Really Stupid Question Alert

[Sammy1911]

i use my gravel vacum and am currently usin the handle of a wooden spoon to kick up the rubbish between the plants but always end up pullin a few out, they're all stem plants and i dont want to be movin them about like this as it will no doubt hinder growth etc ive bin hopin someone else was goin to ask but im bitin the bullet as ive got anutha gravel clean pendin - hints n tips pls

 

[Jamepsss]

i use my gravel vacum and am currently usin the handle of a wooden spoon to kick up the rubbish between the plants but always end up pullin a few out, they're all stem plants and i dont want to be movin them about like this as it will no doubt hinder growth etc ive bin hopin someone else was goin to ask but im bitin the bullet as ive got anutha gravel clean pendin - hints n tips pls

Vacuum around them carefully, not directly under them. Your plants will use a lot of the waste in the gravel anyway. If you want to vacuum amongst the plants then remove the attachment and just use the hose.

 

[Sammy1911]

Thanks for the tip will take the nozzel off and try that tomorrow!!

You've sparked another question now , if the plants use up some of the waste - does that mean/include fish waste (specifically no2's)? Also, you said "if you want to vacumn" so do I not necessarily need to vacumn between the plants just the clear area in the middle of my tank or am I misinterpreting what you're saying?

I've always marvelled at the really heavily plants tanks you know the ones with grasses leading back to the bigger plants and wondered how they manage to clean the subtract underneath when they have fish in the tanks too.... sorry if it's a bit obvious, I'm probably being a bit dim

Many thanks P.s. hope i've at least given a few people out there a giggle or two hehehe

 

[Jamepsss]

Thanks for the tip will take the nozzel off and try that tomorrow!!

You've sparked another question now , if the plants use up some of the waste - does that mean/include fish waste (specifically no2's)? Also, you said "if you want to vacumn" so do I not necessarily need to vacumn between the plants just the clear area in the middle of my tank or am I misinterpreting what you're saying?

I've always marvelled at the really heavily plants tanks you know the ones with grasses leading back to the bigger plants and wondered how they manage to clean the subtract underneath when they have fish in the tanks too.... sorry if it's a bit obvious, I'm probably being a bit dim

Many thanks P.s. hope i've at least given a few people out there a giggle or two hehehe

Yeah I just meant if you wanted/needed to really. Like if your doing a water change and you notice some muck around the bottom of the plant then you could suck it up with your syphon hose.

As for the heavily planted tanks, they probably don't gravel vacuum much at all. I do, because I have sand and it stays on top, but that's nice and easy.