Gravel vac a planted tank?

[Caliban07]

Do you or don't you?

 

[Sk3lly]

I used to before plants took over every square inch of my substrate lol

 

[Fresh2o]

I used to before plants took over every square inch of my substrate lol

Ditto. Did a rescape and now have some open area up front so I try to vac maybe every other week.

 

[Mebbid]

Generally, in planted tanks vaccing the substrate is completely ignored.

 

[Old Scales]

I really don't vac the gravel but as my Python drains water during a WC I'll gently poke the bell around the bottom of the plants where I can. I hold the bell just above the substrate and wiggle it gently. It's surprising how much detritus is holding at the bottom of the plants just above the surface. Even in a 29g with an Fluval C3 HOB and a Fluval 206 canister. OS.

 

[Coryluv]

I vac open areas with accumulated debris, if needed, by hovering over sand. I never try to vac in the plants themselves.