Gravel Vaccing

[Miss Wiggle]

really struggling vaccing my new tank.... not sure if it's cos of the size of the fish or the sand substrate, bit of both probably.

first time i've used sand as a substrate, don't seem to be able to get enough suction to get the bigger bits up, also end up sucking up shed loads of sand too. Doesn't help that I have to stand on a stepladder to reach in I don't think!

are different makes of gravel vac's better than others, you can get mechanical/electrical ones too can't you, are they any good?

anyone got any suggestions to make it easier and more effective?

 

[jayjay]

to stop sucking up sand you need to have the vac a few inches above the sand and sort of wave it in the tank to move debris.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

finding it really hard striking a balance, if i have it high enough to not pick up sand, it doesn't pick up the fishy poo either so is basically just siphoning the water

 

[shaunza2010]

I just suck up the sand then after you finished vac just pour the dirty water out (the sand will stay in the bottom of bucket) then full the bucket back up with clean water and your aquasafe then just add the water and sand slowly, then what ever sand is left just wash down the toilet not down the sink as it will lye at the bottom of your u bend a block the pipe up

 

[SamUK]

i have the same trouble in my cichlid tank.


i find if you make a circular motion with the end of the vac a few cms above the sand then the poop does get sucked up before the sand does.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

cool, i'll try that ta! oh I love talking to strangers about poo