How Do You Clean?

[mtv8dmarine]

For those of you that have densely planted tanks or tanks that have grass or something like dwarf swordplant, how do you clean you tanks with a siphon and not harm the plants?

I'm looking into putting live plants in my tank instead of the plastic ones but this question perplexes me.

 

[anshuman]

this is the same reason keeping me from carpeting my tank.

 

[mtv8dmarine]

The foreground carpeting looks really nice though. Can you just siphon it just gently? I'd entertain trying it in my tank if I knew how it was maintained as far as weekly cleanings go.

 

[anshuman]

i can siphon the tank right now without moving stuff. so far its okay, but if carpet it with dwarf hair grass or something, i wont be able to siphon at all and i am not sure how that will go.

 

[RadaR]

Stick with me for a second........We are advised to have large flow/circulation in planted tanks in order to deliever nutrients and CO2 to the plants at a high rate. Typically, you want 10 times the volume of the tank, turned over every hour. For example, a 150litre tank would require a total of 1500litres of water pumped around every hour. Now for the main point....Powerful filters and flow decrease the chance of debris falling to the bottom of the tank and quickly get sucked up. A few bits may get to the bottom therefore gently wave your hand near the gravel and siphon up what you disturb. Having good flow really does kill two birds with one stone.