Substrate cleaning

[Mark12345]

Having never really kept a planted tank before, I was wondering how you go about cleaning the substrate without uprooting and dislodging the plants. Also when doing water changes, what do you do about getting the temperature the same as in the tank, at the moment I’m just mixing some warm water in the bucket, but this is quite a long winded affair.
Thanks for any advice
Mark

 

[seedoubleyou]

Turkey baster / pipette for stirring up detritus and crap.
Heater for heating new water, or use a thermometer if you have a mixer tap.

 

[Mark12345]

Thank you, just ordered a turkey baster.