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	Gravel problem
xlinkinparkx Fish Addict Posts: 521 Kudos: 353 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Apr-2005	I just got new gavel for my aquarium but the thing it its very thin, almost like sand. When i bought my gravel i didt think it woul be a problem but when i do water changes some gravel get sucked up, what can i do??? Also should i do a 50% water change evey week?? i was told 30% (10gal) Last edited by xlinkinparkx at 10-Jun-2005 06:48 10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta 1oto 2platys
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
jasonpisani Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 5553 Kudos: 7215 Votes: 1024 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	If it looks like Sand, you just have to hold the gravel vac. 2 inches from the sand & the fish "poo" will be sucked up & the sand remains in your tank. In a 10gal. i would do 30% water change weekly. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/ Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970. http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
xlinkinparkx Fish Addict Posts: 521 Kudos: 353 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Apr-2005	great! 10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta 1oto 2platys
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	It helps to swirl the vacuum a bit to lift the detritus off the surface of the gravel bed as well. Also be wary of where your filter intake is. Normally you want it as low as you can get it, but if the gravel is easily coersed off the bottom, you may think about moving the intake up so the particles don't shred your impeller and housing.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Aditionally you're going to want to be careful about the substrate compacting. I'd suggest treating it exactly as sand. After the surface of the substrate has been skimmed with the vac, run your fingers thru the sand to keep from getting pockets of anerobic bacteria. Malaysian trumpet snails will also help as they will burrow in the substrate, wont eat your plants, and help keep it turned over. ^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel. The life, the love, You die to heal. The hope that starts, The broken hearts... I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool. I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new." [link=refighting lost battles]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	*AND* you're going to have to be careful what plants you put in there, sometimes the sand can crush and starve the roots of some plants.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Also You'll have to be careful the types of bottom feeders you pick. Most corys love sand, however a few of the smaller dwarf corys actually do better in gravel as the sand can cause issues with their gills. Others such as loaches often prefer the finer substrates :%). ^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel. The life, the love, You die to heal. The hope that starts, The broken hearts... I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool. I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new." [link=refighting lost battles]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	i would get new larger gravel to put on top of that if possible. of the battery hand held ones are good.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
xlinkinparkx Fish Addict Posts: 521 Kudos: 353 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Apr-2005	its not sand its little rocks, but there very small and the plants will be fine i use the same as the my LFS and there plants are good, well will it affect my shrimp?? there cherrys well i have only one but i'm getting 2 more 10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta 1oto 2platys
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
jasonpisani Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 5553 Kudos: 7215 Votes: 1024 Registered: 24-Feb-2003	I don't see any problems with the Shrimps. http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/ Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970. http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51


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