I have a 20xh planted tank. Gravel Vacs can be a pain because to get vac long enough (24") you end up with a 2" tube. Not exactly what you need to "finesse" clean around things without sucking up half the gravel (and fert tabs) or uproot plants. However, it is a constant battle it seems to keep up with bits of plant debris that settle to the bottom. Would corys help clean this up? Or are they mainly "uneaten food" eaters?
will corys eat plant material?
- Thread starter fwfan
- Start date
They typically eat from the substrate. I doubt that they would take care of the plants debris. If you decide to get them, they need to be fed specifically, not just uneaten food.
Unfortunately cories are thought to be cleaners when in fact they rarely eat any any debris that is on the substrate and that alone is not nearly enough for their diet. They still need to be fed.
i agree with jpappy. with plants i just move the gravel vac over the top of the gravel kicking up the dirt and sucking it up.
kj5kb
KEEPER OF CATS, FISH AND CATFISHES
I have a similar problem in my 75G...I find it easier to partially drain the tank and then use a smaller gravel vac once the water level is lower.
I have bronze cories and they don't bother with the planr debris. Same with all the other cories I have seen 
When any dead leaves are lying on the substrate and my vac doesnt pick em up I just go right ahead and scoop em up myself...no harm done, just a wet, smelly arm
You could try a small power head to help blow the debris toward the filter intake. I don't have really deep tanks but I just hover the vac above the surface in planted areas.