Stupid question...how do you vacuum with planted tank?

[Passatryde]

Am I missing something? Do you just remove all the plants and then put them back afterward?

 

[George9]

Am I missing something? Do you just remove all the plants and then put them back afterward?

No, don't remove them! That'd be such a hassle! Vacuum around them as best as you can.

 

[jcolon]

I don't gravel vac where my plants are, I let whatever waste or uneaten food falls there breakdown as the plants can also use ammonia for nutrients.

I just pass the vac over the surface of the substrate in the areas where I don't have plants.

 

[Eleven13]

Having dirty substrate actually isn't a bad thing for plants because it generates more nitrogen in the form of ammonia that plants can utilize.

As others have said, I also just vacuum over the top of the gravel and it is fine.

In a non-planted tank, it is very important to keep the substrate clean because the ammonia generation in a non planted tank leads to increased nitrite and eventually nitrate, which will cause fish stress.

However, in a planted tank, plants utilize all 3 of those forms of nitrogen depending on the abundance, so they keep the water clean and safe from those compounds as well as get a boost from them.

 

[Coursair]

Water changes are still important. I still do vacuum the open area. Dirty substrate can rot my Cories barbels off. Just don't want anyone to go to extremes