VACUUMING: Sand vs. Gravel (Plus 9 Bonus Tips!)

[@meanfish9698]

Why would I be concerned about stressing them, they don't seem concerned about stressing me 🤣🤣🤣

[@BenOchart]

Meanfish 9 you have a point there 😂🤣😂

[@denisepollitt1021]

I agree totally about the stress factor during maintenance. I'm lucky in that my goldfish are not bothered by my messing about and really seem to enjoy the water change. Also my guppies spend their time swimming in and out of my hands, so no problem there. However, my two male betta do not appreciate me daring to enter their tanks and show very clear signs of stress. So it's in and out as gently and as quickly as possible with those two. Great video Ben. I enjoy your calm and relaxing style.

[@BenOchart]

Very good on your part noticing that difference and acting accordingly. Reminds me of a video I released around a year ago where I said that our fish were talking to us, in their own way, if we would pay attention and listen. Very cool comment, thanks.

[@daeraeper]

thanks for the tip i have so much trouble with sand cleaning but this helped me a lot also i laughed out loud with the " however, i do have several relatives with a "gas release" issue" that one cracked me up hahaha

[@pizzamonster975]

I used a pool filter sand and small gravel mixture. Plants have always grown great. Thank you for your videos. Great content and well made.

[@BenOchart]

I've recently been seeing more and more success with plants in tanks with some or all sand. I always thought they wouldn't do well in sand, but apparently they will do just fine.

[@peggyburden9813]

I enjoyed your video , I have recently started a new fish tank 20 gallon tank and I have bought me the python and I haven’t used it yet but after watching your video I’m sure it will make my job much easier .thanks a lot for sharing you’ve done a great job!

[@thomasschupp9980]

Excellent pointers on substrate!

[@wyomingadventures]

I just did this last night. Cleaned glass with a scraper pad then cleaned my sand. Got up this morning and my tank is crystal clear. Great video thank you. I broke a plastic fork in half and used black electrical tape on the end of my siphon so the fork pieces are pass the end. Stirs up the sand but it doesn't go up the siphon was having trouble getting sand siphoned. Great tips in your video👍😊

[@BenOchart]

307 Wyoming 4F that fork is a good tip! 😀👍🏻

[@Dovietail]

It's delightful how your fish all decide they're going to be scared of you and then they all decide they're over it and they come back out.

[@BenOchart]

Dovey Dossett They acclimate quickly. Thanks for watching Dovey

[@mau5lover2000]

My guys are the same way when im in there cleaning they pretty just hide and stay out of the way and when im done they come out and I give them a little treat.

[@BenOchart]

Like puppies, LOL!

[@urbansk8r231]

They get use to the routine.

[@nateavis5686]

Another great video 👍

[@robertstarner8083]

Great video as usual Ben! I have a 55g but upgrading to a 125g very soon. I have a white sand substrate which is of medium coarseness along with a ton a Texas Holey Rock. I picked up some 3/8in soft plastic tubing at Home Depot along with a 3/8in straight rigid tube. I secured a small plastic fork on the end of the rigid piece. Luckily I have a sink close by. On a daily basis I can “rake” the sand with debris/dentritus and selectively pickup the material with a siphoning action. The procedure is great to get around the “nooks and grannies”. It doesn’t take the place of the big vacuum but on a daily basis fantastic The fork can be bent so as to agitate the sand and lift the debris...works fantastic! Have fun😀

[@BenOchart]

Great tip!

[@danielcini6826]

Hey fish friend great information, the White sponge your using is highly recommended for Glass the blue coarse is a tougher make which definitely will scratch plastics and glass, best options are the magnets so you can knock both sides out the same time i use to clean glass as a cleaner just paying it forward

[@Brantov]

Very interesting information, my friend.

[@damonghanayem9982]

Nicely done Ben thanks. I agree on the stress risk and try to slow down when I’m cleaning. It’s funny how they all seem to buddy up when I’m in there lol. Then when I’m done it’s back to the normal pecking order. Boys are looking good! gb

[@gazyg1973]

Excellent video Ben legend 🙏😎

[@BenOchart]

Andy G Thank you ... but hardly a legend 😂🤣🙏👍🏻

[@gazyg1973]

Haha your fish keeping skills are awsome and your knowledge you pass on makes ye a legend 😋😎

[@jamesadamek5814]

Next to Morgan Freeman this guy has the most relaxing voice ever, even when he's talking about fish poop 🤣

[@BenOchart]

🤣🤣🤣

[@amandaangel7219]

Great video. May I also ask where you purchased your 3d background. Looks awesome.

