Gravel Vacuuming

[sleeby]

As some of you know I started with a 110g with undergravel filter. I am now hybrid with a single canister aiding the ugf. Very soon I will be adding a second canister and removing the ugf.

What should I expect with regards to vacuuming? Currently, I need to clean the heck out if it - moving every rock and plant and vacuuming under them. I see photos of some really nice, planted tanks with a lot of driftwood and rock formations and I have to wonder how they clean the substrate in there; do they need to clean under the rock piles regularly?

With the ugf gone what should I expect to have to do with the gravel? Just light vacuuming of the top and only the exposed areas?

Also, down the line well after the ugf is gone how much of my beneficial bacteria will be in the gravel - none that I really care about?

Thanks for any advice!

[gm72]

In my planted tanks I only vacuum the gravel that is exposed. I vacuum down to the bottom. I do move driftwood and rocks, etc. about every other change to do the same.

[Sharon]

That's basically what I do, although I move decor about once every two months...maybe not enough...

[Northernguy]

Your water perameter tests will be the judge.If you are getting high trite readings than you should remove the decor and vacuum everything.If its just a weekly clean up just get what you can reach.
Thats why you will see a lot of fairly simple tanks here and everywhere.Easy cleaning.
I have a ton of decor in my tanks and it makes it extremely difficult to clean properly,but I don't mind the extra work so much.I like to tinker around the tanks anyway.

[Wild Turkey]

Eco-complete makes it a little less imperative as well. I dont get too close to my substrate, just close enough to pick up some stuff off the top.

That mulm or whatever you like to call it is gold for plants if you can find a balance so you dont get other problems like planaria, or high trates.