In heavily planted tanks just try to gravel clean what you can. Alternatively every few months lift some of the plants and gravel clean under them. Then re-plant them. This does mess the plants up a bit and slow their growth, but can help remove the gunk. (*NB* Don’t lift crypts unless you absolutely have to. They don’t like having their roots disturbed). If you have a plant substrate, something like laterite in the gravel, then don't bother gravel cleaning too much because you will just remove the medium.
10-15% water changes don't do much to dilute things in the tank. A 30% water change would do a lot more to reduce the number of pathogens in the water.
10-15% water changes don't do much to dilute things in the tank. A 30% water change would do a lot more to reduce the number of pathogens in the water.
