vacuuming the substrate

[pennex1]

What is the rule of thumb regards to stiring and disturbing the gravel while vacuuming the tank of waste?

Is it bad to really stir up the gravel while vacuuming? Am i killing all the needed bacteria?

Changing 15-20 gallons of water daily in my Discus tank and want to make sure i am not killing or removing what establishes the tank.

[Sloany]

You won't disturb your good bacteria's in your gravel by stirring it up. It is more important to remove all of the waste that is in the gravel. Leaving the waste will in time raise your amonia levels, which may casuse you problems down the track.

HTH

[Exotic Aquatic]

better still, with the water changes your doing (refers to other thread) go BB (bare bottom).

Check out picks here on the forum for details on bare bottom set ups....you can set up potplants, or anubias drift wood, looks great and keeps cleaner!

[lpiasente]

[quote="Exotic Aquatic"]better still, with the water changes your doing (refers to other thread) go BB (bare bottom).

Check out picks here on the forum for details on bare bottom set ups....you can set up potplants, or anubias drift wood, looks great and keeps cleaner
plus 1
or if you use sand or very fine gravel the poop sits on the top

[Exotic Aquatic]

i use white fine sand myself, but such a thin layer its pretty much BB!!!

[BigDaddyAdo]

The amount of bacteria in your substrate is insignificant. The cleaner you keep it the better.