vacuming substate in planted tanks

drab911

I realize when you have an unplated tank it is very important to vacume your gravel when you do your water changes.. but when you have a heavily planted tank.. not only does it seem impossible to do this is it also nessicary?
I would imagine that all of the waste would kinda just dissolve into plant food.. or should you try and vacume around all of the roots of the plants?? im talking about plants on the entire surface of the substrate.. thanks

grnlemonade · Super Senior Member Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 1027

is it just purely a plant tank, with no fish? if so, i dont think you would have to vaccuum. the vaccuum mainly picks up fish excretement and waste food.

drab911 · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:53 am Post subject:

no I have fish.. its a 16 gallon and i have 2 otocats, 2 zebra danios, 1 gourami and 2 african dwarf frogs.. im planning to get 2 more neons and that will be it..
so do I need to vacume the gravel>? and if so how do you do it without sucking up all the plants>?

Hooben · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 3:32 am Post subject:

You have to really be carefull not to get too close. Roots can be damaged and it's a safe bet the plants will use the waste all around them. You can get the siphon to run at a slower rate by pinching on the tube. This may give you more control on the power and water flow coming from the siphon.