Clean a Planted Tank!

[busdriver]

How do you clean a planted tank without pulling up all the plants, moving the drift- wood and rocks?
I have a Python but I don't like results.

[beowulf]

Can't think of another way.  I do it as little as possible as long as the water is good.  Yesterday I had to move a fish so I ended up taking down the caves and cleaned in there at the same time.  There was a fair bit of pleco poop so it was time to clean.

[artw]

I have never gravel vacced a planted tank.  the only cleaning I do is razor blade the glass and occasionally pull off some leaves.  every month or so I clean,  and sometimes destroy my canister filters.

[busdriver]

every month or so I clean,  and sometimes destroy my canister filters.

Isn't that kind of expensive!

[artw]

I guess I'll find out tonight. I will be buying the new Marineland canister. I'll post a product review.
the last filter I destroyed was a Filstar. whats with me and breaking the clips.   

[Adam]

My plants are pretty firmly rooted.  I still use the 5 gallon bucket/syphon setup, and I generally use a 1.5" diameter or 1" diameter syphon...I pick up a LOT of poop, but the plants stay rooted.  I just pass it over and push down slightly...it doesn't damage the plants...just don't move it laterally or you will rip out the plants that catch on the side of the syphon.  I also vacuum around the parts under the stem plants.  I find the 1.5" diameter works best, but it drains my small aquarium pretty quickly.  Be gentle, but don't be afraid to touch your plants with it.

Adam

[loves mayo]

if you have enough plants rooted in the substrate you shouldn't have to use a gravel cleaner.strong growing plants take care of the cleaning.