FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi we have gravel at the mo but are switching to eco complete as we want to create a wow factor planted tank. Question is a niave one but do we vacum eco complete as the substrate is meant to convert waste products into plant food. Or should we leave the areas by the plants but vac the rest?

Cheers

Be gentle around the plant roots, but go ahead and vac the rest.
Most people will hover or only go in a small ammount near the plants (cause of the roots), and do a full vac for the unplanted portions of the tank. This of course will vary from tank to tank based on how planted it is.

^_^
[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."

You can gravel vac all the tank but don't gravel vac around the plants, just to make sure that you don't harm the roots.


http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/s8xi5heh/my_photos
http://www.geocities.com/s8xi5heh/classic_blue.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

carolinedraper
Am I assuming corectly you will be doing a heavly planted tank, with very little spare space. If so it will be practically impossible to do a gravel vac without disturbing the roots of the plants.

What you can do is use a plastic tube as a suction and move it slowly over the surface of the substrate so that you will not disturb any of the substrate.

You can also wave your fingers gently over the Substrate as you go along this will lift the muck up making it easy to syphon out.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW