Water Changes in Planted Tanks

[Riso-chan]

I have had good luck with my tank so far, and the plants have been taking care of the nitrates, and other water issues very well for the past month or so. I've mainly just been topping off the water that evaporates, and it seems to be fine. I was just wondering if this is okay for planted tanks. Especially in the case of heavily planted ones, what does one do when the gravel is covered in plant growth? Siphoning would do damage, so is topping off decent enough?

 

[tanker]

Especially in the case of heavily planted ones, what does one do when the gravel is covered in plant growth? Siphoning would do damage, so is topping off decent enough?

I have lots of ground cover plants too, but I still siphon. Lots of junk under plants. My siphon is small thought (1/2 inch only). I change water with a pump.

 

[RTR]

I do the same partials in my planted tanks that are done in the FO tanks or larger - 1/3 to 1/2 weekly. Vacumming is needed only above the surface where it can be reached, except when dividing and moving clumps of plants, then I clean up the substrate a bit also.

 

[beviking]

If it really isn't possible to get down there w/o hurting the plants, try using a turkey baster in one hand (to gently stir up stuff from gravel) and the syphon in the other. :idea2: