Anyone vaccum the sand in your F/O?

[hammerhed7]

Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on vaccuming your substrate. Do you do it? and if so how often, or if not why not.
I will start, I have a 220 aggressive tank, I usually vaccum the once a month, but only 1/2 of the tank at a time, and I don't dig deep into it, just hit the top inch or so. Substrate is aragonite reef grade sand. I have not had any nitrate issues using this method.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Hammerhed7
Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on vaccuming your substrate. Do you do it? and if so how often, or if not why not.
I will start, I have a 220 aggressive tank, I usually vaccum the once a month, but only 1/2 of the tank at a time, and I don't dig deep into it, just hit the top inch or so. Substrate is aragonite reef grade sand. I have not had any nitrate issues using this method.
If it ain't broke, why fix it? I also vac, never more than 1/4 of the sand at once. This isn't a one-size-fits-all Q&A and vacuuming isn't for all tanks.

 

[dinogeorge]

In my fish only tanks, I clean the heck out of my substrate. I run a hose down into my sump with a filter bag and clean my entire bed at least once every two weeks. I'm not removing water, just crap. Over the years I have found that this method keeps my water clean and nitrates down. It's just what I do...

 

[hammerhed7]

no, this isnt one answer fits all, I was just curious to see what others do. I know eeryone practices this differently, or not at all.

 

[seamantimmy]

I hadn't before, but started to recently. The reason I didn't in the past was because I had a pretty well-balanced ecosystem with an efficient clean up crew, and like someone already pointed out: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Then I went and "fixed" it good. I added a clown trigger to the tank, and the mayhem ensued. Heproceeded to decimate my hermit and snail population. Without a good clean up crew, I decided to start vacuuming. I'm experimenting with hardier snal species (thicker shells), but I've pretty much resolved myself to a vacuum at least once a month.
It's worth it having the cool aggressive setup - four serial killers in one happy home

 

[lesleybird]

Always do it.....can't stop myself. Got to remove the crap on the bottom.