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Proper Filtration
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No matter what type of aquarium you are working with, it is essential to have proper filtration in place. A healthy and well-balanced aquarium will have all three types of filtration--biological, chemical and mechanical. Biological filtration uses the microbes that are already present in the water to break down and dissolve aquarium waste like uneaten food and dissolved particles. Chemical filtration uses chemical processes to remove this waste from the water. Chemical filtration can be accomplished by adding activated charcoal to an existing filter or purchasing a filter cartridge that contains charcoal. Mechanical filtration refers to the process of physically removing that waste from the aquarium. A power filter, for instance, continually pulls water out of the aquarium and runs it through a filter, where fine particles of dirt and debris are trapped. Making sure that all three filtration processes are in place is more important than cleaning your tank's gravel with a vacuum.
The Purpose of Gravel Cleaning
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Even though proper filtration is paramount, a time will come when vacuuming the gravel to remove accumulated dirt and debris is a good idea. For instance, if your fish tank uses an undergravel filter, it is important to periodically vacuum the substrate to maintain proper airflow. Without this periodic cleaning, the beneficial microorganisms that provide the biological filtration can die, and that can leave the tank system dangerously out of balance. Stirring up the gravel from time to time and looking at the amount of dirt that is released is a good way to tell when a thorough vacuuming is required. If the water becomes instantly cloudy when you stir the gravel, be sure to use a quality gravel vacuum to remove any accumulated dirt and debris.
Treating the Tank
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One downside of vacuuming the aquarium bed is that it is likely to stir up a lot of dirt and make the aquarium cloudy and unattractive. Using a powerful vacuum and getting that vacuum head as deep into the gravel as possible will reduce this problem, but chances are some clouding will still occur. Using a commercial water-clearing product will cause this dirt to clump up so that it can be removed by your tank's mechanical filtration system. These products are sold at most pet stores and aquarium centers--just be sure to use the proper amount for your size tank.
It is also important to check the ammonia levels in the tank in the days following the vacuuming. In some cases the biological filtration in the tank could be interrupted, and if ammonia levels spike this could cause illness and even death in your fish. Ammonia test kits are widely available at pet stores. A number of products exist that can be used to address the issue, if an ammonia problem is detected.
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Should I Vacuum My Aquarium Bed?
Setting up a fish tank in your home or office is the perfect way to bring the beauty of nature indoors. Yet, without the right care and maintenance, that aquarium will not retain its good looks for very long. Proper tank maintenance is essential for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, and it is important for new hobbyists to learn all they can about caring for their new pets. If you plan to make vacuuming the gravel part of your maintenance routine, a number of issues must be considered.