[@calvintran3390]

Cool! Thanks for your sharing.

[@tulioalopez]

Thank you my friend, you’ve helped me a lot.

[@BenOchart]

Tulio Lopez I’m happy to hear that! 😀👍🏻

[@raycooper2287]

Hi, when doing sand cleanups, you enter the sand on an angle and downwards and you don't suck up sand, but see all fine debris get sucked up. Hope this helps.

[@fr33dumb55]

Great tips Ben! I usually do a judo chop down into the coral and let it sit for a few seconds and watch the gunk come up the tube, pushing down to the bottom of the glass.. normally if I’m doing a big water change I’ll push the coral around in a circle and let the siphon tube hang and pick it all up. Sadly I’m enjoying decorative gravel more these days cause of the ease of cleaning lol not great for pH but oh well.. only my favourite species get the special crushed coral 🙆🏻‍♂️

[@peapodamoose]

Great video and great tips. I have had both gravel and sand and I find sand much easier to maintain. It takes a little bit to develop a technique when vacuuming so that you aren’t sucking up sand , but once you get it down it’s a very easy cleanup. Keep the great videos coming Ben.

[@BenOchart]

You're right. Like anything, you have to deal with it correctly. Thanks for watching.

[@mollychrisa1]

Wow 💝🦠😊💖☮🧝‍♀️thanks

[@AstroMartine]

uuugh the first one is such a beautiful tank, wish I had the space for one that big.

[@philthefishaddict1484]

Great video. Your calm pace similar to “This Old House”. I’ve never kept cichlids but I will in the future. What is the blue with white nose fish? Thanks for the video your content applies to general fish keeping.

[@BenOchart]

Phil TheFishaddict Thank you Phil. The fish you’re referring to is commonly called a Mdoka White Lips. He’s a Placidochromis.

[@adrianlaing279]

Great channel very informative watching from the island of Jamaica ill be changing from gravel to sand this weekend, i i currently stock some pink convict cichlids.

[@dustinstone2766]

Having a hard time with my Oscars after moving them to a 200 gallon tank..they have since started having HIH disease. The local shop told me to get my water parameters right before medicating and once medicating to remove a apart of the filter which will depelete the meds I am adding ? I run a fluval ac 100 HOB and fluval canister cabinet filter 370 but still have water clarity issue unless I use the conditioner all the time...

[@benlunn4006]

Subscribed and clicked the bell, lovely tank mate, keep up the great work :) Also, nice name, i'm Ben too haha.

[@dennisruedel]

Hey buddy, great tips and video! We must share the same relatives 😆.

[@scottmoran5408]

Great video buddy

[@okesmokey21]

What's the brand of black sand you're using?

[@crazyaboutafricancichlids1612]

Great video Ben. How often do you take your decor out of the tank to get the build up of detritus? Reason i ask is i have black sand too but i always have build up detritus under my rocks. I end up removing everything out of my tank everytime i vacuum sand.

[@BenOchart]

Joseph's Aquarium probably once a month to six weeks

[@danielmillard734]

I'm new too fish keeping I started with a 5gl then I bought a split 20gl and they did not take long too cycle so I moved my cories and cleaned glass substrate and decor and did not lose my cycle after a month I cleaned one of the 10gl and restarted the cycle over I think because I also rinsed the filter media lessons learned

[@chrisgriffin8472]

I have the same issue with my aqueon siphon. Thanks!

[@aseriouslollygagger5734]

I'm using sand substrate for the first time. It seems easier to keep clean than gravel. I wonder if it really is getting clean or if my Cory catfish are burying their waste like a big litter box. I figure I will be able to tell in a month or two if I'm doing this right. It looks real nice, and the fish seem happier. So far, so good.

[@BenOchart]

Once a month comb through it and it will be very easy to keep pristine. Waste settles on top and the water movement or perhaps, as in my case, a powerhead moves the waste to the filter intake.

