Water change question

[wellspringreefer-80]

Hello folks,

Got back into the hobby after 30 years so I’m considering myself a newb. Had fish only tank in those days. As such I’m looking for some info on water changes.

I understand we have to do our water changes, but what I don’t see mentioned much of anywhere is whether a “water change” means cleaning your substrate too each time along with it.

Do folks here actually vacuum their sand each time you do your 5-10% changes. Or do you wait and clean it every other time? I don’t feel like cleaning the sand bed with each water change is necessary. My tank is less than 6 months old right now too.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[Jasonak]

Welcome back, I personally do not vacuum my sand bed. You will get different answers to this of course.

 

[Pntbll687]

You can, but you don't have to.

I have a 120 in my office, and i siphon and clean the substrate usually once a month or so. Nothing crazy, but I do it because there's allot of open substrate and it just looks better.

On my 180 in my living room, I haven't cleaned the sand in a long time, mainly because it's covered with coral. If I go in and frag out of the tank and clear space on the sand, I'll siphon that area every few weeks.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't vacuum the sand.

 

[TylerHaworth]

I've never vacuumed sand, but I always keep a healthy crew of sand sifting inverts.