Siphon and fish

[Foch29]

I have a 15 gallon tank. I want to heavily plant it. How can I siphon the gravel without touching the fertilized substrate for the plants? If I choose sand for the top layer of the substrate Can I siphon it without creating a mess and mixing it with the layer of dirt under it??
And what easy to care/to breed fish you suggest that will live peacefully with snails and shrimps(like Sakura)? (I already know the most common u will recommend like guppy, Molly, platie, swordtail so please advise me other species). Ty

 

[King Fisher]

Use a turkey baster to suck up whatever is lying on the sand then use the siphon for the water change.

 

[Foch29]

Use a turkey baster.

Doesn't it suck sand too?

 

[King Fisher]

It's a lot easier to control than a siphon. I use it on my 5g Betta tank. Works great. I have a more coarse sand in my 150g that I use a siphon on. I put it just above the sand to where it doesn't suck it up the tube.