How do you vacuum sand when the suction is really strong?

[hulk181]

I built a gravel vacuum using a 1.5" hose and pvc pipe. The suction is really strong and I can drain 200 gallons in about 10 mins. I had sand before, but when I vacuumed the tank, I always suctioned off a lot of the sand.

I want to have sand in my new tank and still be able to use this high powered gravel vac. Is there something I can do to modify my gravel vac so it doesn't pick up sand? Like maybe I could put something over the opening of the gravel vac so it doesn't catch the sand?

 

[Yoimbrian]

First of all, there is no such thing as suction because physics doesn't suck (just lower pressure inside your tube than the aquarium, such that the aquarium pushes on the tube).

Second just make the end tube bigger, you'll get the same
Flow rate but lower velocity do the sand can settle


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[David R]

I've never "vacuumed" sand as you do gravel, I always just siphon the waste off the top and then give it a stir [sometimes]. If the lower pressure inside your tube causes the water to move more rapidly that desired (you could say almost like strong suction) either hold the end of the tube further up off the sand, or partially kink the hose. I always end up sucking out a bit of sand with each water change, but at $8 for a 25kg bag I'm not too worried if I have to top it up every so often.

 

[aldiaz33]

1. Put a ball valve on the hose to be able to control the flow of the siphon.
2. Expand the plumbing/PVC of the intake so that the vac is not as concentrated, allowing you to vac more surface area without siphoning out sand.

Good luck Hulkster.