Fluval Stratum and tank cleaning

[Kamdavid]

Hello, it’s me.

I use fluval stratum under my aquarium gravel for the live plants in the tank. But when I go to siphon , it takes the stratum, making it hard to clean the gravel. How can I avoid this ? Or should I not even bother with the stratum ?

 

[Colin_T]

If you have gunk under the substrate specifically for plants, don't bother gravel cleaning. Just move the gravel cleaner over the surface of the substrate, so you suck the gunk off the top but don't disturb the substrate.

 

[Kamdavid]

So the poop and stuff that goes under the gravel is ok? I roughly go over the top of the gravel, but my gravel is kinda large so things get stuck in it. Cannot auction the gravel too much because the stratum gets sucked up.

 

[Colin_T]

No the poop isn't good for the fish but it is good for the plants.

If you push the gravel cleaner into the substrate you will remove the stuff you put in there for the plants. It's a compromise, you set the tank up for plants so focus on them and don't have too many fish.