cleaning gravel

Question
I have no idea how to clean brand-new gravel! When I tried putting it in a pasta strainer, some got through and clogged my garbage disposal. Then I tried straining some through a fish net and it broke. I tried putting some in a small plastic container, adding water, shaking it around then carefully dumping out the water while keeping my hand over the gravel. That was ok, but some little pieces of floating gravel got out. Hopefully doesn't clog my bathroom sink. Any ideas??? I've asked the pet stores, but they weren't too helpful.

On a different note, how often should I change the filter on a 29 gallon tank with currently 4 platies, 3 mollies, and 3 african dwarf frogs? What about a 10 gallon with currently a tetra, tiger barb, cory catfish, and a frog? Also, my ten gallon filter has a wiry looking thing in front of the filter for bacteria and my 29 gallon doesn't. Should it have one as well? Do they help?

Ok, thanks. I think that's it.  

Answer
Hey :]

Its pretty easy to clean gravel. Go to the backyard tap or kitchen tap and get 2 buckets and a shifter. Pour about 2 cups of gravel into the shifter, put the bucket under the tap, turn the tap and a put the shifter with gravel in it under the running water and move the gravel around until the water underneath comes out clear and pour the gravel into the other bucket. Keep repeating this step till you are happy with the amount of gravel on the bottom of the tank. Use the water in the bucket for your garden.

You should clean the filter about every 2 weeks for any size tank.

The bacteria cleaner can help but you don't need it

Hope that helps

Your Truelly

Chloe xx