How ofte to Vacuum??

Just wondering how often, or at all, you "Vacuum" the gravel in your tanks? Is it necessary or beneficial? What is the best cleaning routine, aside from 20% water changes every week. Thanks in advance!

Cathy

what change can keep the nitrate level low,vaccum the gravel keeps the tank clean,that menas the waste of the fishes and even the extra food that fishes cann't take that goes down at bottom,u can use a sifon and vaccum it.yes it is necessary.

When you do the weekly, partial water changes, you should clean about half of the gravel. This prevents syphoning out all the good bacteria. If you have a syphon hose with a large diameter pickup end, the syphon will remove the gunk but not the gravel. When you really get into the hobby, a Python or similar system will greatly simplify the partial water changes.

I did buy a vacuum over the weekend, and boy I was very surprised at how MUCH gunk there was! It took a few times over the past few days to do the entire 10 gallon tank, and I see how it will make water changes easier. I feel like I am killing two birds with one stone here!

yes now u fell the difference here..

When I put my tank back up after a 20 year's I could not keep the ammonia levals down. I knew it had cycled.
I was vacuuming the complete tank with my weekly water change.(30 gallon)
I quit vac'ing the gravel for two weeks and them went to how John suggest's and do only one side at each water change. And I still don't completely vac it all out, and my water parameters have been perfect for going on 5-6 weeks!!
I was vac'ing out all the good cooties with each change!!
Chuck

good that's it..if u do the complete water change in every week then ur fish may not adopt with the high varience of water cond and may die.now u do the right thing...

All those aquarium bottom water cooties are good for lawns and gardens. Well, maybe not vegetable gardens, but trees and flowers. In Phoenix, we don't like to waste water.