Sorry if this seems like a dumb basic question, but it has been bothering me and I could not find any answers here. Maybe did not know where to look!

I have a 320l tank with a few plants, Anubias on logs and some vals planted in the gravel.

I have a gravel bed that is about 2.5" or 6cm deep. It was this depth orginally because beneath it I had a layer of fertiliser, as the tank was going to be heavily planted. Never really was. That was 2 years ago so fertilzer probably all gone now. Not sure how long it lasts.

My question.

When I gravel vac, I only vac the surface and 1" or 2.5 cm down. What is the best technique? To go right to the bottom, getting all the muck out, or just the surface, so as not to disturb the nasty muck below?

Also, is my gravel bed to deep and so just a breeding ground for nasties?

Rob

gravel is supposed to be approx. 2.5 cm to about 4cm deep

(mines 4cm deep)

Thanks. I thought it might be a bit deep.

Gravel vacuums are designed to separate fish mulm from the gravel. Once you have the syphon going, stick the nozzle into the gravel and swirl it around, sucking up as many ickies as you can.

Understand that. My question related to how vigorously that should be done ? Right down to the glass base? Or not, so as to not disturb the muck to much.

IMO:

Gravel can get nasty over about 1" thick. If not properly cared for, it can harbor a lot of gunk.

When you syphon, get the suction going and stick it straight down with a light twisting motion to get through the rock.....as far as it can go. .....and stay there. Slightly twisting if need be. If you swirl or stir too much, you will get too much gunk into the water and cause toxicity issues. You will see when the gravel water starts to run clear. Slowly pull it up, scoot over a little and do the same thing. This will suck a lot of water out of your tank as well so this is a good way to do a water change. It can help by starting in one corner and working your way over to the next. The next water change, start off where you left off until you have done the whole tank.

Personally, I would start taking out a couple of cups of your gravel at a time once cleaned until you have less gravel. This will also give much more usable water room for your fish.

I personally stick the vac all the way down to the glass,and just kind of wiggle it enough to see Debri/Muck coming up.When it runs clear,I then move it to another spot and do the same thing all over.You just want to make sure that you are not wiggling it so much as to all the muck starts coming out and floating around the Aquarium.I do half the tank at a water change. If you are keeping deeper amount of gravel,then it's very important to go as far dowwn as you can reach.Hope this helps. We seemed to have posted together-Great minds and all....

Thanks guys.

Needed a partial water change today and got in right down to the glass this time. Seems much more effective given the amount of muck that came out.

Yeah!!! This is so weird,but I love to see the muck coming out and the water going clear. I just recently moved,and my friends could not believe just how little yuck was in my gravel when I was emptying out the water.I have to say that even I was amazed. Makes you feel good when you know that you're doing right for your fish!