Garavel Hoovering

[SLIM]

SORRY just realised iv posted this in the wrong place. Can someone please move this to the planted section for me. Thankyou

Just a quick on, like the title says...
Is gravel/sand hoovering essential during water changes in a planted tank?

My problem is very little substrate is exsposed due to plants and i cant get the syphon hoover into most places.
Is this a problem? Is there another way?

Thanx in advance

 

[Caprichoso]

You can just hover the vac over the ground cover and only vac the areas where the substrate is exposed. The plants roots will use the waste as fertilizer. Be careful around the base of stem plants as the gravel vac can easily damage the roots. I think most planted tank persons will agree that you shouldn't have to gravel vac a truly planted tank.

 

[SLIM]

Yea i kinda thought this. Iv seen some truely amazing heavily planted tanks that would be impossible to vacum.
That makes me feel better about not bein able to hoover everywhere.
Thanx

 

[Caprichoso]

You're welcome and good luck with your tank. I've been working towards not having to do any more gravel vac's myself.

 

[SLIM]

You're welcome and good luck with your tank. I've been working towards not having to do any more gravel vac's myself.

Lol

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

I have to vac daily, but only cause my sailfin pleco does sooo much poo lol but I've started using one which does not syphon any water out, powered by my airpump it collects the poo in a small bag.
This vac has a much smaller intake nozzle than the conventional syphon so its easier to get in amongst the plants think it cost about a fiver.

 

[SLIM]

I have to vac daily, but only cause my sailfin pleco does sooo much poo lol but I've started using one which does not syphon any water out, powered by my airpump it collects the poo in a small bag.
This vac has a much smaller intake nozzle than the conventional syphon so its easier to get in amongst the plants think it cost about a fiver.

Iv seen these. Battery powered aint they? Are they anygood?

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

Well this one I have does not use batteries, its powered by my air pump, the suction is quite strong and I can say its brill, its main advantage is that your not removing any water.