How do you gravel vac a densely planted tank?

[Barracuda]

Hi, I have seen some beautifully densely planted tanks here on this forum. I would love to get my tank to look like that, but I wonder, how would you gravel vac it sufficiently? It would be an annoyance having to replant each time...I am already having trouble vaccing mine...

[DiscusDave]

Hi,

You generally don't gravel vac a densely planted tank, you just hold the vac a few cm's above the gravel to remove any mulm.

Dave

[Hollowman]

and Dave points out exactly the reason why it is best or preferred to grow out juvenile fish in a bare bottom tank.

[ILLUSN]

i use a gravel vac for the open areas (feeding area) of my planted tanks, i then use a small gravel vac for around the plants but i NEVER vac any deeper than 5mm near the root zone.

[DiscusDave]

and Dave points out exactly the reason why it is best or preferred to grow out juvenile fish in a bare bottom tank.

Yes, planted tanks and discus grow out tanks aren't at all compatible. If you want a planted discus tank, you'll do much better starting with adult discus

[RDavies]

Its an old post but relevant for me. My tank is pretty heavily planted. What is the problem with having smaller discus in a planted tank?

[ILLUSN]

too much organic matter (DOC's), also juviniles need HEAVY feeding 3-4 times a day, it is very hard to remove all the uneaten food in a planted tank