Sand In Aquarium

[Arktica]

hiya, just wondered peoples advice on how to clean aquariums with sand as the bottom. at the mo i use a gravel vac but im thinkning this would just suck up all the sand. advice pleqase folk

 

[Rooster]

hiya, just wondered peoples advice on how to clean aquariums with sand as the bottom. at the mo i use a gravel vac but im thinkning this would just suck up all the sand. advice pleqase folk

Theres a knack to it... I use a plain syphon, and you soon learn the "right" distance to stay above the sand, a bit always gets binned, but I dont worry... Argos is cheap enough ! lol

If you are a worrier, I would use a drilled rigid pipe - in the end of the main tubing, to reduce the suction.

 

[markandhisfish]

i use a plain syphon too . a length of garden hose. start the syphon the old fashion way and just hold it about 1cm above the sand. like rooster says once you get the hang of it its easy to do . easier than gravel imo

 

[loachman]

As said, just use the tube for cleaning. I use the fat end on a typical gravel vac just to get the siphon going then take it off underwater.

It depends on how much suction your siphon tube gets, but mine is usually held about a 1/2" above the sand.

 

[Arktica]

cheers guys a trip to argos tomorrow as im off work. i also just found the greay thread about changing gravel to sand to i'll walkthrough that step by step and see what its like. i'm not brave enough to go near the tropical tank yet though (after many ups and downs over the last few years its setteled down- dare i say it!) at least the loaches will be happy

edit: im planning on buying 15kg of the argos sand. do you think this is enough for a 3ft tank?

 

[Rooster]

cheers guys a trip to argos tomorrow as im off work. i also just found the greay thread about changing gravel to sand to i'll walkthrough that step by step and see what its like. i'm not brave enough to go near the tropical tank yet though (after many ups and downs over the last few years its setteled down- dare i say it!) at least the loaches will be happy

edit: im planning on buying 15kg of the argos sand. do you think this is enough for a 3ft tank?

I bought 2 bags IIRC for a 4 footer... this was over "eco complete" and ended up with half a bag spare ! But its cheap as chips (stupid quote... chips aint cheap anymore) and you will end up replacing bits now and again.

And dont forget, as long as you dont open the bag, Argos will take it back - so load up !