This May Sound Like An Odd Question.

[Benauld]

When I get my tank up and running I want to plant it with real plants. However there are a couple of things I've been wondering about. Has anybody ever had problems with plant roots? I'm sure you've all seen how tree roots push through concrete, so whats stops plant roots from doing the same to the silicone sealant that holds a tank together?

Also, how are you supposed to use a gravel cleaner in a heavily planted tank, without disturbing the root systems?

 

[demonmagus]

well tree roots are very, very strong, whilst an aquatic plant's roots flop around a lot.

2. I believe that instead of pushing the gravel vac in to the gravel you 'hoover' it from above, head down to the planted section for more info

 

[thegnu]

you can vac as best as you can between the plants but a lot of the plants will use the dirt as fertilizer much the same as land plants would. when you see these spectacularly planted, thickly carpeted tanks its more on balancing the plants with how many fish you have with them. the emphasis is on the plants and the fish come second