New To Plants

[strttndrrn]

iam thinking about adding plants to my tank and just wondering is it hard to clean the gravel when the plants are in the tank would the roots be damaged and how do u clean the gravel

 

[AdAndrews]

iam thinking about adding plants to my tank and just wondering is it hard to clean the gravel when the plants are in the tank would the roots be damaged and how do u clean the gravel

I personally dont do gravel vac in my planted tanks, in a thickly planted tank its mostly impossible, the roots will move the substrate around a little, bringing waste down, which will break down, turn into nitrates and phosphates and feed the plants to some extent.

Adam

 

[crabbylion]

@AdAndrews; Good point on why you choose not to gravel vac your planted tank. I may consider your reasonings going forward. So are you suggesting to leave the plants alone and just vac the open areas(if any)?

@strttndrrn; Its not hard, just time consuming. I've had a planted 29 gallon for almost 2 years and once a month I would vaccumm the gravel. I'd gently uproot them all and place them in a bowl. I thoroughly vac the gravel leaving just little of the waste. Afterwards I replant them all. I've been gardening for years and I know the importance of disturbing/damaging the roots of a plant. My aquatic plants, however has prooved to be very hardy and they grow vigorously. The disturbances doesn't phase them at all. My plants are actually in more danger of the feasting Guppies than they are of my gravel cleanings.

 

[AdAndrews]

AdAndrews; Good point on why you choose not to gravel vac your planted tank. I may consider your reasonings going forward. So are you suggesting to leave the plants alone and just vac the open areas(if any)?

no, i dont suggest disturbing the substrate in a planted tank, this can cause algae issues.