Vacuming the Gravel

[catyrpelius]

Up untill now, on my once a week 20% percent water changes, i have had fate plants, so i have just been takeing them out and vacuming the gravel all the way to the bottom. Now I have the beginings of a planted tank, what is the right way to vacum the gravel now?

 

[LoachLover]

Just vacum around them

 

[nc_nutcase]

Vacuum the unplanted regions as normal but not vacuuming anywhere you believe there to be roots (I'd say around 3 inches from new plants as they are unstable).

 

[LoachLover]

yeah be sure not to jam the vacum into the gravel to close to a plant because it could very easily cut the roots.

 

[Italian_Stallion]

how do u stop plants from becoming uprooted if they havent established a proper root system ?? also if u cut a brach off a plant and just stick it in the gravel will it grow roots ??

Thanks

Rocky..

 

[Dubby]

how do u stop plants from becoming uprooted if they havent established a proper root system ?? also if u cut a brach off a plant and just stick it in the gravel will it grow roots ??

Thanks

Rocky..

You could use lead weights to keep them down. Most plants should root in a week or 2.

And to answer your second question - Yes, most stemmed plants will root. This will not work with rosette plants (grassy types) which propogate by runners.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I use my fingers to very gently poke the gravel around the plants to stir up any debris which then either gets filtered or I scoop up with the fishnet.

 

[LoachLover]

I just make sure their roots are good and tucked in under the gravel.


Yes you can do that but I haven't had much luck with it.

 

[gadazobe]

There is no need to clean the gravel around the plants, they will use the debris as plant food. Just clean where you're sure there are no roots.