Gravel Vaccuum Doesnt have enough Suction?

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CoryWM

CoryWM

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 13, 2008
368
11
48
Everett, Washington
www.tankgeek.com
My gravel Vacuum doesnt seem to have enough suction. I have a 25' python. It will get solid fish poo in the chamber, and it'll just swirl around, and not actually get picked up. Also When I had gravel, I didnt get any "gravel tumbling action" like everyone else talks about. Even when I have the water running, to aid the suction, only then is it just barely enough to get solids up.... Still no tumbling.

My question is, What can I do to improve this. Smaller chamber? Shorter hose? Do something else?

has anyone tried this?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15484

Or is there a DIY powered gravel vaccuum?

Thanks,
Cory
 
hook it up to your garden hose outside, if accessible. the more the water pressure the greater the suction. inside faucets dont have much water pressure
 
Yeah, I don't really like to use the water pressure. I find it to be a huge waste of water.... As for the powerhead idea. I could do that, I'm just fearing putting solid matter, constantly into th epowerhead? At that point, I could mount it to a bucket, that drains into the bathtub...
 
If all you want to do is get the solids up then take the chamber off and just use the end of the hose, Thats what I do and it works great. I am guessing that you have some kind of sand in the tank now, when you are done getting the solids up mix the sand with your hand just to move it around a little. This is how I found out how to do this, http://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/cleaning_sand.php
 
Sounds like a water pressure issue. I use the most powerful faucet in the house, see if you can find yours. The laundry room tub is a good bet.
 
01yellowr;1690498; said:
If all you want to do is get the solids up then take the chamber off and just use the end of the hose, Thats what I do and it works great. ]
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I do this.. and I also have a 1-1.5" hose for thsi too :D
 
CoryWM;1690533; said:
But, when doing a 30% water change on 100g tank.. how much water is wasted, by having the water on to aid the suction?
Click to expand...

Plenty. It's a sacrifice we make to use a python.
 
yeah, thats the point of a python; to suck the crap out of your tank using water pressure. the higher the pressure, the faster it sucks. granted it wastes water, but it dont bother me. and besides, my house doenst have a meter yet so i pay a flat rate regardless of how much i waste!!! :cheers:
 
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