Substrate cleaning frustrations

[MeatHook]

I’ve got a couple of questions I would like some input on.

First off I’m having some trouble with substrate cleaning using a python style vacuum. My 15+ inch common Pleco’s “poop” is too heavy for the gravel vac to lift more than a couple of inches up the tube. I’ve tried just a basic siphon, the powered siphon using the faucet adaptor and taping off a portion of the gravel tube to create more intake velocity without any success. What are your thoughts on this?

Secondly, I am using very fine sand as a substrate. With the size and activity level of the pleco the sand never seems to compact to any degree. Great care has to be used when attempting to clean the tank. I’ve searched and found the most common advice is to “hover” the gravel vac about an inch or so above the sand to minimize the loss of sand. This works only minimally at best in regards to cleaning (see above) as well as sand loss. I’ve started to run the siphon into a bucket in the bathtub and just let the water overflow the bucket. This catches about 90% of the sand that makes it into the vacuum. Better but not ideal.

Do any of you have any experience with sand substrates and what did you find that worked best for you? See my sig for the tank specs if needed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mastiffman]

I’ve got a couple of questions I would like some input on.

First off I’m having some trouble with substrate cleaning using a python style vacuum. My 15+ inch common Pleco’s “poop” is too heavy for the gravel vac to lift more than a couple of inches up the tube. I’ve tried just a basic siphon, the powered siphon using the faucet adaptor and taping off a portion of the gravel tube to create more intake velocity without any success. What are your thoughts on this?

Secondly, I am using very fine sand as a substrate. With the size and activity level of the pleco the sand never seems to compact to any degree. Great care has to be used when attempting to clean the tank. I’ve searched and found the most common advice is to “hover” the gravel vac about an inch or so above the sand to minimize the loss of sand. This works only minimally at best in regards to cleaning (see above) as well as sand loss. I’ve started to run the siphon into a bucket in the bathtub and just let the water overflow the bucket. This catches about 90% of the sand that makes it into the vacuum. Better but not ideal.

Do any of you have any experience with sand substrates and what did you find that worked best for you? See my sig for the tank specs if needed.

Thanks in advance.

First off, I wouldn't waste any time with using the facet adapter with the python. A. it wastes fresh water (and the energy to make it freash) B. you will get way better flow if you attempt to start a siphon and let it drain into a ground level drain instead of being pumped back up to tank level and into the sink.

Secondly, remove the most decor you can and stir up the tanks water quite a bit! This bring most of the debris into the water column enabling you to use a fine mesh net to rake the water clean of large pieces of waste.

Lastly, I would invest in some pwoerheads like a Koralia model to cause a current that will left the waste off of the sand but not lift the sand. I would then use a spraybar on the output of one of your filter(s) so that it creates a roll of the water column from front to back.

Alternate method, get rid of the Plecos. They are messy fish in general because of the waste they create!

 

[Joe M]

When I had fine sand I used to take the plastic tube off the end of my python for quickly removing poo with minimal sand loss. It really increases the suction and it works very well. You should give that a try.

 

[bigbadfish711]

I would just use a net to remove the large pieces of waste. It you want you can also invert the end of the python in the water so the large pieces are sucked out.

 

[Twicksisted]

if the wide tube suction side is shorter youll have more chance of sucking up the fish crap... maybe cut it shorter.

I have fine sand and this works for me... I also keep a hand on the silicone tube and squeeze it if the sand goes too high in the tube to restrict the flow

 

[KaiserSousay]

Net it.
I had to use a plastic putty knife attached to a fiberglass rod in one hand and a net in the other.
Just like cleaning up after a dog(about the same size too).
The knife would "scoot" the poop into the net with only a bit of the sand getting stirred up.

 

[hereticlosmorte]

i would agree on netting the poo out if it will not go up the python tube.
i have inverted my tube as well and that does work.
as far as sand loss, when i vac my sand, i tilt the tube at an angle, the sand that goes in tumbles back down that "hill" and the lighter poo goes right on up the python.

 

[the big kahuna]

First off, I wouldn't waste any time with using the facet adapter with the python. A. it wastes fresh water (and the energy to make it freash) B. you will get way better flow if you attempt to start a siphon and let it drain into a ground level drain instead of being pumped back up to tank level and into the sink.

Secondly, remove the most decor you can and stir up the tanks water quite a bit! This bring most of the debris into the water column enabling you to use a fine mesh net to rake the water clean of large pieces of waste.

Lastly, I would invest in some pwoerheads like a Koralia model to cause a current that will left the waste off of the sand but not lift the sand. I would then use a spraybar on the output of one of your filter(s) so that it creates a roll of the water column from front to back.

Alternate method, get rid of the Plecos. They are messy fish in general because of the waste they create!

i had a common pleco that size. i sold him for the same reason. 2 other suggestions get rid of the sand or use a net and scoop the poop

 

[alotadollars]

i just use only the tube from the vac. i run it out the window and run the freshwater hose in tank at the same time. gently blow the crap into one corner.. very little sand loss

 

[bbortko]

I have 2 10" plecos and 2 kpralia 1050s in my 125g, the powerheads made a huge difference. What poop is left I use a hose from the gravel vac without the tube and no turs gets left behind. If I wasn't so impatient I could clean the sand with minimal loss but I'd rather pay $5 for a 50# bag of pfs once or twice a year than waste 5-10 minutes a week saving sand.