Need better way of cleaning poo from sand

[JohnM]

Hey everybody, I need some ideas on cleaning poop from the sand in my tank. Its the pleco poop that is giving me problems. I am using a 25' gravel vac that just reaches the tank. Its not sucking up, it just comes up a quarter of the way up the tube and falls back down. My pleco is the messiest fish in the tank. The oscars poop sucks right up. I had no problem when he was in my 55 with gravel but I recently upgraded to a 150 with pool filter sand. What Im doing now is drain the tank to a certain level then use the water that Im putting back in to push the poop to a corner of the tank then scoop it and the sand out. I need a DIY idea for something anybody has done to better suck up the poop.

Thank for all your input.
John

 

[Pharaoh]

Try switching to a larger diameter hose. this will improve flow and suction.

 

[JohnM]

Larger hose is what I was thinking as well. Would I just get a hose and use a bucket or Is there some way to build something like a python? What could I use for the end that sticks into the tank like my python has that I could attatch the bigger hose to? Just want to get an idea in my head so when I go the Lowe's I know exactly what Im looking for.
Thanks for your reply Pharaoh
John

 

[JohnM]

Bump

 

[T.K.O.P. 8=X]

Vinyl tubing adapted do your current hose diameter over or put in your existing one. Will fetch you a few buck for more length can be bought @ LOWES or local hardware store. Real cheap i extended mine when it became too short. Plus sounds like you don't have a natural vac loop/ not enough line too gain one.

That's why you have no vacuum pressure/natural gravity behind it. Wider is better, but infact not because your cleaning the gravel expelling more water out than a smaller diameter tubing would.

 

[JohnM]

Please explain vac loop??? Thanks for responding but you post kinda loses me And do you mean to get a big enough hose to slip it over my existing hose and clamp it on?

 

[dwilder]

if the poop is that big cant you just scoop it up with a net or something like a kitty litter scooper a kitty litter scoop is probably to big but something like it

 

[JohnM]

During the week I use my net to get out the poop put down by my oscars and the Pbass,thats easy. But the pleco poop seems to be a lot heavier and it wont swish up even a little so I can catch it in my net.

 

[T.K.O.P. 8=X]

Cut a small piece of tubing from your existing one take it with you if you decide to mak it adapt on to another. Two options are place a new hose slightly smaller than the one you have or place a bigger diameter hose over it make sure it's a snug/tight fit, so it won't leak on you or drip anywhere. That's what i mean sorry if i confused you a bit it works. If i can get pics uploaded i'd show you my rig as an example it's also very simple to do.

===== <-- Say this is your hose right... Now you want it something like this below... ==== <-- [==== new adapter hose over your old one.

 

[JohnM]

Thats what I thought you meant but wasnt sure. Thanks

Your reply sounded like you have been tossing a few back