how do u guys clean ur planted tanks

[darksheep]

so when u clean ur planted tanks, do u use a vacuum and how far do u push it down if u do and ovbousily how close to the plant would u go. and most importantly how often.

 

[mlaugh]

Well for me personally I don't stick the siphon down into the substrate since I use sand...I just hover it over the sand and it sucks up all the poo and other debris. As for how often, I do it once a week. My tanks aren't heavily planted but there is quite a bit of greenery in them...

 

[Da_Oz]

I get pretty close to the plants but not to deep just enought to get the stufff moving. Away from the plants alittle bit I go all the way down that way I get it all. If you leave some around your plants that is ok but if you leave it every where you could get a problem.

I do it weekly. Even thoe I really don't need to.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I have eco-complete for a substrate, unlike sand it just begs for the debris to settle into it so I have to suction the bottom like I would any gravel tank. I use a chopstick to loosen around the plants if I think that it is quite dirty there as well. Food never falls on to it without going right in so the little pygmy cory cats really can't do the job that they were made for. Pellets and algea wafers are also a bust as the matter just goes into the substrate.

ALASKA

 

[Silly me]

I use the outlet of my power filter to blow around before a waterchange , sturring everything up and then just drain 30% of the water my tanks is on a Sera waterchanger with a timer.. so I cant really move the outlet. once a week 30% of the water get changed.. sometimes I'm not even there when the water change starts.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

OMG cool Where do I get me one of those.