Good sand vac?

[Bombschell]

I have that really fine sand substrate and the sand vac I have is too strong. It sucks up a bucket full of sand along with the water and everything else. Then I have to put the sand back and it makes a huge mess. Any ideas or products that y'all suggest?

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

I usually just hover the gravel vac over the sand at a bit of an angle. You could also pinch the hose to reduce the pressure so you're not sucking up a ton of sand

 

[Bombschell]

Yeah I do that, I was just wondering if there was something I was missing that would work better....lol

 

[takitaj]

Try the Python 2" x 24" & cut it down to fit your tank. The longer it is the less sand goes down the drain. If you have 1/2" tubing you're all set.

 

[Coxey81]

Yeah I do that, I was just wondering if there was something I was missing that would work better....lol

If you are using a siphon system like python you can slow it down by turning the water down at the sink so it's not sucking as hard with the t valve. You can also regulate it with a valve on the handle.

I had the opposite issue. I couldn't get it to pick my sand up at all and pull debris out of the tube (would just float in it).

So I made a vaccum with a wide mouth but only 1 inch solid clear pvc pipe.

 

[Bombschell]

I think i'll just rig up a ball valve so I can adjust the flow on the fly. Lowes here I come I guess

 

[Coxey81]

I think i'll just rig up a ball valve so I can adjust the flow on the fly. Lowes here I come I guess

Good luck, all I found were metal ones for hose thread at lowes... ordered my plastic one on Amazon.

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

Good luck, all I found were metal ones for hose thread at lowes... ordered my plastic one on Amazon.

I have a metal valve on my python after the original plastic one broke, it kicks butt!

 

[Bombschell]

Just have to check the plumbing section where all the PVC stuff is they have bins full of plastic valves and barbs etc...

 

[Coxey81]

Just have to check the plumbing section where all the PVC stuff is they have bins full of plastic valves and barbs etc...

Maybe you'll have more luck than I did.

 

[Coxey81]

I have a metal valve on my python after the original plastic one broke, it kicks butt!

Yeah, but it'll corrode eventually. Most metal and salt don't mix real well.

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

Yeah, but it'll corrode eventually. Most metal and salt don't mix real well.

I use it for my freshwater tanks only, I have a normal gravel vac and buckets that I use for the salty tanks