How do I gravel vac a planted (substrate) aquarium??

Question

For people who have planted aquariums, how do you gravel vac 'em?

Also, I am thinking about getting substrate (like the dirt-sand stuff from Petsmart). Is it even possible to gravel vac a "subsrated" aquarium??

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer this!!

Answer 1

ok, we'll hypothetically say you have a 40 gallon aquarium...

To vacuum this out, you will want a 20 gallon siphon powered vacuum, the smaller size will reduce the suction capacity of the vacuum itself, pulling up less sand substrate. - simply idea.

Next, while you're doing the actual vacuuming, don't make contact with the sand, try to hold the vacuum above the sand level by about 1/2", if the vacuum is still sucking loads of sand out, hold it a little higher. The sand should be rising into the bell attachment of the siphon, and about 3/4 of the way to the top, you should see it tumble back down to the aquarium, if you contact the sand with the vacuum, you'll haul up a monster load, and you'll have a mess to clean up in order to get the sand back into your tank.

Summary:

Use a smaller vacuum, and hold it slightly above your sand level, if there is a "lot " of sediment, feel free to turn over some sand to bring more sediment to the top, if you vaccume every 3 weeks to a fair sized tank, you shouldnt ever have to turn over sand, as its a wicked biological filter, turning it over is the last thing we want to do, as it helps to be filthy "in" the sand... just not "on" the sand.

Answer 2

I have 4 planted tanks, and I have not gravel vac'd them in years.  If they tank is planted well enough, the waste gets absorbed by the plants.  Note: this does not negate the need for water changes.  I perform 50% weekly water changes in all my planted tanks.