"al" wrote in message news:

I would like ideas on how you folks gravel vac heavily planted tanks or
those with large rock piles etc

You can always fire up a diatom filter and leave it running all day.

If you suck half the water out first, it will work better.

You can use a high pressure water jet (from sump return, powerhead, etc.)
to periodically "blow" debris out of tight spots and it will get sucked up
by the diatom filter.

I wouldn't recommend sucking up the gravel to clean it in a well-established,
successful planted tank.

JLD