[@n.c.1201]

I have cory cats and sand as well. They have a betta male roommate. I'm new at this so learning about the cats as well

[@squirrelattackspidy]

@@BenOchart Will the same principal of poop being drawn into the intake apply if I use sand/aragonite with a hang on back filter? That's what I have (HOB). I only have a 20 gallon tank. I just saw what you meant by rake. I just need to use a stick or something to stir up the sand! :) Thanks!

[@jensmith8404]

hi, what kind of gravel is that you're using?

[@miked6335]

When I scoop the bottom of my fish pond using a spa net, it releases loads of bubbles from the bottom. I don't have a sense of smell so have no idea what the gas is. Sometimes the fish swim thru the resulting cloud of detritus. Based on a comment on one of your newer videos and subsequent research, I just bought a container of Bio-Clean. Besides the drain pipes in the house, I plan to give it a try in the pond and my tanks. Clean Gene, the friendly bacteria, says it's environmentally safe!

[@JustMyFish]

Hi Ben how are you buddy. OCD makes me do that every day 😆. Sometimes it's not even needed but I do it. What we need is a robot magnet glass cleaner that did it for us every 3 hours 😁 let's invent it lol. I have a Premiere video today at 16:00 UK time feel free to pop in and network meet people have fun😉👍🏻

[@BenOchart]

JustMyFish The best fish keepers are afflicted with some OCD 😉 I’ll check it out if time allows for sure.

[@JustMyFish]

@@BenOchart it starts in 10 minutes 😉👍🏻

[@BenOchart]

BTW, I believe there is a robot glass cleaner that you can control with an app.

[@JustMyFish]

@@BenOchart Well I will look for that Wonder it it's any good. 😊

[@JustMyFish]

To expensive buddy www.indiegogo.com/projects/moai-robot-for-your-aquarium#/

[@romcapprotti7477]

Another good video where do you get the black sand at ?

[@squirrelattackspidy]

Hi Ben. Would you lightly skim over and not deep gravel vaccum with Caribsea Aragonite? I'm battling a cory that's losing his mouth and have a feeding dish filled with the aragonite, so it's easier for him to eat then the rest of the tank which is filled with gravel. Wondering if I should do the whole tank with it, but I find it gets easily sucked up during vaccuuming and I don't want to clog my house plumbing. Thanks for the info! BTW, your fish look so calm. You must talk with them. :)

[@gethseman]

How do I get rid of bubbles from the sand that I just added?

[@BenOchart]

Well, you can fan them off or just wait and in a week or two they will be gone.

[@pauldeacon8764]

Hi Ben! very imformative video! Can I ask u please? With African cichlids, are they cold water? or do u have to heat the water please?? 😃👍

[@BenOchart]

I keep them at 78f

[@pauldeacon8764]

@@BenOchart I'm sorry Ben! I don't totally understand your answer! I'll put it a different way, are they tropical or cold water please? 😃👍

[@dennisruedel]

I have had some gas pockets release in the past and no harm done.

[@Tommys_reptiles]

Do you clean the rock background, I just put mine in my tank a month ago and wasn’t sure

[@BenOchart]

Machine Gun Maxwell once a year I might pull it out. I have a pleco that works on it

[@pipperoooo]

It happened to my tank I had to do a 75% water change. Luckily my fish didn't die but they were breathing bad. Smells like rotten eggs. It's not fun. I do love sand best though. Thanks for the vid.

[@magzire]

I removed my gravel to treat ich with salt, worked perfectly. Now i actually like it bare bottomed. Anything gets sucked up.

[@BenOchart]

If you want decor, they sell mats that look like lake bottom, so you get the advantages of bare bottom but a nice look.

[@magzire]

@@BenOchart oh excellent, will look into that. thanks

[@glasser620]

I just installed a new 65gal tank. I installed under sand jet system, I used play sand. I washed it till it was clear and installed in tank. The problem is that I can see small particles of what looks like sand moving all over. Is this normal to see all the time. No fish in tank yet.

[@BenOchart]

Yes. No matter how much you rinse, there will always be some of that. It will clear up eventually.

[@glasser620]

@@BenOchart thank you

[@deepakbhole6701]

I'm new in this. I'm confused between sand and sugar sand. Please guide.

