Hmm…Interesting. I think you’re doing something wrong. You generally don’t have to replace the substrate in an aquascape very often, if at all. It’s more about regular maintenance.

Here, this is what I do, and my tank is around 4 years old and it’s still in pretty good shape.

1. Regular water changes to keep the waste levels down.
2. Vacuum the substrate during water changes to remove debris and excess waste.
3. Use root tabs for heavy root feeders to ensure they get enough nutrients without overloading the water column.

If you’re seeing excessive buildup, you might be overfeeding or have an overstocked tank.