cichlid poop is heavy!!!

[NeptuneNY]

Hey MFKers...i'm looking for some advice.
I have a 7'x2'x2' tank with some SA growouts. (1 H. temporalis 4", 1 H. coryphaenoides 3", 3 Uaru amphiacanthoides 3", 3 H. psittacus 3", 3 H. sp. Rocktiel 2", 2 H. severus sp atabapo 3")
I've got a problem with poop accumulating on the substrate between my weekly WC/gravel vacuuming. I run two FX5's that seem to push a lot of water but the suction is not enough to pick up all the poo. Its actualy heavy to vacuum also...(especially Uaru poo). How do you guys deal with this? I feel like even if i added powerheads to push stuff to the intakes it still would not be sucked in. I dont mind vacuuming every WC but at feeding time all the crap gets pushed up and around and my tank looks very dirty :/
thanx in advance for the help MFK

 

[nmrsco]

i have this same problem

 

[Earthswater]

If you don't have any substrate, then just plumb it so the intake is ground level/at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Pomatomus]

Would a powerhead help?

 

[NeptuneNY]

Would a powerhead help?

i was thinking of adding a couple but i think they will just push stuff to one spot. it will make vacuuming faster but i dont know that my filter can pick them up.

 

[Industrial]

You can get a wider gauge siphon hose or use a smaller attachment.

Edit: Oops, my bad.


I second adding a powerhead at the bottom to direct it to a certain area.

 

[nmrsco]

I have a powerhead down at the bottom but it really doesnt help much

 

[NeptuneNY]

i was wondering if there are any ways to improve the suction of the FX5 or if there are any filters out there that suck more...
i was even thinking to use the outputs to create some stream over the gravel...any thought guys???

 

[aclockworkorange]

Powerheads definitely help, but you have to have one that's strong enough to make a difference AND position it correctly. Check out the koralia evolution series.

 

[jonnyjay]

i had the same problem then i got a large powerhear (magnum 8) and it now blows all the poo to one corner of the tank, which hasent realy solved the problem but makes vacing 10 times faster which helps.