Cleaning A Planted Tank With Small Gravel?

[joyboy]

My tank used to not have any plants and the gravel was big pieces so i could just go through and clean the gravel with a water removal python/tube but now ive got new gravel which is very small pieces, almost like sand and there are plants almost everywhere. How do i clean the gravel because if i touch it with the sucker python tube, the gravel will just get sucked in??

 

[Tonyb111111]

My tank used to not have any plants and the gravel was big pieces so i could just go through and clean the gravel with a water removal python/tube but now ive got new gravel which is very small pieces, almost like sand and there are plants almost everywhere. How do i clean the gravel because if i touch it with the sucker python tube, the gravel will just get sucked in??

IMO there are two option open to you. Firstly, you could vacuum the substrate as if it was sand. This involves moving the end of the syphon in small circles about an inch above the surface of the substrate. The muck will pick up but the gravel won't, there is a technique to it and it will come with practice. The second option would be to use a tube/attachment with a larger circumference (on the assumption it is fine gravel and not sand). This will allow you to plunge the end into the substrate, as the vacuum is gentler due to the circumference been bigger. What is the name of the substrate you are using?

 

[joyboy]

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com.au/itm/AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-GRAVEL-BLACK-DIAMOND-6-25KG-BAG-/330706043117?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item4cff9dc0ed

My tank used to not have any plants and the gravel was big pieces so i could just go through and clean the gravel with a water removal python/tube but now ive got new gravel which is very small pieces, almost like sand and there are plants almost everywhere. How do i clean the gravel because if i touch it with the sucker python tube, the gravel will just get sucked in??

IMO there are two option open to you. Firstly, you could vacuum the substrate as if it was sand. This involves moving the end of the syphon in small circles about an inch above the surface of the substrate. The muck will pick up but the gravel won't, there is a technique to it and it will come with practice. The second option would be to use a tube/attachment with a larger circumference (on the assumption it is fine gravel and not sand). This will allow you to plunge the end into the substrate, as the vacuum is gentler due to the circumference been bigger. What is the name of the substrate you are using?

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com.au/itm/AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-GRAVEL-BLACK-DIAMOND-6-25KG-BAG-/330706043117?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item4cff9dc0ed

 

[Tonyb111111]

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com....=item4cff9dc0ed

My tank used to not have any plants and the gravel was big pieces so i could just go through and clean the gravel with a water removal python/tube but now ive got new gravel which is very small pieces, almost like sand and there are plants almost everywhere. How do i clean the gravel because if i touch it with the sucker python tube, the gravel will just get sucked in??

IMO there are two option open to you. Firstly, you could vacuum the substrate as if it was sand. This involves moving the end of the syphon in small circles about an inch above the surface of the substrate. The muck will pick up but the gravel won't, there is a technique to it and it will come with practice. The second option would be to use a tube/attachment with a larger circumference (on the assumption it is fine gravel and not sand). This will allow you to plunge the end into the substrate, as the vacuum is gentler due to the circumference been bigger. What is the name of the substrate you are using?

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com....=item4cff9dc0ed

Looks nice, I would try the above suggestions and see what works for you. Generally speaking, the smaller the particle size, the easier it will be to clean as the muck will tend to stay on the surface rather than falling in between the gaps. This is why a lot of people use sand as a substrate

 

[joyboy]

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com....=item4cff9dc0ed

My tank used to not have any plants and the gravel was big pieces so i could just go through and clean the gravel with a water removal python/tube but now ive got new gravel which is very small pieces, almost like sand and there are plants almost everywhere. How do i clean the gravel because if i touch it with the sucker python tube, the gravel will just get sucked in??

IMO there are two option open to you. Firstly, you could vacuum the substrate as if it was sand. This involves moving the end of the syphon in small circles about an inch above the surface of the substrate. The muck will pick up but the gravel won't, there is a technique to it and it will come with practice. The second option would be to use a tube/attachment with a larger circumference (on the assumption it is fine gravel and not sand). This will allow you to plunge the end into the substrate, as the vacuum is gentler due to the circumference been bigger. What is the name of the substrate you are using?

Its this one here
http/www.ebay.com....=item4cff9dc0ed

Looks nice, I would try the above suggestions and see what works for you. Generally speaking, the smaller the particle size, the easier it will be to clean as the muck will tend to stay on the surface rather than falling in between the gaps. This is why a lot of people use sand as a substrate

Ok thanks ill try those tips tomorrow

 

[OldMan47]

In a heavily planted tank, it is not unusual to merely gravel vac what you can and let the rest go. The plants themselves will make good use of the decaying fish waste but it is unsightly out in open areas.