Best way to vacuum dirt substrate with live plants?

[Kyle E.]

Not seeing loaches for up to years is completely normal. They have self confidence issues.

 

[ClownLurch]

Those pythons are very powerful when emptying a tank. First time I tried it I didn’t put a ripped up stocking on the end and a guppy was sucked all the way to the tap. It’d be dangerous to use as a vacuum in my opinion.
Great for easy water changes though.

edit: Guppy is fine btw.

 

[clambert122]

Not seeing loaches for up to years is completely normal. They have self confidence issues.

Actually, the biggest problem I keep having is fishing 2-3 of them out of my overflow every morning. Not easy either since its at the bottom of a 4 foot long narrow area. Trying to catch those damn things, even in an area thayts nore more than 8X6, but obstructed, is NOT easy. IF I cant figure out how to keep them out of there, I may just let the damn things live in there.