Is it necessary to do gravel vacuuming in a planted tank

[Heuer]

Hi folks,

Any advice on the above mention?

Cheers!!

[budak]

No.

[bttay]

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On 9/20/2003 8:15:15 PM

No.
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Really? That is good news for me as I am tired of vacuuming the gravel and my gravel cleaner just broke down.

But isn't the debris encourage algae growth? Eventhough I have yamato shrimp to do the cleaning job but there are still dirt on top.

[budak]

if one means vacumming the actual gravel (thereby disturbing it), then no. The mulm lying on the gravel can of course be vacuumed..... however, i don't think it's really a cause of algae. Some plants like crypts actually like to have this layer of organic matter, which is more akin to what occurs in natural waters.

[sherchoo]

For me I would like to vacumm away the mulm as it tends to be unsightly. But your question is whether it is necessary... I would say..... no.

[Heuer]

When to a LFS today and was told my the owner to vacuum the gravel as i told him 2 of my oto died out of no reason (the rest are doing ok). He said they would be killed by their own poo poo while munching along the gravel.

Any of you have such an encounter before. Sad to know my fish die but don't not the reason why.

[PeterGwee]

Its other issues that cause fish deaths...namely diseases, CO2 overdose, low O2, high NO2 or high NH3/NH4. The LFS clearly lacks knowledge...mulm in a planted tank is plant fertilizer. Folks even have to get some into a new tank to help in maturing the tank faster while you are trying to get rid of it? I'll leave it for the plants..its clearly other issues with otos.

[checkerboard]

IMO the shop owner probably does not quite know his stuff. If the otos died because of that, mine woul probably be gone a long time ago. otos are pretty sensitive fishes, but once they settle in, they are quite hardy.

back to the question, no it is not necessary unless you consider it unsightly or it is inhibiting the growth of the foreground plants (which is unlikely unless you really have a very thick layer) In fact, like budak said, the organic matter is actually quite good for some plants.

[Heuer]

Agreed with all of you. Must go and check the other perimeters and find out what is happening. can't let the otos died without a good cause.

Cheers!!

[bttay]

Thank you guys. Looks like I don't have to buy a new gravel vacuum and save some $$. []

[sherchoo]

bttay,
If you still want to vacumm your gravel, do it during water change. Syphon the dirt along with your water. Works very well for me.