In article .com,
says...
Question: can you gravel vac using a Python-type cleaner, if you have
Eco-Complete and/or sand as substrate? I am interested in converting
to a planted tank, but my 50-G bowfront seems quite stable and "happy"
with the larger gravel, plastic plants, and using my Python every week
to clean the gunk with 25% water changes. I've never had a good handle
on how one cleans a planted tank . . .

How? I don't. Well, my cory cats and otos do :-). I do clip a few
dead leaves from time to time and remove a little algae occasionally.

Stuff doesn't filter down into sand and fine gravel the way it does to
the pet store stuff.

Note that this is advice from a relative newbie - YMMV.


--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description