Gravel Vac A Planted Aquarium?

[wolfwolf]

I have been replacing some of my plastic plants with real plants. I have a low tech tank. Do I still have to vac at every water change (once a week)? I read that fish waste is good for plants.

 

[shang hi]

depending on the gravel, eco compleat doesnt need vacing because it holds live bacteria (not filter bacteria) that will turn rotting waste or food into plant food. normal gravel will do little with fish waste the roots will take up any nutrients they can.
use plant root tablets for the nutrients plants need and liquid ferts (subterainian ferts are good too) and continue to gravel vac every week and any left over food other wise you could get a nasty spike of ammonia anf nirtite

depending on the gravel, eco compleat doesnt need vacing because it holds live bacteria (not filter bacteria) that will turn rotting waste or food into plant food. normal gravel will do little with fish waste the roots will take up any nutrients they can.
use plant root tablets for the nutrients plants need and liquid ferts (subterainian ferts are good too) and continue to gravel vac every week and any left over food other wise you could get a nasty spike of ammonia anf nirtite

 

[Themuleous]

Yep the waste (also called malm) is basically organic fertiliser, so the plants will love it. In a heavily planted aquarium there is no need to vac the gravel the plants take care of it. I have found it can accumulate in heavily stocked aquarium, which I then remove more for aesthetic reasons than anything else. This I do by waving my hand over the substrate/plants to lift it off the substrate and either let the filter remove it or suck it out during water changes.

Sam