How do you clean out/under caves?

[stavs]

In a tank with rockwork, how do you clean out the caves/rocks? Do you take all the rocks out and vacuum, or do you have any other tricks. I've heard someone uses a turkeybaster to blow out debris.

 

[Dread]

In a tank with rockwork, how do you clean out the caves/rocks? Do you take all the rocks out and vacuum, or do you have any other tricks. I've heard someone uses a turkeybaster to blow out debris.

I've always just cupped my hand, and waved it back and forth to "blow" the debris out, then siphoned it up.. I've also heard of people using turkey basters, except they'd use them to insert into the cave, and then suck out the stuff, because aparrently a siphining hose doesn't work.

 

[Bsixxx]

yeah do something like that i myself put the python on the setting where water goes back in the tank and i blow every thing out of there and then i clean it out

 

[stavs]

yeah do something like that i myself put the python on the setting where water goes back in the tank and i blow every thing out of there and then i clean it out

I never thought of that!

 

[ercnan]

When I had lots of rocks in my african tank, I used a spare powerhead to blast the gunk out, and what didn't go over the side (overflow to sump) got snagged by the HOB's.

 

[frnchjeep]

I like to brake down all the caves with every gravel vac. I will vac a section of the tank, move all the rocks to the clean section, and then vac where the rocks were. I find that where the rocks sit is always the dirtiest spots. I always set the rocks up different every time, too, so that there is always new caves that need to be explored. This kind of cuts down on territorial agression.

 

[Bizzaro]

I always set the rocks up different every time, too, so that there is always new caves that need to be explored. This kind of cuts down on territorial agression.

I do this two and my Kribs love it! i have about 20mid size rocks on one side of my tank which i move around at cleanings.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

I just angle the Syphon tube into the entrance of the cave, and thats it.

 

[portabuddy]

lol, my milawies clean there own caves, if something blows in that scoop it in there mouths and spit it out somewhere else... then the powerheads just take the crap away to the filter...

Sometimes i think that they put stuff in the midel of the tank for me to take away, at one point years ago i made some caves out og 4" pvc pipe, lavarocks and glue, well they are starting to degrade. the fish grab a roch and spit it out in the middel of the tank right in the front, well i like the sand to be clear so i reach in and pick the rocks out, well everyweek there is a little pile for me, like the fish know i will take it away for them?, now did they lern a new trick or did i? sad day when your fish outsmart you...