[@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058]

If you have a thing for "clean" substrate black or white sand will keep you cleaning the aquarium more than you thought, I vacuum mine like every once a month so most of the the junk goes to the plants.

[@sidneywhite749]

What size is the python hose , I need to extend mine.

[@collinblake9957]

Do you have a power head recommendation for a 36 gallon bowfront tank?

[@BenOchart]

Usually the filter return will create enough stirring up for a tank that size. What kind of filter are you running on it?

[@collinblake9957]

Ben Ochart I’m running a cobalt ext, 210 gph canister. Also a sponge filter with fluval q1 pump. I’m thinking about removing the sponge or replacing it with a smaller one. It’s hard to hide in this tank. Then upgrade the canister media, etc. What I have current is probably plenty, I guess I was hoping for a little plant movement.

[@robertlefler6644]

Seems to me that the finer sand ,like the pool filter sand I use holds the gases , I like yours, bit more coarse, not much tho , looks good and nice tank

[@Dovietail]

Breaking up gas pockets is an all-or-nothing deal. You either do it fairly regularly to avoid toxic build up, or don't do it at all--or you're likely to release enough methane to do your fish harm.

[@BenOchart]

Dovey Dossett Good advice, thanks

[@urbansk8r231]

True it also depends on how people perceive their fish. Some people value their dog, cat or parakeet more that a tank full of fish. So they do more to keep those pets healthy than they do their fish. To me all pets are equal and should be given the same care. If you love your pet then it should show in your actions. By keeping them as healthy and as safe as possible. That's why I turn to the internet to make sure I'm giving my fish the right care.

[@jamesgreen9372]

What type of gas is supposed to be in the bubbles from the substrate?

[@mariot.5178]

toxic

[@geminilantern]

@@mariot.5178 And it smells awful, very foul

[@pauls.981]

Ben, do you clean your substrate with every water change?

[@GSP-76]

I have very fine pool filter sand in my big tank...it looks beautiful BUT I wouldn't recommend it to someone getting ready to setup a new tank... cichlids will "redecorate" and dig huge holes down to the glass no matter how often you redistribute the sand...there are some aquarium sands that have bigger grain size, those are the best to use. Ben, I'm surprised you never see bubbles come out of the sand...I get them all the time when I'm racking the sand... maybe it's because I'm using pool filter sand?

[@BenOchart]

Gurvinder Parmar A heavier sand is also less likely to get sucked up into the filter or siphon. I’m not sure why I don’t get gas bubbles. I’m using “Imaginarium” sand.

[@GSP-76]

@@BenOchart How thick is your sand bed? I'm using a good 3 inch sand bed across my tank...in some areas it's slightly more. I think thinner sand beds are less likely to hold gases...and let's not forget how much cichlids like to redecorate...lol.

[@BenOchart]

2 - 3" in spots. Do you have females in your tank? I ask because of all the redecorating (building of nests).

[@thismarcus4926]

What kind of black sand is that?

[@BenOchart]

Imaginarium, I think it’s a Petco brand

[@thismarcus4926]

@@BenOchart ok thanks. been trying to find all black sand good for cichlids.

[@BenOchart]

That black sand is just plain sand. If you want something African Cichlid specific, consider CaribSea products like this: www.amazon.com/dp/B004K80YEA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_S6475AVYNGF69B6DAT74

[@thismarcus4926]

@@BenOchart That's perfect thanks

[@eddiewaters5445]

Brand new tank. Didn’t check for sand in my magna float. Screeeechhhhh. Big ol scratch on my new tank 😢

[@mau5lover2000]

Yep i always feed my guys after maintenance to make them happy so they don't stay stressed out.

[@BenOchart]

Good tip. Something about a water change that gets them all pumped up.

[@hoffaoudi1121]

Great Video & Very Informative. From 1 African Cichlid Keeper to Another...Please Don't Hit the Crąck Pipe Again (5:08) LoOoL

[@BenOchart]

Hoffa Oudi LOL

[@norazman4919]

👍 👍 👍

[@ghos282]

About your 'Gas Pockets' question: See Dr. Kevin Novak KZbin Postings about Freshwater 'Jaubert Plenum' Systems. (Primarily for addressing the other half of the Nitrogen Cycle, Denitrification.) ..And avoiding the formation of Hydrogen Sulfide creating 'pockets' in the process.

