Unsuckable poo!

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Racersk

Racersk

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 22, 2010
1,153
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Covington
Not sure if this is the right forum, but I want some insight!

Ever since my switch to sand, all the poo in my tank will not get sucked up into my Python 'gravel' vac. It seems to be more dense. Is this just my Pleco's filtering sand and passing it, making the poo more dense and heavier?

At this point I am thinking about fabbing a pooper scooper, like that used on my cats litterbox!

Anything I might be able to add to make the poo floatable so it'll go into my sump filter? (using a DIY surface skimmer overflow currently)

Thanks!
 
Not sure what can be added to make the poop lighter, I have the same type of issue in my tank, I just use a small weave fish net as well like you said, a pooper scooper. The holes in the netting are large enough for the sand to fall through and small enough to collect the poo and anything else. Just dip in and shake loose the sand.

If anyone knows a better way let me know too!
 
Yeah none of my nets have coarse enough netting to filter out the and...Maybe a DIY out of window screen and an older net... The gears are turning...
 
Hmmm....Window screen could probably work out really well, I like where this is going. It's cheap and you could make it to size!
 
Sorry about the double post, still can't figure out how to edit a message. But you could use a coat hanger for the wire if you bend and mold it correctly to attach the screen to, and poof uber cheap pooper scooper!
 
I usually break out the buckets for vacuuming then switch to my python when its strictly wc. I bought a bunch of nets that look perfect for sifting poop for $2, you know you'll be in a pet store this week I'd just buy one. Another route is they make metal sieves about the size of a soup bowl, I got mine at the supermarket for less than $5 but my wife won't let me touch it.
 
I tried just my normal gravel vac into a bucket and I had the same results...Unsuckable poo...

I also tried to scoop the poo, and my net was either too flimsy(coat hanger) or too fine(net with the coarsest mesh) to work well.

Oh, and when I did sift the sand, I created a cloud of sinking silica that settled quick, but still able to get into filters...

That and my 12" common pleco decided to do the same thing, he dug x2 12"x4" holes in the sand on the side without glass beads(the reason I covered the airbar with glass beads!) creating mud in my sponge filter, but at least he is moving the aerobic sand around...and my pastic plants...and...

I'm gonna deal with it in time, I added some salt to help 'move stool' and cleaned out the particle filters, pointing spraybars and the sponges powerhead, to better circulation. I may even move the power head/sponge to the other side of the tank in an effort to create a stronger current. I don't want to add another power sucking device to'just' move around the water...and bottom poo...I can think of a better way!
 
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