Cleaning gravel

[Angela1108]

So this will sound pretty stupid I am sure. I've only ever done a mix of live and fake plants. We are planning on switching out 55g over to all plants.

Now when I do our water changes with the gravel vaccuum thing I usually would go around the few live plants I had. In a heavily planted tank how do you clean? Just go around really delicately? I don't want to accidentally uproot everything. Or if you get enough plants especially a carpet of plants can you skip and just pull the water from the top instead

With my fake plants if I move them sucking stuff up oh well. Just fix it after.

 

[jumperlizard7]

Usually, the gravel won't need but a skim off the top, in the open areas of the planted tank.

 

[Angela1108]

That's sort of what I figured. Since it is a 55 gallon we will probably swap a couple plants a week. When it was partially planted and partially fake I was figuring using the gravel thing just around the fake ones

In that aspect it seems like it makes the tank easier!!

 

[fishenthusiast]

Usually, the gravel won't need but a skim off the top, in the open areas of the planted tank.

I do the same with my planted tank. You never know where a plant's roots could venture to and it is always best not to disturb any plants. Also, you might have stuff that will decompose into the substrate, which will help with fertilization.