What do you vacuum your sand with?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What do you vacuum your sand with?

Looking to get more serious about keeping my sand clean and looking for the best equipment for the job!

 

[Reefing Madness]

I don't vacuum my sand, but give it a wave off when Im in there cleaning the glass.

 

[ritter6788]

I used one of those gravel vacs you can find at about any pet store. Of course I don't have sand anymore but when I did that's what I used.

 

[Tahoe61]

I used one of those gravel vacs you can find at about any pet store. Of course I don't have sand anymore but when I did that's what I used.

Yes, me too, the kind intended for FW I believe. So frustrating when a piece of rock or dead coral gets jammed in the connection. It does the job very well though, the container is full of muddy water when I am finished. I might have been better off not knowing how much detritus a sand bed collects.

 

[mfinn]

I use the gravel vac that came with my python hose.

 

[jayhawk]

I modified a normal siphon hose with a plastic basting brush tip. I found a plastic basting brush at the local Bed Bath and Beyond. It has to be thick enough to cut a hole in the center. Take an exacto knife and start cutting. Make the hole smaller than the diameter of the rigid siphon tube (it fits more snug that way). I trimmed the basting bristles to about 3/4 inch. It makes it easier to disturb the sand. I start my siphon and use my thump to stop the flow. I agitate the sand with the bristles, lift the bristles slightly above the sand line and take my thump off to siphon the debris. The bristle prevent shells and larger debris from clogging the line. One word of caution; if you do not normally agitate your sand, you may cause a nitrate and phosphate spike. Disturbing a mature sand bed holds a lot of bad stuff. I have always cleaned my tank this way and do not experience ill effects.

 

[sawdonkey]

I also just use the simple gravel vac. However, I vacuum my sand (aragonite) at least once per week. I just put a filter sock in my sump and put the end of the hose in the sock. This lets you really vacuum your gravel/sand well without having to do a water change. You won't believe how much stuff the sock catches.

I didn't know this trick for my first ten years in the hobby and cannot believe I never thought of it until someone mentioned it to me.

 

[CSJIII]

That is genius!!!!!

I also just use the simple gravel vac. However, I vacuum my sand (aragonite) at least once per week. I just put a filter sock in my sump and put the end of the hose in the sock. This lets you really vacuum your gravel/sand well without having to do a water change. You won't believe how much stuff the sock catches.

I didn't know this trick for my first ten years in the hobby and cannot believe I never thought of it until someone mentioned it to me.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great ideas!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I modified a normal siphon hose with a plastic basting brush tip. I found a plastic basting brush at the local Bed Bath and Beyond. It has to be thick enough to cut a hole in the center. Take an exacto knife and start cutting. Make the hole smaller than the diameter of the rigid siphon tube (it fits more snug that way). I trimmed the basting bristles to about 3/4 inch. It makes it easier to disturb the sand. I start my siphon and use my thump to stop the flow. I agitate the sand with the bristles, lift the bristles slightly above the sand line and take my thump off to siphon the debris. The bristle prevent shells and larger debris from clogging the line. One word of caution; if you do not normally agitate your sand, you may cause a nitrate and phosphate spike. Disturbing a mature sand bed holds a lot of bad stuff. I have always cleaned my tank this way and do not experience ill effects.

Any photos? Sounds neat!

 

[Premmas]

I am using the same as Sawdonkey. To vacuum the sand and also the rocks.

 

[SaltyVixen]

i always found it too difficult to vacuum sand, but these are some great new ideas!

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I use a vacuum cleaner.

Rev...I truly believe you asked this question just to start a topic.

 

[WindeyD]

Two words: fighting conch, keeps my sandbed clean and free of detritus!

 

[TJ's Reef]

Originally I used the method that 'sawdonkey' describes ^above^ after adapting it from my use on my Discus tanks back in the day. Now or for past 7-8 years have gone the 'Natural' way and have my sand Bed CUC do the work, currently a Sea Cucumber, sand Sifting Stars and Nasarius Snails mainly.

Cheers, Todd

 

[morgan175]

Two words: fighting conch, keeps my sandbed clean and free of detritus!

You are lucky mine does not move unless I dig him out. 3 months in one spot. I don't understand.

 

[MacKrell]

I use the algae mover vaccum, picked one up on eBay. Also is and easy way to siphon water during water changes. Works well for me!

 

[WindeyD]

Nor do I, mine is possibly the most active critter in my tank

 

[zoanthid26]

I don't vacuum my sandbed at all. I find when you disturb the sandbed too deep not only are you killing of a ton of beneficial bacteria and siphoning it out, but you are also releasing pockets of organic waste into your water column. I don't recommend this at all, if your sand is dirty find something that will naturally clean it up. I prefer sandsifting starfish, however if you have pristine water quality and the tank is not cycling you shouldnt have dirty sand.

 

[jayhawk]

Any photos? Sounds neat!

Here are a few pic's.