David C

Anytime I see something new, I HAVE to know how it works, otherwise I lay awake at night trying to figure it out. It could be worse, I could be ignorantly unaware

maggie

I was told that I should only do a thorough gravel vacuum once a year to ensure I did not get rid of all the good bacteria in the tank. I do quick ones every once in a while. Should I do thorough ones more often?

I mean it's been working for me just fine so far.

Butterfly

Doing weekly 25% water changes and 1/2 substrate vacuums are advised to keep Nitrates in control. Vacuuming 1/2 of the substrate weekly won't affect the beneficial bacteria population but will keep mulm(excess food, fish waste, dead plant litter etc.) to a minimum.
Carol

maggie

I know about the water changes, I've had my tank long enough to know about that
But I guess I was misinformed about the gravel vacuum. I'll go do one now while I'm at it.