Cleaning substrate help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Nigelk8485

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 3, 2014
462
1
18
Louisville, KY
I need a way to make cleaning the top of my sand easier. I have the Python, both the 50 foot and the 25 foot, unfortunately there just isn't enough pressure even when I turn both my hot and cold water on full blast. I swirl it over whatever I need to clean and the stuff will float into the tube but pretty much just levitates there without being sucked into the hose. I have to flip the tube upside down to have it sink towards the hose and get it to be sucked up. I can't drop the hose out of a window to let gravity help, but was wondering if there are any other options or manual siphons people would recommend. Tank is 150 gallons.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Do you remove your aerator before connecting the python? If not, does your sink aerator have a water saving piece of plastic that is reducing water pressure and thus suction? You can try removing it. Also, you can try attaching a vacuum that has a narrower diameter (from a smaller siphon) to your hose. That would help increase the suction.
 
rmkblades said:
Do you remove your aerator before connecting the python? If not, does your sink aerator have a water saving piece of plastic that is reducing water pressure and thus suction? You can try removing it. Also, you can try attaching a vacuum that has a narrower diameter (from a smaller siphon) to your hose. That would help increase the suction.
Click to expand...

I do remove the aerator. So if I used the siphon tube from the manual one I have extra for a ten gallon it'd increase the suction?


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Nigelk8485 said:
I do remove the aerator. So if I used the siphon tube from the manual one I have extra for a ten gallon it'd increase the suction?


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

If the siphon tube that you stick in the tank is going to be narrower, than yes. It's just going to take a bit longer to vacuum,but at least it's going to be working, lol. Just be careful that you don't suck up too much sand (depending on the size of the siphon)...
 
OMG...I'm going through the same thing and its getting really annoying! And the tube flipping upside down thing...man, don't even get me started :irked:

I think the taller your tank is and the longer your siphon tube, the less pressure there is.

When I had my 80 gallon and my siphon tube was 10 inches, I had no problems with vacuuming. I have a 24 inch siphon tube now and it takes forever to vacuum and won't even suck up most of the turds unless I turn it upside down.

If you end up finding a solution, do let me know!! :)
 
souzie said:
OMG...I'm going through the same thing and its getting really annoying! And the tube flipping upside down thing...man, don't even get me started :irked:

I think the taller your tank is and the longer your siphon tube, the less pressure there is.

When I had my 80 gallon and my siphon tube was 10 inches, I had no problems with vacuuming. I have a 24 inch siphon tube now and it takes forever to vacuum and won't even suck up most of the turds unless I turn it upside down.

If you end up finding a solution, do let me know!! :)
Click to expand...

Haha will do. The worst is when you flip the tube upside down and everything just sort of spirals back out into the tank and spreads everywhere.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Nigelk8485 said:
I need a way to make cleaning the top of my sand easier. I have the Python, both the 50 foot and the 25 foot, unfortunately there just isn't enough pressure even when I turn both my hot and cold water on full blast. I swirl it over whatever I need to clean and the stuff will float into the tube but pretty much just levitates there without being sucked into the hose. I have to flip the tube upside down to have it sink towards the hose and get it to be sucked up. I can't drop the hose out of a window to let gravity help, but was wondering if there are any other options or manual siphons people would recommend. Tank is 150 gallons.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

souzie said:
OMG...I'm going through the same thing and its getting really annoying! And the tube flipping upside down thing...man, don't even get me started :irked:

I think the taller your tank is and the longer your siphon tube, the less pressure there is.

When I had my 80 gallon and my siphon tube was 10 inches, I had no problems with vacuuming. I have a 24 inch siphon tube now and it takes forever to vacuum and won't even suck up most of the turds unless I turn it upside down.

If you end up finding a solution, do let me know!! :)
Click to expand...

My solution is a home made mechanical siphon :)
1. Buy a cheap used water pump which can be used externally.
2. Go to Home Depot or similar store buy 2 drain tube cut at a
favorable length for you & some zip ties.
3. Connect the drain tubes to each end and zip tie the connected
area tight as possible.
4. Enjoy your new siphon as cleaning just got easier and quicker. :)

I used a 50' python on the siphoning end and connect a 50" drain tube
on the drain end so when I siphon the floor of my tanks I can also direct
the drained water to my yard and water the grass and garden :)

hoped this helped. :cheers:
 
tomojsg said:
My solution is a home made mechanical siphon :)
1. Buy a cheap used water pump which can be used externally.
2. Go to Home Depot or similar store buy 2 drain tube cut at a
favorable length for you & some zip ties.
3. Connect the drain tubes to each end and zip tie the connected
area tight as possible.
4. Enjoy your new siphon as cleaning just got easier and quicker. :)

I used a 50' python on the siphoning end and connect a 50" drain tube
on the drain end so when I siphon the floor of my tanks I can also direct
the drained water to my yard and water the grass and garden :)

hoped this helped. :cheers:
Click to expand...

Do you have a picture of it? Or any recommendations on the pump? I'm guessing you go with a low gph so you're not just sucking up all the substrate before you even know it. I have a fountain pump I use to drain my tank but it only has one area to attach a hose to for the output.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom