The short answer is yes, you do need to vacuum heavily planted aquariums, but not as often or as thoroughly as you would vacuum a non-planted tank. Vacuuming is essential to remove excess organic matter, such as fish waste, uneaten food, and dead plant leaves, from the substrate. This prevents the buildup of harmful ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, which can affect the water quality and the health of your fish and plants.
However, vacuuming a heavily planted aquarium is not as simple as vacuuming a non-planted one. There are some factors that you need to consider before you start siphoning the gravel, such as the type of plants, the type of substrate, the amount of debris, and the frequency of water changes. In this article, we will explain why and how you should vacuum your heavily planted aquarium, and provide some tips and tricks to make the process easier and more effective.
You may wonder why you need to vacuum a heavily planted aquarium at all, since plants are supposed to absorb nutrients from the water and the substrate, and act as natural filters. While this is true, plants cannot consume all the organic matter that accumulates in the tank, especially if you have a high bioload (the amount of living organisms in the tank) or overfeed your fish. Excess organic matter can decompose and release ammonia, which is toxic to fish and plants. Ammonia is converted to nitrite and then to nitrate by beneficial bacteria, but these compounds can also be harmful in high concentrations. Vacuuming the substrate regularly can help remove the source of these pollutants and keep the water parameters stable.
Another reason to vacuum a heavily planted aquarium is to prevent algae growth. Algae are microscopic plants that can grow rapidly in nutrient-rich water and compete with your plants for light and resources. Algae can also make your tank look unsightly and reduce the visibility of your fish and plants. Vacuuming the substrate can help reduce the amount of nutrients available for algae, and also remove any algae that may have attached to the gravel or the plant roots.
Vacuuming a heavily planted aquarium requires some care and caution, as you do not want to damage or uproot your plants, or disturb the beneficial bacteria that live in the substrate. Here are some steps that you can follow to vacuum your heavily planted aquarium safely and effectively:
Choose the right equipment. You will need a gravel vacuum or a siphon hose with a gravel tube attachment. The size of the gravel tube should match the size of your tank and the size of your gravel. A smaller tube will allow you to reach the spaces between the plants more easily, but it will also take longer to vacuum the whole tank. A larger tube will be faster, but it may also suck up more water and debris than you want. You will also need a bucket or a container to collect the dirty water, and a towel or a cloth to wipe any spills.
Turn off the filter and the heater. This will prevent the water from circulating and stirring up the debris, and also protect your equipment from overheating or running dry. You can also turn off the lights to reduce the stress on your fish and plants.
Start from the front and work your way to the back. Insert the gravel tube into the substrate and gently move it around to suck up the debris. Do not push the tube too deep into the gravel, as you may damage the plant roots or disturb the beneficial bacteria. You can also use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to gently lift the plant leaves and stems to access the substrate underneath. Avoid vacuuming the areas where you have rooted plants, such as swords, crypts, or vals, as you may uproot them or damage their root systems. You can also skip the areas where you have carpeting plants, such as mosses, dwarf hairgrass, or Monte Carlo, as they form a dense mat that prevents debris from reaching the substrate. Focus on the areas where you have floating plants, stem plants, or rhizome plants, such as ferns, anubias, or bucephalandra, as they tend to shed more leaves and collect more debris.
Do not vacuum more than 25% of the substrate at a time. Vacuuming too much of the substrate can cause a sudden drop in the water parameters, as you are removing a large amount of organic matter and beneficial bacteria. This can shock your fish and plants and cause them to stress or die. Vacuuming too little of the substrate can also be problematic, as you are leaving behind too much organic matter and nutrients, which can fuel algae growth and water pollution. A good rule of thumb is to vacuum about 25% of the substrate every week, or every other week, depending on the bioload and the amount of debris in your tank.
Do not remove more than 25% of the water at a time. Vacuuming the substrate will also remove some of the water from your tank, which you will need to replace with fresh, dechlorinated water. However, you should not remove more than 25% of the water at a time, as this can also cause a sudden change in the water parameters, such as temperature, pH, hardness, and salinity. This can also shock your fish and plants and cause them to stress or die. A good rule of thumb is to remove about 25% of the water every week, or every other week, depending on the water quality and the frequency of water changes in your tank.
Turn on the filter and the heater. After you have finished vacuuming the substrate and replacing the water, you can turn on the filter and the heater again. This will restore the water circulation and the temperature in your tank. You can also turn on the lights again, or wait until the next day if you vacuumed your tank in the evening.
Tips and Tricks for Vacuuming a Heavily Planted Aquarium
Here are some tips and tricks that can help you vacuum your heavily planted aquarium more easily and effectively:
Use a gravel vacuum with a valve or a clamp. This will allow you to control the flow of the water and the debris, and prevent the gravel tube from clogging or overflowing. You can also use a gravel vacuum with a mesh or a sponge filter at the end of the tube, to prevent small gravel, sand, or plant matter from being sucked up.
Use a turkey baster or a pipette to spot clean. If you have some hard-to-reach areas or some delicate plants that you do not want to disturb with the gravel tube, you can use a turkey baster or a pipette to suck up the debris manually. This can also help you remove any algae or snail eggs that may have attached to the plant leaves or the glass.
Use a plant fertilizer or a root tab. Vacuuming the substrate can also remove some of the nutrients that your plants need to grow and thrive. To replenish the nutrients and boost the plant growth, you can use a liquid or a granular plant fertilizer, or a root tab, that you can add to the water or insert into the substrate. However, you should not overdo it, as too much fertilizer can also cause algae growth and water pollution. Follow the instructions on the product label and monitor the water parameters regularly.
Prune your plants regularly. Pruning your plants can help them grow healthier and bushier, and also prevent them from overgrowing and shading each other. Pruning can also help you remove any dead, dying, or diseased plant parts, which can decompose and pollute the water. You can use a pair of scissors or a razor blade to cut the plant stems, leaves, or rhizomes, and remove them from the tank. You can also replant the cuttings to propagate your plants or create new aquascapes.
Vacuuming a heavily planted aquarium is a necessary and beneficial task that can help you maintain a clean, healthy, and beautiful tank. However, it is not as easy as vacuuming a non-planted tank, as you need to consider the type of plants, the type of substrate, the amount of debris, and the frequency of water changes. By following the steps and tips that we have provided in this article, you can vacuum your heavily planted aquarium safely and effectively, and enjoy the rewards of having a lush and vibrant aquatic garden.
