cleaning pf sand

[adalas226]

i added my first fish to my new tank... this is the first time using pool filter sand... i took my common pleco from my other tank and put him in the new one and the next morning i woke up to Sh*t EVERYWHERE on top of the sand.. i tried to vaccum it and its not working and was told to get some snails so i did that and put them in.. any suggestions im getting discouraged

 

[krzr3000]

Whats not working? Sand is the easiest substrate to vacuum...just hover above it. And create some current with the siphon tube to lift the waste...

 

[adalas226]

i was getting alot of sand sucked up ..so i dont have to push the vac. down into the sand??

 

[terd ferguson]

i was getting alot of sand sucked up ..so i dont have to push the vac. down into the sand??

Try about 1/2" to 1" above the sand and see how that works out for you. Don't push it down in the sand as you would with gravel.

 

[DinoG]

why would you use sand if you dont know how to clean it

 

[Greenaveli]

why would you use sand if you dont know how to clean it

Trail and error. He likes the sand look so he has to learn. Nothing wrong with that.

If you are using a python take the big tube off and just use the hose. Get about half inch above the sand and all the crap should suck right up. Good luck.

 

[Mystix212]

Snails are a pretty lousy cleaner compared to a plec. Plecs are known for their exceptionally bad toilet skills. So you might wanna try and aim a soft current in the sand to blow the poo into the water and have it sucked up into the filter.

 

[adalas226]

Snails are a pretty lousy cleaner compared to a plec. Plecs are known for their exceptionally bad toilet skills. So you might wanna try and aim a soft current in the sand to blow the poo into the water and have it sucked up into the filter.

what can i use for a soft current???

 

[cichlid savage]

A small powerhead.

 

[DasArab]

why would you use sand if you dont know how to clean it

Sometimes people amaze me. This is a forum for asking questions about fish and all things related to fish keeping. As far as I can see thats what the poster is doing.

Now back on topic, Adalass I found that the normal gravekl syphon end was too big and added a smaller biamiter pipe to remove the debris from the top of sand. If your using the hose into buckets you can then add the sand that gets syphoned out back into the tank, if you not and its going straight in to the sink or outside put a small tub at the end of the syphon to collect any sand.