Python Gravel Siphon

[Bullrock74]

I used to have some crappy gravel substrate that had sharp edges to it and finally decided to put play-sand in the aquarium and remove the gravel. But, my Python gravel siphon doesn't seem to have enough power to pick up the fish waste off the sand unless I hold the siphon on the bottom of the aquarium for about five to ten seconds. But, then the sand is being vacuumed out as well as fish waste and water. Would another gravel siphon be better for a sandy substrate? Please help me.

95 Gallon Quarter Cylinder Aquarium (up and running for about 13 months)
One 400 gph Emporer power filter

One 9" Red Oscar
One 4"male Convict Cichlid
About fifteen baby cichlids too young to tell sex which I hoped the Oscar would eat but he won't
One 3" Red-finned shark (I refuse to call it rainbow)
One 4" male Silver Dollar
One 3" male Three-Spot Gourami
One 5" non-common Pleco

 

[tttnjfttt]

hmmm. that is interesting. I also have play sand in my tan ad use a python and I have noticed the same thing. The only suggestion I can really say is when you have a bunch of poop in the python, i take my free hand, cover the opening, then turn it upside down. I also found having the water on warm makes a big difference too as it comes out of the tap faster.

 

[Bullrock74]

Thanks for responding...I'll try the turn upside down while covering the end trick...sounds like that would work. Thanks again.

I used to have some crappy gravel substrate that had sharp edges to it and finally decided to put play-sand in the aquarium and remove the gravel. But, my Python gravel siphon doesn't seem to have enough power to pick up the fish waste off the sand unless I hold the siphon on the bottom of the aquarium for about five to ten seconds. But, then the sand is being vacuumed out as well as fish waste and water. Would another gravel siphon be better for a sandy substrate? Please help me.

95 Gallon Quarter Cylinder Aquarium (up and running for about 13 months)
One 400 gph Emporer power filter

One 9" Red Oscar
One 4"male Convict Cichlid
About fifteen baby cichlids too young to tell sex which I hoped the Oscar would eat but he won't
One 3" Red-finned shark (I refuse to call it rainbow)
One 4" male Silver Dollar
One 3" male Three-Spot Gourami
One 5" non-common Pleco

 

[Iron Man]

You can also try taking off the gravel vacuum attachment on the end and just wave the end of the small hose over the sand/poop gently. I've heard this works. Haven't done it myself as I've developed a nack for just doing the same with the gravel vac attachment. I might get a little sand every now and then but that really doesn't make much of a difference.

Good luck.

 

[dthoffsett]

Well, I know it probably sounds like extra work and a pain in the butt to boot. But, I clean my sand well every two weeks by using a regular siphon into a bucket and then use the python to empty the bucket saving my back stome strain. It also gives me the chance to rinse out my filter cartridge and the biowheel from my HOB. I've heard from several people that the python doesn't siphon well even with gravel. However, I wouldn't give it up for the world.

 

[Bullrock74]

The Python works well when you use it the way the instructions say to...hold the end of the vacuum on the bottom of the tank until the water in the vacuum clears. This works well for dense substrates like gravel, but less dense subtrates like sand will sucked out the tank along with the unwanted debris. Turning on the hot water as well as the cold water does help significantly, though. I may have to go back to a regular siphon and bucket, but that's a lot of work for a 95 gallon tank.

 

[Sheridanp]

I have a question. Can I just take a normal fishtank vacuum and do the same thing?Also, can I swirl it around just above the sand?

 

[Iron Man]

If you have sand you have it so much easier than with gravel. The poop and debris doesn't go into the sand like it would the gravel, it just sits there on top.

What usually gets on top is so light, as a result it doesn't take much suction power to clean up. You do have to get a feel for being able to swirl it over the sand to where you suck up the waste and debris but not a lot of sand....but its not difficult at all. It hasn't been for me anyway.

 

[onemisterchristian]

I'm not sure if you have tried this but turn your water on harder. The faster the water is running through the python, then the faster it is going to be syphoning. I use my regular garden hose to power my python and just sort of swirl it over the poop in a circular motion to stir it up first. Gets everything. And quick too.

 

[SherriSixxx]

If you have big fish that do a bit bigger poo-poo, a turkey baster works wonders! Sooo easy