Siphoning sandy bottom? Im confused.

[Glasman]

So ive had tanks pretty much my whole life, but have only used gravel substrate. How do you siphon sand bottoms without sucking up all the sand?

 

[frnchjeep]

Hover the syphon over the sand to pick up any debris. When you get it all, stir the sand up with your hand, and let it settle. You might get a little more on top of the sand, so just suck it up again. Once you get a rhythm down, you should be able to get it all done in one water change without having to stop the syphon.

 

[msjinkzd]

you hover over teh sand and suck up the debris. Be sure to disrupt the sand every once in awhile to prevent anaerobic gas pockets from forming. A chopstick rubber banded to the end of your siphon is an easy way to do this and still suck up debris or trapped gases.



edit: ninjaed

 

[anhtu402]

you hover over teh sand and suck up the debris. Be sure to disrupt the sand every once in awhile to prevent anaerobic gas pockets from forming. A chopstick rubber banded to the end of your siphon is an easy way to do this and still suck up debris or trapped gases.



edit: ninjaed

Awesome tip. Thanks!

 

[jprp]

depending on width of your siphon you will need to vary the distance between sand and pipe.
start about 2.5in above sand and slowly lower as needed - the waste particles should be lighter than the sand and lift away.

 

[Glasman]

Thanks guys.

 

[spiff]

Just keep a loop/kink of the hose in your hand so that you can throttle down the flow when you see the sand getting sucked up too high.

 

[Jonergin]

Oh awesome tip about the chopstick and rubber band. Home come I never thought of that? *sigh*

 

[assortedsorts]

Just keep a loop/kink of the hose in your hand so that you can throttle down the flow when you see the sand getting sucked up too high.

This is what I do...When I stir up the sand I use my syphon and when sand gets sucked up I just kink the hose and let it fall again.