Cleaning Gravel

[dkmuller]

OK what is the secret to a total good job vaccum the gravel. I try a first getting it to start the drain process seems to not happen. I have both types the one you squeeze to get going and the one you move up and down to start . But I get them going I only have a 5.5 gal. tank. The other issue is do I take the betta out and snail to get it cleaned good. I have one planted plant. But this might put trauma on the snail and might not come out of his shell for awhile. I do it with them in but I don't think it is very thorough . What do others do with their tanks?

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[treemanone2003]

I've always used the python (hooks into faucet) so it's a bit more suction. No need to remove the fish or snail IMO.

 

[Fresh2o]

For that size tank(5.5g) I would use the squeeze type bulb to get it primed and flowing. A smaller sized gravel vac should be used; the flow will be lower than a larger one and will allow you time to clean a section of the gravel without draining too much from the tank. Also, I'd only clean a section with each weekly water change and rotate the sections to be vacuumed. IMO no need to vacuum all of the gravel in one sitting.

 

[dkmuller]

Thanks this is helpful information.

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[anteatergoanna]

I just give the hose that goes into the bucket a quick suck to get it started...easy. I have the one you are meant to jiggle up and down, scares the crap out of my fish trying to get it started that way.

 

[DeirdreHoyle]

I have a 5.5 betta tank and I vacuum a small section of the gravel once a week. With only one fish (and a snail in your case) you don't build up a lot of fish waste so just doing small sections will be fine as long as you keep up with it. Also I leave the betta in while I vacuum.

 

[anteatergoanna]

Snails are pretty poopy!

 

[DeirdreHoyle]

Snails are pretty poopy!

Really? Well I definitely wouldn't expect that! But I still think OP will be fine with doing small sections once a week

 

[Fresh2o]

I would estimate 90% of the waste comes from the snails (MTS) and 10% from the fish. I have a low fish population and a lot of snails in my tank.
I did go through a phase where I did not clean the gravel for over a year and a half! The tank was planted pretty heavily and there was less than 10% of the gravel that was not covered with plants. I did a recent massive re-do and gave it a good cleaning. I now have some real estate open at the front of the tank available for vacuuming.

 

[Mattyfelts]

yeah just suck it and limit the flow with ur finger over the end, then suck away!