Using A Gravel Vac

[sic0198]

How do you clean a planted tank? How do you use a gravel vac in a tank that's planted. Do you run it over the sand and when you get to a plant do you just pick it up outta the sand, use the vac to clean nthe area where it was then put the plant back. Same with the decorations.

 

[doresy]

How do you clean a planted tank? How do you use a gravel vac in a tank that's planted. Do you run it over the sand and when you get to a plant do you just pick it up outta the sand, use the vac to clean nthe area where it was then put the plant back. Same with the decorations.

If you have sand then it's best to wave the end of the syphon tube just above the sand surface to disturb the muck then suck it up. Don't remove the plants or the decorations on a regular water change.
I collect the old water is a shallow bucket then if you suck up sand it can be collected, strained, washed and put back in on the next water change.

 

[AngelOfDeath]

no need to pull the plants out

doesnt need to be mr.muscle levels of clean, just enought to remove the majority of solid waste etc

If you have sand/fine gravel, you might want to put your finger over the end of the syphon (the end out of the water) as this makes it less powerful becuase less air is getting in, and therefore it wont suck up too much gravel/sand which could lead to clogging, which we all now isn't fun