Water Changes With Sand Substrate

[Nickguy5467]

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?

 

[Demeter]

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.

 

[Nickguy5467]

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

 

[NKlamerus]

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.

 

[Celestialpearl]

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.

 

[Nickguy5467]

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

 

[NKlamerus]

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.

 

[Nickguy5467]

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

 

[NYFishGuy]

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.

 

[NKlamerus]

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.

 

[Nickguy5467]

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

 

[NKlamerus]

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

Yes, something like this

 

[Nickguy5467]

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

 

[NKlamerus]

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

 

[Nickguy5467]

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