Sand

[Sesshis_grl]

Hello

So I have sand in my 10G tank and my question is, how do you clean it? I was told that you can just use a gravel vac like normal but everytime I use it, it either takes it out of my tank and into my bucket or it clogs my gravel vac. Right now my cleaning method is swirling the sand around and then just taking the water out...

any help would be appreciated =)

 

[mbsqw1d]

Hello

So I have sand in my 10G tank and my question is, how do you clean it? I was told that you can just use a gravel vac like normal but everytime I use it, it either takes it out of my tank and into my bucket or it clogs my gravel vac. Right now my cleaning method is swirling the sand around and then just taking the water out...

any help would be appreciated =)

Take the tubing off the end of your gravel vac(gravel vacs dont work on sand as you have discovered!)
once you have a syphon going, gently swirl in a circular motion about half an inch or so above the sand. You sort of coax the crap up away from the sand... I will always end up with a bit of sand in the bottom of my dirty water bucket mind.. takes a bit of practice to be honest.

 

[Biulu]

Just don't put the syphon too close to the sand, move it around above the sand as mb says. There is no need though to take off any part of your syphon.

 

[moochy13]

i find that taking the end off the tube, if possible, means your suction force is concentrated through a smaller openening, giving it greater ability to pull stuff up from the sand. and you can get it in nooks and crannies easier.

 

[the biffster]

leave the cleaner bit
on start the syphon like
normal but if the sand gets
to far up the pipe put your
finger over the end of the pipe
stop the flow let the sand fall back
down the start the flow by letting
finger of the end of the pipe you
can control how fast and slow the
flow is just by using your finger
on the end of the pipe

 

[Dan-CR4]

I just used a bit of hose/tubing, no need for the syphon bit in the end, as some said above, with just the hose/tubing you have more control of a smaller area. I found this easier for me, but as also mentioned above some leave the syphon on, its what ever you think is easier. try both methods and see what you like better.

 

[Sesshis_grl]

Thanks for all the explanation/methods

I've heard the term "hoovering sand" but didn't really know what that meant, thought it was the same thing as siphoning gravel

Thanks again

 

[Aqua Tom]

I agree with above. You dont have to clean the sand itself as the dirt actualy sits on the top rather than in the substrate (like gravel), I will be taking delivery of 10 meters of food grade hose soon so i can use it to clean & syphon directly into my outside drain.

You only have to remeber to agitate the sand with your fingers every so often so as to remove any harmfull gasses that may be trapped in it.

 

[Carlovel1]

I was cleaning my sand yesterday, and I found you need to have to hose quite close to the sand for the dirt to get sucked up and at the end of the water change, at least half a kilo of sand got sucked up
Which is why I like gravel better

 

[Sesshis_grl]

yea I've read about that and seen debates about whether that is true or not. Either way I swirl the sand around to make it look the way I want anyway. I have white sand with some black gravel and it makes a really pretty marine effect =)

Carlovel1 : I hear ya! As pretty as it is..I really wish I had gone with gravel ><!

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others. Sand is just a different skill from gravel and each person has to work out a technique that works for them. One of the most popular methods is with the cylinder off so that your thumb can close and open the business end you are holding underwater. Use your first two fingers to hold the hose and your last two fingers to create a little water movement at the surface of the sand. Then unclamp your thumb and go after the debris.

Another thing to remember is that sand is cheap and it's always handy to have some washed sand left over that you can add after your siphon has taken a little out. Often a little going out doesn't really matter much though.

~~waterdrop~~