Nowhere in geckobrains post did I see anything about an attempt to avoid using a gravel vacuum. I appreciate the fact that many of the replies have been in jest but the assumption is inappropriate. A lot of hobbyists (most?) have cleaner fish (detrivores?) and also use gravel cleaning tools. I would suggest that there are a lot of choices that would work (Corydoras and otos included). The tank size is relevant and so are the sizes of all of the other inhabitants.