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[erk628]

Ok a buddy from work told about this tonight so I want to share it with you guys. Here is the best way to clean sand its so amazing and easy you have to try it to see what I mean. I'm sure most of you have a gravel vac, well take off the plastic pipe so all thats left is the tube. So now all you have in your hand is the tube put it in the tank and give a good suck to start the syphon put the tube towards the poo and be amazed how well it sucks it up. It gives off a very good vacume so hover over the sand about 2 inchs. Dang I wish I would of known about this sooner. For those who don't have a gravel vac, don't waste your money just go get a piece of clear hose that will reach to the bottom of the tank to the bucket. Let me know what you guys think after trying this.

 

[xoedusk]

We've been doing the swirling motion that is often suggested. Will definitely try this later and post.

 

[Fishkrazy1]

Wouldn't you lose lots of sand this way? and even if it goes into the bucket, it's still "dirty" sand...

 

[xoedusk]

I think the idea is that the poo goes up but the sand doesn't. Normally, the flow rate into the wide-end of the gravel vac is too slow to do this on its own - which is why swirling is recommended. But if you take the large end off, the flow will increase.

But that's just theory. Would love to hear others' trials with this.


On a similar note, I think the ease of sand maintenance depends on the type of sand. We have mixed play sand and silica sand in our 10 gallon. The silica is constantly getting swirled up and out of the tank, while the play sand stays put.

 

[erk628]

I think the idea is that the poo goes up but the sand doesn't. Normally, the flow rate into the wide-end of the gravel vac is too slow to do this on its own - which is why swirling is recommended. But if you take the large end off, the flow will increase.

But that's just theory. Would love to hear others' trials with this.


On a similar note, I think the ease of sand maintenance depends on the type of sand. We have mixed play sand and silica sand in our 10 gallon. The silica is constantly getting swirled up and out of the tank, while the play sand stays put.

Your theory is correct it increases the suck power alot. The swirl method does not work nothing like just a tube does trust me on this. Also if you keep the tube about 2 inchs above the sand you will not suck up any sandjust poo. I have play sand not sure how it works with other types of sand. If you go to far down with the tube it will suck up sand like the attachement would, but if you stay about 2 inchs above it no sand will be sucked up. The swirl methos does pick it up eventually put dropes it right back in the sand. With using just the tube it sucks it right up and spits it in the bucket. You will find you suck a lot less water also becuase it works so good and fast.

 

[Fishkrazy1]

Nice! Thanks for the great tip, I'm not currently using sand, but will be soon

 

[smmetz]

I will try this on my next water change. I have a problem with the poop from my catfish. Like someone said, it goes in the tube, then comes back out again. I have been getting as much as I can in the tube at one time, then turning the tube up and taking it out of the tank. It all drains into the bucket, then I have to start the syphon again. It gets annoying cleaning the tank that way.

 

[Yetti]

I have been doing this for about a year now. I would have never guess that most of you guys would syphon the gravel using the big tubular attachment.

 

[stang1]

I use this method to clean out my tank too. I found it a lot more effective than using just the gravel vac.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah i always do this, makes life easier for sure!

 

[Griz]

This has worked for me for a few years now. The distance from the sand needs to be found by trial and error. 1-2 inches depending on the diameter of the tubing. Moving the end to help stir up the crud a bit does help.

edit: Also, after 3 years of using this method pretty much weekly I haven't lost much sand at all. It's inevitable that you will siphon out a little bit but for me, it hasn't added up to very much.

 

[angelmouse]

yep i been doing this method too. ii think it works better than other methods. i do sometimes suck up some sand and just give it a rinse and plonk it back in again. Angel