Gravel Vacumming

[jwight]

I was wondering if there was any special method to vacumming sand? I skim over the top and it seems to just stir up the bottom and not collect all that much. And is there a maximum length of clear rope for it to be effective?

[DiscusMad]

I use a small tube to suck off the bottom and it works fine it takes a bit longer but it doese the job

I do some part vacs during the week and top up the tank with what i suck up and on the weekends i do a bigger vac. when i do my vacs i stir up the bottom so the sand remains still and the wast is moved around with the pump still on and the tank filling up as i empty so the leftover that i don't suck up traped in the filter.

I always do it bucket by bucket so I know how much is being cleaned out and put in.

This method works for me quite well and all the fish look great and have great growth.