gravel vac and water chemistry

Originally Posted by Byron

I never really notice stuff being churned up by the corys; maybe it is very minute and I just don't see it. Stephanie, do you mean seeing large bits of stuff? Even when I vacuum deep along the front, it is very fine particles that come up. Partly due perhaps to fish, I remember when I had some larger plecos there would be much more noticeable mulm than with my smaller fish. Livebearers for instance produce more visible waste (in size) than characins.

One further point in relation to this, on water changes. It is commonly held by a majority of natural planted tank aquarists that water changes are not necessary and should not be performed regularly if at all. I have not embraced this thinking...yet; but it is held by Diana Walstad and Tom Barr, both highly respected experienced aquarists with professional training in biology and microbiology. Mr. Barr has a BSc in aquatic biology, a MSc in Botany, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Sciences. I have had some very rewarding and informative discussions with him. If one does no water changes, one is obviously not vacuuming anything from the substrate.

Nature is indeed amazing, if we only let her get on with it.

Byron.

Originally Posted by redchigh

On the water changes thing... where did you find that info? Online?

Originally Posted by Byron

Diana Walstad's book Ecology of the Planted Aquarium mentions it, and she has articles on the Aqua Botanic website.

Tom Barr has his own website and is a member of another forum, and he and I have exchanged thoughts on this.

It is not anything new, for many years planted tank aquarists have held the view that water changes in planted aquaria should be minimal to non-existent. There are very good rasons why. But you can't take this at face value, there are issues and balances, some of which I have mentioned in various threads here.

Byron.