Scraper with hose attached to clean barebottom?

[exnisstech]

I need to clean the bottom of one of my tanks. It's bare bottom with a 84x30" footprint so scraping the bottom with my syphon hose like I do smaller tanks isn't cutting it. Does anyone know of type of scraper that could be attached to a syphon hose to suck the stuff out as I scrape during water changes? Even DIY but I'm not coming up with any ideas.
This is what I'm trying to remove. Ya I know I should have thought about it sooner

 

[Tamberav]

Zip tie a hose to a long scraper?

Seems like something someone could 3d print.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks. I have a long scraper so will give the zip ties a try.
Maybe someone with a 3D printer will come up with something.

Zip tie a hose to a long scraper?

Seems like something someone could 3d print.

 

[splunty]

Zip tie a hose to a long scraper?

Seems like something someone could 3d print.

I tried this when my little nano was FOWLR bare bottom. It just didn't work because there was no way to get the hose where it needed to go without constantly smashing into the tank walls, rocks, etc.

What I wound up doing was a 4-step process:

1) I attached a siphon hose to a long plastic rod
2) I grabbed both the siphon and scraper with the same hand
3) I scraped away while holding both then occasionally held the scraper with off-hand while siphoning more precisely
4) I got super angry and put 1" of sand in the bottom

 

[exnisstech]

I tried this when my little nano was FOWLR bare bottom. It just didn't work because there was no way to get the hose where it needed to go without constantly smashing into the tank walls, rocks, etc.

What I wound up doing was a 4-step process:

1) I attached a siphon hose to a long plastic rod
2) I grabbed both the siphon and scraper with the same hand
3) I scraped away while holding both then occasionally held the scraper with off-hand while siphoning more precisely
4) I got super angry and put 1" of sand in the bottom

Laughing at your anger comment. I have the patience of a gnat.
I like the look of sand but I can never keep it looking clean so it looks worse than a dirty bare bottom lol.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

I found the best way to do this is to use an appropriately sized length of hard pipe (I used PVC) connected to your soft siphon hose. Cut an angled slot at the end of the hard pipe so you can insert a scraper (I used a surfboard wax comb). Worked great when I had a BB system. Hope that makes sense.

 

[danreef55]

how about this with an extended handle. You show be able to zip tie to this. There are holes in the handle. Yes it would rust but use it to get the big job done and toss it.

 

[exnisstech]

Did a quick diy with the blade from an old flipper. The tube is metal I only use it when changing water and it doesn't corrode but I do plan on making something without metal. It worked pretty well. Had to go slow but was able to scrape quite a bit while doing a 28g WC. Figure I'll do a section each time I do a WC. Thanks @CoastalTownLayabout for the idea

 

[RedReefer]

Did a quick diy with the blade from an old flipper. The tube is metal I only use it when changing water and it doesn't corrode but I do plan on making something without metal. It worked pretty well. Had to go slow but was able to scrape quite a bit while doing a 28g WC. Figure I'll do a section each time I do a WC. Thanks @CoastalTownLayabout for the idea

Hey is that copper pipe?

 

[exnisstech]

Hey is that copper pipe?

Not sure what it is exactly but it isn't copper. It has a finish on it that gives it that color but is doesn't corrode so I'm thinking some type of SS. I've been using it for a long time but think I will replace it with pvc or something just to be safe.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Looks good. Half the fun in this hobby is refining your DIY accessories.