Hardcore Tank cleaning?

Waverider

I want my own ocean
Is it a good idea to take out you fake plants occasionally and clean them off? The beneficial bacteria don't live on these correct?

I am having quite a pest snail issue and I figured the only way to get a handle on them is to take as much out as possible and gravel vac everything. Is this a good idea? I do bi-weekly water changes and test often, but there are some area of the tank that I can't reach with the vac since plants are in the way. I figure there must be a ton of food debris under them.

Is this a good idea?
 
Yes, keeping a cleaner tank will help rid you of some snails. Be careful your not overfeeding, this will allow them to multiply like crazy. If your tank is clean, it will be able to support only a few snails, and not hundreds.
 
The bacteria grows every where, but mostly on the filter and gravel, so I see no reason why you couldn't take out all the decor to do a cleaning, except for stressing the fish out.
 
What is the best way to calm fish down after something like this? Would a little salt help? I am not a fan of chemicals at all!!
 
Leave them be, and aquarium salt will make it worse. Covering the tank with a blanket and keeping the light off for a while will help them deal with it all.
 
Right on! Thanks Guys. That is why I love this site.
 
Here's what someone else told me on this site (sorry, don't remember who):

Throw a piece of lettuce in the tank overnight and it will be covered with snails in the morning - then just toss it out, flush it, whatever. Keep doing it and it will cut the snail population down.
 
webcricket said:
Here's what someone else told me on this site (sorry, don't remember who):

Throw a piece of lettuce in the tank overnight and it will be covered with snails in the morning - then just toss it out, flush it, whatever. Keep doing it and it will cut the snail population down.

Has this worked for anyone else?
 
Veggies worked for me!
 
AquariaCentral.com