Gravel Vac on Planted tank

[Barday]

I was wondering, after reading the "Carpet plant" thread it got me thinking that it's a really cool idea! My tank is already heavily planted and I would love to carpet my substrate with java moss or an alternative (I'll see more suggestions from the thread to get more ideas before i make a choice.)

Anyway, all peeps who have pretty heavily planted tanks............. do you gravel vac? do you need too? If so how do you do it?

Thanlks

 

[Barday]

anyone?

 

[Discomafia]

You still gravel vac, just not on the carpeted areas.

 

[George Farmer]

I haven't gravel vacuumed in 18 months. The plants use the detritus/mulm as fertliser. As you can see it looks fine. Click the link.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=67288

 

[Sanj]

I gravel vac my planted tank and one of them is heavily planted. I have sagitaria natans as a carpet plant and when establish their roots make them pretty secure and so gravel vac doesnt disturb them too much.

I suppose then need for gravel vacuming can also depend on your fish stocking.

 

[konrad05]

I don't gravel vac, ever...

 

[Barday]

Thanks peeps,

I was gonna carpet the whole tank so it's good to know I can get away with never doing gravel vacs. The thing is, wont the nitrites be really high from the ecess decomposition?

 

[yvez9]

nitrites will be transformed to nitrates

Plants will use up some nitrates but usually not nearly enough to rid of them

You must still do weekly or bi-weekly water changes depending on your nitrate readings, just don't vacuum the bottom, just syphon water out!