Gravel Vaccing!

[Lord Fishheart]

What is the best way to do it with a planted tank?

 

[Schmill]

Lightly I believe, just clean off the surface, but do it regularly. I used to deep-clean my gravel, and then realised that probably removing all these 'nutrients' from the area the roots where in wasn't a good idea, (especially as I feed my plants by putting NLB clay balls into the gravel near their bases!) - lol

 

[LauraFrog]

I second that, my tank runs an undergravel so I don't keep the gravel too spotless, I don't bother lifting up the decorations or anything, I just run the gravel vac around them once or twice a week whenever I change the water.

 

[vinylman]

Just dig in to the substrate well away from the plants, skim the surface near them.