Water Changes With Sand Substrate

how do people handle using a normal vacuum or (python vacuum with sand while tied to your tap/sink)? I just realized today when doing a water change, that I sucked up a ton of sand. and its sitting in my sink(because my water got shut off mid way) I use sand because I have corI fish and I don't want to hurt them. does anyone have any good methods with vacuuming with a sand substrate?

 

Just don't have the intake so close to the substrate. If you want to clean the substrate a bit then stir the sand up beforehand then suck out the cloudy water. Otherwise just hover over the sand to clean up whatever sits on top.

 

Just don't have the intake so close to the substrate. If you want to clean the substrate a bit then stir the sand up beforehand then suck out the cloudy water. Otherwise just hover over the sand to clean up whatever sits on top.

thatts a good idea. thanks. glad I had extra. lots of sand died today

 

I was worried about this as well. What size vaccum(tube) are you using?

I'm going old school and just siphoning down to a 5 gallon bucket, the vacuum is strong enough to get poop but the 99% of the sand and the larger chunks of debrI fall back out.

 

I just vacuum like normal, but I keep my thumb over the end of the hose to stop water to allow the sand to fall back out. You can also pinch the tubing.

Additionally you can use a rubber band and a chop stick or something of the like to stir up the sand and kick debris loose and hover the siphon over the sand to suck up any muck.

 

I was worried about this as well. What size vaccum(tube) are you using?

I'm going old school and just siphoning down to a 5 gallon bucket, the vacuum is strong enough to get poop but the 99% of the sand and the larger chunks of debrI fall back out.

the standard size I guess. about a foot? also whatever the python standard is. usually I skI'm the surface. but today I was dumb and decided to go for deep cleans and try to let the sand fall out. it got sucked up way faster tthan I thought and when you're using a python I don't know how to stop it when my faucet is 10 ft away. or at least when "I am" using it its hard. maybe I should go back to buckets when it comes to water changes, and just use the python to refil. I use 2.5 gallon buckets. I don't think I would be able to lift a 5 gallon bucket up to my tank without spilling and or breaking the taank with the bucket

 

Thank for the reminder, I was going to grab a plastic fork next time I'm out to eat!

You could definitely try pinching it, best thing to do would be add an in-line ball valve, so you could adjust the flow on the fly.

Hardware store might not carry them, your best bet would be a marina or boat supply, as livewell and bilge pump systems require all kinds of fittings.

 

I just vacuum like normal, but I keep my thumb over the end of the hose to stop water to allow the sand to fall back out. You can also pinch the tubing.

Additionally you can use a rubber band and a chop stick or something of the like to stir up the sand and kick debris loose and hover the siphon over the sand to suck up any muck.

heh I tried the chop stick thing. but it just kept turning and being useless instead of staying to do what it was intended

 

Thank for the reminder, I was going to grab a plastic fork next time I'm out to eat!

You could definitely try pinching it, best thing to do would be add an in-line ball valve, so you could adjust the flow on the fly.

Hardware store might not carry them, your best bet would be a marina or boat supply, as livewell and bilge pump systems require all kinds of fittings.

lol pythion has one. I was just too dumb to use it. ill remember that, although the connection between it and my sink kinda sucks so its hard to get any good pressure because I think the faucet is stripped becase I always have to put a towel over it or it sprays water everywhere when I vacuum or fill my tank using it. so if I lower the flow below max. I usually suck up nothing

 

The coarse grain sand is easier to deal with but the really fine stuff is a pain. I just hover slightly above and move the tube around to get the stuff on the top.

 

Does the python still come with the metal adapter that screws into the aerator? O switched mine to plastic which seemed to help the leak. Or use the brass/nickel(?) One with Teflon tape.

 

Does the python still come with the metal adapter that screws into the aerator? O switched mine to plastic which seemed to help the leak. Or use the brass/nickel(?) One with Teflon tape.

yes it does. switched to what now? are you talking about a different adapter?

I have that tahitian moon sand stuff. I guess really fine. guess I should start comparing sands so I know wha that means. I just wanted my corI fish to be happy, when I re do my ttank I will look into more coarse sand maybe. tahitian moon sand isn't even sold anymore except on like ebay at high prices

 

yes it does. switched to what now? are you talking about a different adapter?

Yes, something like this

 

Yes, something like this

oh cool. ill have to look into that. hardware store?

and aerator was he word I was rying to remember. I think my aerator is stripped heh because it doesn'tt leak in my neighbor's aerator which is the same as mine. minus the stripping

 

oh cool. ill have to look into that. hardware store?

Yes they should have it, most sinks have a standard fine thread, And the opposite is garden hose thread "GHT" (I am a merchandiser for a large local hardware store)

My LFT actually had about 1 of each in stock, but they were 8.99 or so which is outrageous, must be the word "aquarium" on the packaging

 

Yes they should have it, most sinks have a standard fine thread, And the opposite is garden hose thread "GHT" (I am a merchandiser for a large local hardware store)

My LFT actually had about 1 of each in stock, but they were 8.99 or so which is outrageous, must be the word "aquarium" on the packaging

thank you very much