How Do I Vacuum Sand?

[Razor7Music]

Hello--

I always get great replies on this forum and I really appreciate it. I've not been at this hobby very long, but I really love it and want to do it right.

Some of you may laugh at this, but I tried to use my electric gravel vacuum on my new tank that has a very fine sand substrate and, you guessed it, it clogged in moments. It's still a great little tool for siphoning, but what should I use for cleaning the poo and etc. from the sand? I'd prefer electric because I hate using natural siphons--but the issue seems to be filtering poo and excess food particles and not sucking up the sand. How do I do that?

Many thanks,

 

[BPags52]

I don't have sand substrate but I've read on MFK before that people that gravel vac their sand hold the vac a few inches above the sand...just enough to suck up waste/etc without siphoning sand with it.

 

[Razor7Music]

I don't have sand substrate but I've read on MFK before that people that gravel vac their sand hold the vac a few inches above the sand...just enough to suck up waste/etc without siphoning sand with it.

My suction doesn't seem to be that strong as to pull any waste from the sand by being above the sand.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

How about a Python? Works also with sand

HarleyK

 

[Razor7Music]

Howdy,

How about a Python? Works also with sand

HarleyK

Oooh, a python. I like it. You might say, it sucks--in a good way.

Thanks,

 

[benzjamin13]

If the sand is course, a Python will work perfectly. However, if the sand is too fine, it'll get siphoned out as well as the waste. Something like Pool Filter Sand will be okay for a Python...Black Tahiti Sand will get siphoned. I have the Gravel Vac attachment that came with the Python and a hard tube that I will change out with the finer sand and just siphon the top of the sand to remove any waste.

 

[gomezladdams]

With the python you can use the lever valve to adjust the flow if its sucking up the sand.

 

[Lupin]

With sand, I do hover it a few inches above to avoid it from getting sucked. The wastes are lgihter and get sucked eventually.

 

[ken 429]

i use a python and put the discharge end in a bucket any sand that i suck up settles to the bottom of the bucket. when im done i rinse whats in the bucket and return it to the tank.

 

[hawkeye05]

I use a python with a 3 foot tube. The height of the tube allows the sand to circulate and fall back down with out a lot of sand going down the drain. But there will be some loss.