Substrate Vacuum Recommendation Needed

[Razor7Music]

Hello Folks--

I'm really getting into having the cleanest water in my Tang tank I can, and already have my carbon water filter in use before water even gets to the tank for a water change, and now I have my new UV sterilizer. I've gone to smaller weekly water changes and man, my tank is looking clean!

Now, I want to do something about waste in the crushed coral substrate that I have in 2/3 of my tank. 1/3 is sand and I sift it periodically to get rid of 'stuff' I don't want.

I'm looking for a vacuum that can clean waste out of the coral substrate but that doesn't suck the crushed coral up into it. I've got a syphon version now, but the screen element is up inside the tube, so that the coral is sucked up into the vacuum and I just don't like those anymore.

Does anyone make a vacuum that has the screen/filter element at the nose of the vacuum so that the coral doesn't have to get sucked up into the tubing?

I could probably make something, and I will if I have to, but wanted to know if there is already a good product out there.


Thanks,

Stephen

 

[ragin_cajun]

Python won't work?

 

[Razor7Music]

Hey Rage--

The python has the screen (so the substrate doesn't get sucked out of the tank) up inside the rigid tubing like the vacuum I have.

If there was a way to put the gravel screen right on the tippy end of the nose, that's what I'm looking for.

Thanks!

 

[DDK]

Hm why dont you get a vac?
such as
http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Gravel-Cleaner-Sludge-Extractor/dp/B003C5U2SU

I dont think its strong enough to suck the sand/coral up and it keeps the water in the tank as you already have clean water so your just removing debris from the tank floor.

Or you can just get a hand full of pillow stuffing and shove it into it lol

something like this with a weak pump?

 

[302 Exotics]

You could always just add metal screening to a gravel vac. You could cut a small square of the screening out, wrap it around the open end of the tube and secure it with a hose clamp.

 

[Razor7Music]

The eheim looks interesting but still sucks the substrate up into it.

Part of my problem is that the crushed coral I have is very light and some very small and it ends up getting sucked up into the tubing so the suction is reduced. When the suction is reduced I have the shake all the coral out and then all the crud comes out too.

I might try the screen with the hose clamp idea if I can't find anything.

I'll keep looking.

Thanks all.