How to Gravel vacum around plants?

[Mariachi]

Hi all I was wondering what you guys do when you are cleaning the
gravel around your plants? I want to do it without disturbing the
plants too much but either I don't clean around the plants at all or
else I disturb roots and plant becomes un-planted and has to be
re-positioned.

Is there a correct way of doing this? I have fairly large gravel up to
1/2" in diameter.

Thanks!

[Dick]

On 14 Jan 2006 23:14:38 -0800, "Mariachi" > wrote:

>Hi all I was wondering what you guys do when you are cleaning the
>gravel around your plants? I want to do it without disturbing the
>plants too much but either I don't clean around the plants at all or
>else I disturb roots and plant becomes un-planted and has to be
>re-positioned.
>
>Is there a correct way of doing this? I have fairly large gravel up to
>1/2" in diameter.
>
>Thanks!

I don't even try.

If there is something, like a leaf, that is large enough to see, I
pick it out with a long handled device with a claw at the end. I
bought it from a fish store. If I can't see the debris, well, "Out of
sight, out of mind."

dick

[Flash Wilson]

On 14 Jan 2006 23:14:38 -0800, Mariachi > wrote:
>Hi all I was wondering what you guys do when you are cleaning the
>gravel around your plants?

I don't. When I used to, I would find the gravel around the plants
came up clean.

--
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[NetMax]

"Mariachi" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi all I was wondering what you guys do when you are cleaning the
> gravel around your plants? I want to do it without disturbing the
> plants too much but either I don't clean around the plants at all or
> else I disturb roots and plant becomes un-planted and has to be
> re-positioned.
>
> Is there a correct way of doing this? I have fairly large gravel up to
> 1/2" in diameter.
>
> Thanks!


I usually move towards the plant, progressively going less deep into the
gravel watching to see how much detritus comes up. Depending on the
plant and the condition of the gravel, I leave them a radius of about 2"
undisturbed. Some plants (ie: Swords) tend to throw a lot of their roots
sideways, so they need more undisturbed room (4-5").

In your coarse gravel, you have a situation where you really need to
vacuum (more stuff gets trapped more easily) AND it's easier to upset the
plants (double whammy), so I would try to lightly run the gravel vacuum
under the plant, only causing the top stones to move slightly. This will
hoover what is immediately on top without upsetting the root network.

You can also grade or tier your gravel more aggressively, so most of your
vacuuming is at the front (no plants) and then you can generally leave
the plants at the higher levels mostly alone.

You can also fill all the unplanted areas with plants, and retire the
gravel vacuum ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Koi-lo]

"Mariachi" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hi all I was wondering what you guys do when you are cleaning the
> gravel around your plants? I want to do it without disturbing the
> plants too much but either I don't clean around the plants at all or
> else I disturb roots and plant becomes un-planted and has to be
> re-positioned.
>
> Is there a correct way of doing this? I have fairly large gravel up to
> 1/2" in diameter.
==================================
I do it very carefully with the smallest size gravel vac I could find. I
don't dig it in around the plants, just gently go over the surface, barely
stirring the gravel, and let it pick up what's there. I found this small
narrow one at PetsMart. It's also ideal to use in those small 2 and 5
gallon tanks.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
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~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Mariachi]

Thanks for your advice guys. I was thinking i didn't need to vaccum
around the plants either since they would "eat" most of the stuff but
when I do a lot of crap comes up so I will try the gentle "surface"
vaccum.

[spiral_72]

I use a small gravel vac in my 55 planted...... and just be careful.
The small vac takes much longer, but is much less damaging.