Cleaning Substrate in a Planted Tank

[turtleman]

I have a new 70 gal fw planted tank. Just finished it's second week of cycling (with about 18 small fish). Incidentally, the NH3, NO2, & NO3 are all zero. I'm also new to the hobby (first aquarium). I'm leaning toward the teachings of Diana Walstad's book "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist". I'm not using soil from the back yard, however I am using an equal mix of Flourite and Eco-Complete. I have read other threads from people using Eco-Complete that they do not clean with vacuum deep into the substrate. They move the vacuum lightly over the top without disturbing the substrate. According to Diana, she never vacuums and does water changes very infrequently when everything is in balance (when she's not working on a problem or setting up a new tank). Not wanting to start a thread to debate Diana's methods!!!

If my goal is to not intervene any more that necessary (i.e. vacuum bottom of tank as little as possible or never), what would be the signs that I need to clean it better or more often? What's going to go wrong that should tell me "Oh, I need to vacuum the tank"! Bear in mind, I have and intend to maintain a heavily planted tank (but without fert regimes and CO2). If I fail, I fail, but I'm not going to go down that road until I find out that the low maintenance methods won't work. Actually, Diana has already demonstrated that it will work, I just may not be able to learn how to do it without pull my last hair out.

[mralgae]

To be honest you are ahead of me in the reading of Diana’s book, I have only read 2 or 3 pages so far LOL
Although the book has been available for some years it seems to be only just coming in to its own right. There seems to be a gentle turning of the tables at present wher ewe ame form many years ago then went all high techno it is now heading back to where it all started from many years ago, back to basics. When you look back there was no high lights ferts eco complete etc etc etc and there were then some fantastic planted tanks about. I haven’t looked fully into the book and why it works but over the time I have been back in the hobby only last years some were saying low tech was a thing of the past and we need to move on, but Diana has changed all that in so much some people are having to start to eat their own words as what she has proven to be a valuable addition to the planted tank world.
Back to your Q when will know when it is wrong? The plants and fish will tell you when something is wrong. Plus you have the advantage of water test kits to make 100% sure. When something is wrong in the tank plants will wilt, grow algae, get holes in the leaves and many more signs. As will the fish, they will be less energetic, show signs of illness (white spot, fungus etc) not eat a normal and again many other signs of distress. It all about getting to know the plants and fish you keep.low tech tanks is where it all began and is where it could possibly end back up.