Methods for effectively suctioning up coarse sand?

[Philip Chin]

I used a net from bait shop which has a little larger holes than a typical aquarium fish catching net. With this net, I go thru the sand at the bottom of the tank which catches only the larger items and the finer sand falls back to the bottom. It worked very well and almost no mess. Good luck

 

[Mar]

Harbor freight sells a battery operated fuel transfer pump for $12.99. It doesn’t have shop vac power but beats the suck and thumb method.

 

[Dburr1014]

I've used a red solo cup... And filled it up, and had a party.

 

[H@rry]

Disclaimer: I grew up on a farm and once in a while I/we had to remove gas from one piece of equipment to gas up another.

We used to call a siphon hose an "Oklahoma credit card".

 

[Shintaylor]

I'm just a bit skeptical as I've had trouble getting detritus out with mouth induced suction, so I'd be surprised if I were able to successfully suction up small rocks and shells, but I'll give it a shot.

You shouldn’t have to suck the tube to start suction. Look up a video on YouTube. I used to do the same but you don’t need to use your mouth to start it.

 

[Shintaylor]

I've used a red solo cup... And filled it up, and had a party.

Wow so simple! I’ve been making a sand storm trying to use the net!