Circulate the substrate?

[daybreaks]

Been wanting to ask this question lately.
I am currently into shrimps and I am using GEX Soil as substrate. However,over time, waste and dirt would accumulate amongst the soil.
Is it advisable to use those vacuum suction(sand cleaners) to clean up the dirt in the soil? Or should I leave it as it is?

[VSGenesis]

Gex Shrimp and Planted I assumed? No plants? Avoid disturbing soil. Unlike gravel, soil turns muddy or disintegrate after some time. When you disturb a soil substrate, the soil will "dirty" the tank. Clouds of dust. Use your finger and push the soil lightly. You'll get what I mean. Further to that, if you do have plants, it'll all get uprooted. Well, that's my own opinion. Gravel = Can use gravel cleaners. Soil = Leave it.

[daveeng38]

Do not stir the substrate. Ammonia will increase as more bio waste will be stir up and being exposed. Unless you are very sure that your biological filter area is big enough to handle the extra bio load. Play safe than to be sorry. I was stubborn once. Don't repeat my mistake

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[felix_fx2]

If you want to stir, there will be ammonia spikes. As above unless your bio filtration and water flow is good enought to dissipate that spikes you will suffer some loss.

The more sensitive shrimp the more you fear doing this.

[daybreaks]

Thanks for the heads up guys!

Yes, I am using GEX planted soil. There are several plants here and there,mostly crypts.
Thinking of switching it to mosura soil though.

So,my question being,the detritus present on the surface of the soil wouldn't affect anything else except aesthetic wise so long my biological filter is working fine?

[civic76]

hi, i suggest not to stir the substrate. i had a few sakura casulty after doing that. i since stopped doing that and just let the filter do its job. actually a lot of good bacteria are found on the substrate, rocks, plants, etc. not only inside the filter.