[@ladyt1866]

Wow that was random,”looks like I’m hitting a crack pipe” . If that was true you’d be hanging from the ceiling by your toe nails , cleaning the fish tanks. Lol 😂 . OMG , the worst part is dealing with the friggin hose 🤬

[@kellihoff2041]

Hi Ben😁 I was wondering what your using to scrap the sand?

[@BarbD55]

what type of vacuum are you using? I'd be sucking up all the sand!

[@tulioalopez]

Is there a way to ask you a question by e mail?

[@BenOchart]

Tulio Lopez PM me on FB

[@njafricancichlids5149]

Another great video. Your water clarity speaks for itself. I respect your perspective and have a VENESTUS puzzling me he’s hurt but I’m unsure if it’s disease or attack. Just posted the vid can you please view & comment 🙏 THANKS

[@T.J-and-Soul]

Crack pipe hahahahaha what a dry sense of humour love it haha

[@BenOchart]

People with a sense of humor are my favorite people 🤣😀👍🏻

[@shaun9107]

The used water from your tank is GOOD for watering your PLANTS . I never use tap water for my plants anymore , it is FULL of Factory waste that gives of BLACK MOLD !

[@urbansk8r231]

Don't you have a water treating plant there..

[@lindaford8513]

Hello Ben, I listen to all the u-tube people that explain things within my grasp and in a kind of layman lingo that I understand. I've been away from my aquariums for some 30+ Years, but they let out their call and I heard them. I recently cure my first Angel from tail rot and was very proud of myself. Some German rams I purchased all died and I have no idea why. I took pictures of the water test with the charts and could NOT find their trouble. I know now I will need to do business with retible people. Now for the request. Would it be possible to do a video on exactly how to add ( From tank) CO2 to your aquarium. I've shot a paint ball, but I didnot load it. Olease Ben, if you find the time OR KNOW of someone who can do it, lead them my way. I need this info as fast as I can get it

[@hussblacksmith5417]

Bahaha crack pipe 😂😂

[@BenOchart]

Huss Husstling 😂🤣😂LOL

[@ghos282]

You can avoid the creation of Hydrogen Sulfide pockets with the use of a Plenum. I'll defer to the Expert: Dr. Kevin Novak KZbin posts on the topic.

[@BenOchart]

I have read that concern over hydrogen sulfide pockets in deep sand substrates is actually exaggerated and not really an issue. It gases off harmlessly.

[@ghos282]

@@BenOchart Typically. It only takes gills getting burned once to become alert to taking better precautions. - IF you put a 1 inch thick, 30 PPI. Poret Foam mat over the Plenum, - (Swisstropicals dot com) - (you can silicon glue the edge seams together).. You can still do 'Sand' substrate. Deferring again to Dr. Kevin Novak KZbin Videos, as to Extremely low flow (if any other than thermal transfer). - Myself, I grade Flourite Black and Eco Complete Black to what will screen through a #7, but will not screen through a #10 Plastic Canvas. (Which is a grade of approximately 3/32 Inch. An old Box type- Hand Crank- Adjustable Auger Gap- Coffee grinder works perfectly on these 'substrate' types when they are dry. (I also use a HMF on one end). -The reason for this grading, is that over the years I have had to 'Rescue' many a fish that had gotten Larger grade substrate lodged in their mouths or blocking their digestive tracts.

[@salvalenti5870]

Tip number 11 crack is whack

[@wyomingadventures]

Whitney Houston fan are we?

[@BenOchart]

Truth

[@Napco205]

I dont recommend to use either,... the more shit you have in your tank, the more maintenance, higher nitrates,... traps waste,.. no substrate at all is the way to go.

[@urbansk8r231]

A bare bottom tank don't look natural It's not that much more maintenance. Plus I like a planted tank and not just plants that you glue to rocks or floating plants. I like creating a scape. But I cause each to there own. As long as the fish are healthy an happy that's all that matters.

[@aaronkunkel2022]

Crack pipe dude. Haha😂

[@BenOchart]

Aaron Kunkel LOL

[@liberty4175]

I just farted.