Every day, first thing in the AM, I use a battery operated "vaccuum" to pick up poopies. Then I feed. Then in the PM, I use the vaccuum again. It's like this but a different brand (I forget what, I threw box away.)
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx? ... lyID=6608&
This keeps the tank from getting gunked up. Every week, I attach a hose to said vaccuum in lieu of the little bag holder. I turn on the power, sit at my desk and work, and empty out about 10-25%. Then I attach the hose to my sink and refill (or use pitchers, which is a pain).
Once a month, I empty completely using my battery thing and a hose draining into the sink. Then I refill. Emptying via this vaccuum DOES take a while--like an hour on my 55 gal. tank. But while it is emptying, I take all the fake plants, basking areas etc. out and clean them. While there is still about an inch of water left, I take a vinegary paper towel and rub the insides of the tank. I use the remaining tank water to rinse it, just splashing it. Then I use my vaccuum to siphon it out. Filling it up is a breeze. Takes about 10-15 minutes tops.
And those are my two cents
I like the battery operated thing because you don't have to work to create a siphon with gravity. Granted, I'm on my third in about 8 months, but I think that's because I overuse them. 
