Substrate Hoovering

[SLIM]

Just a quick one, like the title says...
Is gravel/sand hoovering essential during water changes in a planted tank?

My problem is very little substrate is exsposed due to plants and i cant get the syphon hoover into most places without disturbing or uprooting plants.
Is this a problem? Is there another way?

Thanx in advance

 

[KittyKat]

Some people say it is essential to the survival of your fish.. but I can count the number of times I have done it on the fingers of one hand because I do not believe mulm is anything to fear and I do not feed anywhere near enough to have to worry about uneaten food.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It looks like you have very fine gravel and you should be able to hoover over it without disturbing the plants. I just wouldn't dive into the gravel with the syphon. If you do it with every water change you shouldn't have a big problem with stuff settling way down in the gravel.

Nice tank, by the way!

 

[SLIM]

Thanx, its a work in progress
Its actually suppose to be a large grained sand altho it does look like gravel in the pics iv taken. My corys have no problem digging through it.
The sand is easy to hoover but theirs alot of places i cant seem to reach because of the plants and wondered if this was a problem.
Thank you both for your advice

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think if your parameters are good and the tank is running smoothly, don't worry too much. Maybe get some shrimp in there to help!

 

[SLIM]

I think if your parameters are good and the tank is running smoothly, don't worry too much. Maybe get some shrimp in there to help!

I really want shrimp but i keep getting told i cant have them because i have Angels.
Yea my water has always been fine "touch wood"

I fitted a powerhead today as im getting ready to CO2 inject and i was disgusted with the amount of crap that blew up from hidden places where i havnt been able to hoover properly. Thats why i jumped on here for some advice.