How to vacuum substrate in a planted tank?

[DeirdreHoyle]

I currently have a temple plant and a wisteria plant in my 29 gallon tank and am very new to plant keeping. I do a 50% weekly water change & gravel vacuum and I always find the most fish waste near the roots of my plants. I obviously don't want to be smashing my gravel vacuum into the plants' roots but also I don't like the idea of a bunch of fish poop rotting in the tank. I always see people's elaborately planted tanks with moss and other plants covering most of the tank and substrate, how do you people keep the floor clean!?! Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Super_Blueberry]

Just do a surface vac by the plants, and go deeper where you don't think the roots are. Fish poo acts as a natural fertilizer as well. Not the best one, but one none the less.

 

[DeirdreHoyle]

Ok thanks I'll try that. My water parameters are fine, so I suppose it's not that big of a deal, but I've got a pleco (huge bio-load) along with 10 other smaller fish so there's plenty of fish poo! lol