Washing gravel

[GrubbyGirl]

One of my tanks has had its gravel for about 4 years and it's really mucky. This weekend I intend to get it out, rescape and give the gravel a good wash through. Now I wont have enough tank water to wash it with and leave enough in the tank for the fish. Can anyone see any problem with washing it with treated water.

I really don't want to replace it as it would cost a fortune and I would lose all the good bacteria.

 

[scatz]

i would only wash half of it, there is an aweful lot of good bacteria held in the gravel.
its non porous so wont matter if you use tap water to wash it

 

[GrubbyGirl]

Yeah I thought I would just do half then the other half in a couple of weeks. I need to rescape because some of my plants have sent out runners so I now have tall plants at the front!!!

 

[macvsog23]

using a sive and a bucket of old tank water
I clean the gravel abd keep that bacteria.
Once the water gets dirty just use some more tank water
You can then use the gravel straight away after washing

 

[GrubbyGirl]

Actually I suppose I could use the tank water from my other tanks too if it gets too mucky - I know it's goiubg to be filthy!!

 

[macvsog23]

Actually I suppose I could use the tank water from my other tanks too if it gets too mucky - I know it's goiubg to be filthy!!

As long as the water prameters are not so far apart it would cause a crash ie water from a Marine tank ect

 

[graham26]

Why would you go to the trouble of removing all the gravel to clean it when you can just give it a good going over with a gravel cleaner during water changes just remove all the decor & plants then start again, I have never taken gravel from a tank to clean unless changing substrate & never had any problems

 

[GrubbyGirl]

Well I did it this afternoon and I'm glad I did. Yes I do syphon the gravel every week but but after several years there is a lot of muck

 

[graham26]

Glad to hear you are happy & your hard work has been well rewarded