OK! So now I've reached the end of my first week and the water params are all fine - 0 amm/nit and @ 40 n'ate. So I'm thinking it's time to suck up all the poop and do a w/change.
Now this will be the first time I've vac'd with the fish in the tank and I'm terrified to suck one up the vacuum; especially, as I've been feeding them through a long tube aimed at a feeding dish - they get so excited they swim up the tube....
So, can I herd them into a plastic bag and float them while I vac? - or put them in a bucket with tank water and an airstone? - or will it be too stressful - or what do you all think is best?

i usually just leave them in the tank... just be careful and pay attention to what you are doing.

I leave my fish in the tank also. I'm just very careful to watch them. This isn't hard to do since they're usually swimming all around my hand. They think I'm going to feed them.

Definately leave them in the tank.As mentioned it just takes some watching on your part,and never leave it unattended for sure. If you are still quite concerned,you can cover most of it with your hand and let it pull up smaller amounts,or even cover the end with pantyhose-although that does limit the size of waste that it will pick up.Honestly,if you pay attention,you'll do fine.

i remember there being a previous thread about this... i think someone also mentioned putting in a tank divider with their fish on one side... so they could leave the vac unattended on the other. just make sure the python is secured otherwise water will spill everywhere if it falls out of the tank.

but IMO... i wouldn't leave my tank unattended with a python either... i'm very forgetful, and who knows... i just might suck out all the water.

I also leave my fish in the tank while cleaning. Like everyone else said just be watchful and don't leave the tank unattended and you'll do fine.

Yep always keep your eyes on the fish and start the syphon somewhere away from them. If you have more than one fish you have no choice but to become a chameleon