Should I change the gravel and decorations in my tank?

Question

We have had our tank for two years and it seems that it doesn't stay clean for more than a week. The white gavel gets brown on the sides of the tank very quickly. Would it be beneficial to change the gravel?
Also, our fake plant decorations have turned black. I clean the plastic ones every other week. But the cloth-like ones are totally black now and I can't get the scum off. Should I just replace them? Or do they even matter?

It is a 29 Gallon Freshwater tank. It has a filter, aerator, heater, light (on only at night).

Answer 1

I think the key lies in the fact that you say your night is on at night. The black and brown you are seeing are forms of algae and cynobacteria that grows in part from too much light. Try to keep the lights on for no more than 8-10 hours a day and make that during daylight hours as much as possible. Also prevent any sunlight from hitting the tank.

Be sure you also do regular weekly water changes and use a gravel siphon to clean the gravel as you go. This will rob the algae of needed nutrients and slow it's growth.

Between these two things you can greatly reduce the algae in the tank without drastic measures.

MM

Answer 2

First of all..don't replace your gravel. The gravel in your tank serves as a biological filter..a place where good bacteria live that help rid your tank of things like ammonia and nitrites. If you take the gravel you also take the good stuff with it. In a well established tank like yours this could be devastating.
It sounds to me like you may be overfeeding. Make sure you're only feeding 1-2 times a day and just enough that the fish will consume in under a minute. Scoop anything else out. I would also highly recommend testing your water.
As for cleaning the gravel..invest in a python. They are in my opinion the best and easiest way to syphon the gravel. When you do this, just take the syphon and put it about half way down into the gravel. You don't want to remove all of the stuff down there..just the stuff you see really. Sadly white never really stays white in a fishtank...just like it wouldn't in any natural body of water. You may want to consider getting some darker gravel and just covering over the white. The other thing I should note is that you never want to remove more than 20% of the fishtanks water at a time..keep an eye on that while cleaning the gravel.
I can't help with the plants..it's the main reason I don't buy fake ones. Maybe try some live plants instead.. or just skip them and use more decorations. But I'll bet that if you go easier on feeding it will help.
Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I am assuming you have a saltwater tank. If so the black "scum" is good for the environment. It is called "living rock." There are microorganisms that make a healthy place for saltwater fish to live. I think your problem is just the appearance and not how healthy your tank is.

I have freshwater fish which my family and I enjoy quite a lot. If you do have freshwater then you should have clear water and clean tank items. If you have freshwater and do not have a clean tank then you can do a few things. You can get a better filter, clean the filter more often, add oxygen to the water (aerator), change some of the water (no more than 50%) or get fish that live on algae.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

like the others have stated, i might do away with the fish to a short-term bucket with as lots of the tank water as available, then scoop out the gravel and replace it. in case you have a spare fish internet, they artwork nicely as a scoop, yet you would be able to bend the take care of somewhat. in case you won't be in a position to do away with each and all of the water earlier switching out the gravel you desire to to furnish your filter out a pair hours to bathe the water earlier including the fish returned in, considering which you will stir up various crap during the swap. additionally remember the gravel homes various the micro organism required for perfect filtration, and that they're going to take it sluggish to to recolonize the recent gravel. Do commonly used water exams after the swap to keep away from new tank syndrome.

Answer 5

as long as your fish are happy and healthy and the algae isnt choking the tank, then it doesnt really matter.

the brown sludge type algae around the rocks is good algae. it is actually needed for good water cycling/condition, as long as it doesnt get way out of hand.

white gravel in an aquarium isnt a good idea unless you are ok with the fact that it wont be white for long.

if you are really worried, get some algae killer from your local petshop or some type of catfish that will eat the algae.
.

Answer 6

Hey.What I've done is buy a large aquarium castle,and giant hollow log.Will entertain you and the fish,also treat your tank with anti-algae fluid,and insert a charcoal filter.tank which will filter all cloudiness out and fish will look healthier.
Good luck.

Answer 7

sounds like your tired of white gravel.
replace it w/ natural color, wash plants....water only, and use activated carbon instead of charcoal. charcoal dont do anything except make you thing your doing something.
activeted carbon costs more, but you use less, about 1/4 inch, sanwiched
between cotton......

Answer 8

I would replace them,all the sediment goes into the gravel and you can't possibly get it all out.

Answer 9

Do you have a janitor fish? Do you have a good filter? Use any treatment solutions?

Answer 10

replace....put marbles or glass rocks at the bottom of the tank and put in fresh plastic plants.

If you can, i would also suggest getting a filter and/or one of those fish that eats algae.