10 points contest YOU WILL GET 10 POINTS if you have a good answer plz help!!?

Question

I have a 55 gallon tank with many plants in it. When cleaning the gravel using a gravel vacuum, am I supposed to really dig into the gravel and uproot all the plants to clean it properly (and then replant them.) ?? Also, what is better, sand or gravel!???? Thank you!!!!

Answer 1

No you do not need to up root the plants. Just clean around them.

Either is okay it really is a matter of preference. Although with sand every thing just sits on it so when you clean you just hold the vac about 2-3" above the sand, sort of skimming it.

Answer 2

Most of the stuff that sinks in a tank lays on the gravel, so your vac pump should suck it up without you moving the plants etc. With gravel you wont suck up much of it ,but sand shoots up readily .

Answer 3

its up to you

removing the plants would be easiest

gravel is safer

Answer 4

No need to uproot the plants, the action on the gravel vacumm would be enough to get the gravel clean and free of any debris.

Answer 5

you dont have to uproot the plants because this will affect the growth.. just hold the vac above the gravel, sort of skimming it. where the corner/ area that are not planted, you can dig and lightly shake into the gravel to clean it throughly..

when you have established living plants inside your tank, you dont have to worry so much about water quality because the plants help to cycle the nitrates etc.. and the dirts will supply all the nutrients that the plants require.

and you might want to pun some aquarium soil for your plant to grow well. you can start by putting the soil inside a container (eg. plastic cup, cut to few inches height), plant your plant inside the container and hide the container inside the gravel. this way if you need to reposition the plant or clean the gravel throughly, you can just move the container. this will cause less disturbance to the plant especially the roots.  

which one is better, sand or gravel, why dont you combine the 2 to make your tank looks more interesting ;)        

Answer 6

you dont have to uproot the plants because this will affect the growth.. just hold the vac above the gravel, sort of skimming it. where the corner/ area that are not planted, you can dig and lightly shake into the gravel to clean it throughly..

when you have established living plants inside your tank, you dont have to worry so much about water quality because the plants help to cycle the nitrates etc.. and the dirts will supply all the nutrients that the plants require.

and you might want to pun some aquarium soil for your plant to grow well. you can start by putting the soil inside a container (eg. plastic cup, cut to few inches height), plant your plant inside the container and hide the container inside the gravel. this way if you need to reposition the plant or clean the gravel throughly, you can just move the container. this will cause less disturbance to the plant especially the roots.

and definentily sand

Answer 7

Sand has Meany advantages over gravel, this web site will explain.

http://www.aquaworldaquarium.com/silent_...

Answer 8

the stuff at the bottom of ur tank is really up to ur fish but personally i like sand

Answer 9

Well you might put gravel its more easy to clean and wont blow away.

Answer 10

sand

Answer 11

Sand :]

Answer 12

Hi,

You don't really need to uproot the plants, what i would do if i was you is clean the gravel one time and then the next time you do it uproot the plants, then next time again leave the plants and so on. This way it saves you moving the plants.

When you clean it out then try and dig down as far as you can to clean it throughly.

In my experince gravel is better, it does get stirred up and sucked it to the filter and it easier to clean. But tanks with sand in do look better. Tanks with sand in are better for catfish, corydoras etc to stop there feelers being worn away.

Answer 13

Different plants need different substrate but I would put some stones around them so they don't get uprooted. Just vacuum around them when you clean it don't uproot them, they will stress and die.

Answer 14

I have stones at the bottom, of my Fish bowel. and they are nice:). I would choose sand If i was you though.