Good tool to clean sandbed

[saullman]

Just wondering if anyone owns this or has any experience with this? If not, please lead me in the right direction. I currently have a GHA outbreak in my JBJ 45 so I need a tool like this to siphon my sandbed (crushed coral).

 

[Big G]

They work pretty good. For tougher algae take off the large pipe end and attach a toothbrush to the tubing. Brush the rock/glass slowly and the siphon will suck up most of the debris.

 

[saullman]

They work pretty good. For tougher algae take off the large pipe end and attach a toothbrush to the tubing. Brush the rock/glass slowly and the siphon will suck up most of the debris.

Not quite sure what you mean. How are you attaching the toothbrush to the tubing? Is it being taped to the tubing or are u sticking the toothbrush inside the tubing and the force of the siphon holds it there.

 

[Gareth elliott]

You can just tape it right on packaging tap or duct tape usually work. If it is just small particles of food and detritus and not clumps of algae those electric algae gravel vacs also work well. They have small propellers so if sucking up sheets of cyano or similar tend to clog them. What i use since switching to aws.

 

[saullman]

You can just tape it right on packaging tap or duct tape usually work. If it is just small particles of food and detritus and not clumps of algae those electric algae gravel vacs also work well. They have small propellers so if sucking up sheets of cyano or similar tend to clog them. What i use since switching to aws.

Now I understand. Thanks for the help.

 

[jsker]

For a few $$ more I would suggest this one link There is no bucketing. I have had two of these and both have worked great. The first one I had a long time ago and my present I have had for over 2 years

 

[Gareth elliott]

I also like these 3 inverts for sand bed cleaning.

Ceriths(nassarius snails are great too, but get confused for welks often at the lfs so just know the difference)

Fighting conchs

And cucumbers

These do not eat sand microfauna like sea stars or sand spitting fish. Just detritus or the act of them moving keep it stirred.

For the snails 1 per 3 gallons of water. Would start with them as ceriths have the easiest acclimation to a home aquarium of the 3.

 

[Big G]

Not quite sure what you mean. How are you attaching the toothbrush to the tubing? Is it being taped to the tubing or are u sticking the toothbrush inside the tubing and the force of the siphon holds it there.

I use zip ties to attach the toothbrush to the outside of the tubing. And I actually take a heat gun to the toothbrush and bend the brush a bit to enhance the angle so more of the brush surface can work on the glass or rocks. A very soft bristle brush works the best by the way.

 

[SPR1968]

For a few $$ more I would suggest this one link There is no bucketing. I have had two of these and both have worked great. The first one I had a long time ago and my present I have had for over 2 years

+1 @jsker the python works a treat.

I’ve used one for over 2 years and it’s great for getting debris out of my sump or anywhere.

 

[SDK]

Great advice on either version of the Python. They are a proven tool, and I have one that is probably older than many of the forum members lol. They definitely last...

The other good thing about the "no bucket version" posted by Jsker is that you can vary the siphon strength by adusting faucet flow.

Having said that, if your budget is pushing you toward the one you linked, you can control flow by kinking the hose and holding it that way in your off hand...

 

[lapin]

Good Choice Kenny
I love mine

 

[PaulPerger]

The downside to the one that drains into your sink is you have to replace the water you remove while cleaning your sand.

I use the first type linked and I syphon into a filter sock in my sump. After cleaning my sand, I remove the dirty filter sock and all the detritus removed without losing one drop of water from my system.

 

[LVE]

I've used a python for as long as I can remember, very handy tool to have on hand

 

[jda]

Don't do all of your sand at once. Split it up and allow the microfauna to establish themselves again where you just vacuumed.

Most sand cleaners will not be happy on "crushed coral." Make sure that the size is good for them. If you can have them, conchs and cucumbers are great for keeping sand clean. Pincushion Urchins are great at cleaning rocks. You can get any of these from the Florida Keys from places like reeftopia.

I like me a python, but you can get better suction just going into a bucket. Probably not a huge deal, but you can also pour out the water leaving the nasty junk in the bottom of the bucket and not have to worry about it clogging your trap.

 

[YankeeTankee]

I also like these 3 inverts for sand bed cleaning.

Ceriths(nassarius snails are great too, but get confused for welks often at the lfs so just know the difference)

Fighting conchs

And cucumbers

These do not eat sand microfauna like sea stars or sand spitting fish. Just detritus or the act of them moving keep it stirred.

For the snails 1 per 3 gallons of water. Would start with them as ceriths have the easiest acclimation to a home aquarium of the 3.

Do you have a tiger cucumber or the pink/black type? Do you find the sift and clean detritus from sand well? Will they eat algae in your experience?

 

[jda]

I have found the gold/yellow colored ones from the Florida Keys to be hardy, effective and long lived. The conchs from there have been too.

 

[Jimbo662]

The downside to the one that drains into your sink is you have to replace the water you remove while cleaning your sand.

I use the first type linked and I syphon into a filter sock in my sump. After cleaning my sand, I remove the dirty filter sock and all the detritus removed without losing one drop of water from my system.

I do the same thing!