Cleaning a heavily planted tank

I just try to get what I can once a week before a water change.

I do a trim. Use a net to remove the floating leaves. Using a razor, I'll scrape the glass algae off, then siphon the remaining stuff out. at the same time i will agitate the water above the substrate to kick up the dirt to remove them. Then changew water and fertilise.

I never disturb the gravel if I'm not adding or removing plants. I just siphon the visible dirt and debris with a 1cm diameter tube (the tip of the tube is bent app 45degrees 2cm from the tip for reaching some narrow places). I make the trimming and replanting after I empty 30-40% of the water (which is my weekly water change amount) on WC day. This way it is less messy and easy.

YILDIRIM

For me,I first trim and clean the glass.Then since I had a a sand substrate I would mix up the top layer then vaccum out all the debris.Then I dose ferts depending how much water I changed.HTH