Sand substrate to vacuum or not to vacuum

[Andres391]

Do you really need to vacuum a sand substrate if you have Amanos, nitrites and trumpet snails?

Since I have been vacuuming my gravel for the past two months it seems to build a bacteria bloom every time I do a vac.

I also heard that by not vacuuming the sand it will allow the substrate to mature after time to colonize a bio filter that will actually clean the water. If that's the case I shouldn't add liquid fertilizer for the organic waste from plants fish and food will be the food source for plants and for the bb clean up crew.

 

[BigManAquatics]

I just skim the surface of the sand with a vac. Just close enough to pick up the poop.

 

[ProudPapa]

You can, but it's not necessary.