How to clean with a planted tank

Non puffer freshwater discussion. Don't tell your puffers, they'll be jealous!
Post Reply
Headtrip
Puffer Fry
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:04 am
My Puffers: 14 dwarf puffers housed in a 60 gallon aquarium
Location (country): United States
Location: Galesburg Illinois

How to clean with a planted tank

Post by Headtrip »

Image
M
So now that be got my tank all changed to updated plant capable lighting, drift wood and live plants. How do you get to the substrate to clean it?

I would be moving the plants so much that is likely cause the roots which have spread to be damaged.

Do you just get what's easily accessible and a partial water change or do you go aggressive and move the plants around?

Never had to worry about this with all the man made stuff I've always had in the tank before.
User avatar
pufferjw
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:16 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Duboisi Puffer
Red Congo Puffer
Striped Redeye Puffer
Dwarf Puffer

Have Owned:
Amazon Puffers
Location (country): USA
Location: Boston/Chicago

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by pufferjw »

No need to move the plants, as they get nutrients from the waste in their area. Gravel-vac the open areas and do a ~25 percent WC each week. Most people do a 50 percent, but I've found that it's really not necessary if your tank is an appropriate size.
220 Gallon - 1 Super White Leopoldi Stingray
55 Gallon Planted - No Fish
29 Gallon Planted - 1 Duboisi Puffer
29 Gallon - 1 Red Congo Puffer
User avatar
Welch4
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 698
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:22 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: 1 GSP
Location (country): USA
Location: Abington,MA

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by Welch4 »

+1 to the above no need to gravel vac areas that have roots. 25% wc should be fine if your not using ei ferts.
Forget other advice about puffers you don't hear here - Pufferpunk
Headtrip
Puffer Fry
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:04 am
My Puffers: 14 dwarf puffers housed in a 60 gallon aquarium
Location (country): United States
Location: Galesburg Illinois

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by Headtrip »

That's what I'm doing so glad it's kinda confirmation to not stress about the whole gravel area.
Warhawk
Puffer Fry
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 11:47 am
Location (country): USA
Location: Indiana

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by Warhawk »

I agree with the others I vac up the trash you can easily see and allow the other stuff to become plant food. No reason to move decor around to vac.


I have even left the gravel alone and no vac for months but that is with lightly stocked tanks.
User avatar
freshpuffer1
Puffer Fry
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 9:16 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: A Pea puffer named Puffy, another Pea puffer named Puff, and a Amazon puffer named Cheeto.
Location (country): America, Georgia

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by freshpuffer1 »

I just use a turkey baster and suck some gunk up
Hopefully the helps! :D freshpuffer1
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: How to clean with a planted tank

Post by Pufferpunk »

This thread is from 2016
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Post Reply