gravel vaccum in planted tank

[Bigzmey]

When doing vac in a planted tank is it ok to dig a bit into the gravel to remove more of the fish waste. I have ~3.5" of gravel, is disturbing top 0.5" a bad idea?

 

[mudraker]

Personally, unless you are having really high nitrate problems, I wouldn't vac into the substate of a planted tank, just the top.

Fish waste is excellent food for your plants and the roots won't get disturbed.

I'm sure there will be other opinions on this. It's just what I do and get excellent results.

 

[dkpate]

I agree, I just wave the vac over the plants.