would say if your parems are good than you are alright. It does depend on what you got in there, how much you feed, etc.

I vaccum every week, but with my 70g I have to do it more often because my tank is overloaded with guppies, my guys poop A LOT and it really gets down into the gravel. Also I tend to over feed so the corys get food so I have to keep on top of things.

[ladyoutlaw50]

Not sure I'd mess around with changing your maintenance schedule if everything is working well for you. Tough call though. How dirty is it when you do vacuum on a monthly basis.

some months dirtier then others -- maybe I will leave as is and see how much I am pulling out of the gravel --I am doing it this weekend -- if it looks like alot, then maybe I will switch to every other week.

thanks

[gm72]

Sounds like a great plan!

[ladyoutlaw50]

thanks -- always feel better after sending my thoughts out to all of you guys!! Thanks again everyone!!!

[smoochxoxo]

my tank with sand I have to suck up the poo every time cuz well if I didn't they would poo castles but in my 5 gallon and 4 white clouds it is every other time I change water I do a vac. Not a whole lot comes up even then.
If it aint broke I wouldn't mess with it.
GL

[Commodore 64]

I do a 20% water change weekly, and suck the gravel in half the tank every other week. I've got a lot big rocks though, and I only move them around once a month or so.