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Mkay... heavily planted tanks, really rocky tanks, etc... how the crap do you vacuum the gravel?! I keep sucking up my plants on accident...and what about glosso carpets and whatnot? How would you vacuum tht?

i just don't go too far down when i get near the plants. that way i'm not bothering the roots and the plants never get sucked up into the gravel vac. in fact, i don't go very far under the surface unless i *know* there's no plants there

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

Hi,
Generally speaking, the answer to your question is,
You Don't. Usually the filter returns are set below
the surface and provide enough current to keep most of
the detritus floating and available to be drawn up into
the filter intakes. You can wave the intake head of
the Python syphon around over the plants or fan your
hand over the plants to stir up anything that has settled,
but a tank with a mat, or that heavily planted can't have
the gravel vacuumed without developing the problems you
mentioned.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--