HELP: Best Vacuum For Cleaning Sand

[johnbr]

Hey Guys,

The time came and I need to clean my sand bed. Is there any easy method to vacuum the fish poop and left over food? What's the best and easiest method? My nitrates are still high even after several water changes and a think that this is due the fact that my sand bed is full of crap.

Please show me the best solutions available today. I saw some electric vacuums but I want to leave the sand and just collect the dirt. Is there any chance to do that? Or it doesn't matter what you do you always gonna loose some sand.

Thanks

 

[ndrwater]

Any gravel vac available at your LFS will do the job. They are cheap and easy to use. Basically just a later syphon connected to a smaller hose. Control the sand going up the tube by putting your thumb over the end of the hose..

 

[cmcoker]

I like a long narrow vacuum tube, so i don't have to stick my arm in the tank. I have this and it's a good length for my 21" deep tank. I hold it my the flex tube and pinch and release to control the flow and let the sand fall back down. Also like smaller tubing to not have to take out a ton of water.
If it's the first time you are doing it after a while don't try to do it all in one go, do like a 1/4 of the sand bed every day or so.
https://www.chewy.com/fluval-edge-...o5S-TCJ-V_RVA0PW8IYaAiJ4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[reef lover]

Yup as above anyone will work key is to control the flow so u don't sucks out all the sand. I kinkthe tube with my other hand as I go.

 

[LatinKing]

First of all electric and water means Zap, very dangerous. I have a battery operated..takes too long! All the hose options mention here, will do the job fast and simple just takes a little effort in your part. Check your test kit dates that is not expired, and make sure you have good test kit for accuracy on your levels. You don't want to over water change. Lastly, dont over feed your fish, as much they can consume within a minute. Good luck vacuuming!

 

[Matsu49]

My favorite method to keeping a clean sand bed is to temporarily hook up a canister filter. I'll blow/stir my sand bed and have the filter intake pickup anything that comes up. You can clean more thoroughly this way and not have to worry about a gravel vacuum removing all the water in your tank.

 

[Dave_buffalo]

First of all electric and water means Zap, very dangerous. I have a battery operated..takes too long! All the hose options mention here, will do the job fast and simple just takes a little effort in your part. Check your test kit dates that is not expired, and make sure you have good test kit for accuracy on your levels. You don't want to over water change. Lastly, dont over feed your fish, as much they can consume within a minute. Good luck vacuuming!

Pumps are electric. Heaters are electric. Plastic does not conduct electricity. There should be no danger or zap. I just cannot imagine gravity/siphon or Batteries being as powerful as an electric siphon.