Water change vs. Siphoning...

[pcfriedrich]

Oh...well I'm kinda particular....would using a net to skim off the top inbetween water changes work? Or what is used inbetween water changes..???

I do that sometimes. it usually works, but sometimes you end up burying it, or you end up scooping up a bunch of sand along with the waste (that doesn't really bother me, I use Quickrete pool filter sand from home depot its only $5 for a 50 lb bag, which is the perfect amount for a 55, by the way). I was thinking there has to be something better that could be used, kinda like a miniature kitty litter strainer or something.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I have an overstocked tank. 2 small waterchanges per week is enough to keep the surface of the sand clean enough for me.

 

[Bubbles0815]

I was thinking a turkey baster...oh how about a straw? Hold the one end of it closed then let go when it's lined up above the crap and then close it again...ever do that with your pop?? ...seriously!! lol

I do that sometimes. it usually works, but sometimes you end up burying it, or you end up scooping up a bunch of sand along with the waste (that doesn't really bother me, I use Quickrete pool filter sand from home depot its only $5 for a 50 lb bag, which is the perfect amount for a 55, by the way). I was thinking there has to be something better that could be used, kinda like a miniature kitty litter strainer or something.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I was thinking a turkey baster...oh how about a straw? Hold the one end of it closed then let go when it's lined up above the crap and then close it again...ever do that with your pop?? ...seriously!! lol

the straw deal might work...

but the turkey baster sounds like a great way to do spot cleaning. especially with larger fish.

another thing I hear people recommend is using powerheads to create currents that direct the waste toward your filter intake.

I got rid of my bubble maker thing for a while, until I realized that it helped keep the waste from settling, and allows more of it to find the filter intake. I'm actually going to install another bubble disc for the opoosite corner of my tank. Not right now, though; my RD is starting to build a nest. that chic will bite me!

 

[Bubbles0815]

I really like the look of the black sand Tahitian Moon...

I do that sometimes. it usually works, but sometimes you end up burying it, or you end up scooping up a bunch of sand along with the waste (that doesn't really bother me, I use Quickrete pool filter sand from home depot its only $5 for a 50 lb bag, which is the perfect amount for a 55, by the way). I was thinking there has to be something better that could be used, kinda like a miniature kitty litter strainer or something.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I really like the look of the black sand Tahitian Moon...

yeah. its nice. I was wanting to get that, but white is nice also. the $5 pricetag was pretty attractive, too. its so cheap that I don't worry about vacuuming some of it up when I do water changes. when It comes time to add more, its gonna be some of the black stuff.

make sure you wash the sand, though. put it in a bucket with running water, and keep stirring until the water running over the top comes out clean. I didn't do that and my tank was pretty dusty for a while. it affected my filter (emperor 400) a bit, too. the filter still works, but it isn't completely silent anymore. gonna replace it eventually...

 

[Bubbles0815]

Good point..CHEAPER! Ever seen a tank with the two mixed? I'd consider doing that..just not sure how it will look..

Now about rinsing the sand. Can do that in my tub? How do I prevent any sand from going down my drain?? Or is it best to do it outside...??

You mentioned before about a 'thing' to move the crap towards the intake. I have a bubblewand; long airstone thing will that suffice? I'm not too sure what it was you mentioned. Never heard of it..

yeah. its nice. I was wanting to get that, but white is nice also. the $5 pricetag was pretty attractive, too. its so cheap that I don't worry about vacuuming some of it up when I do water changes. when It comes time to add more, its gonna be some of the black stuff.

make sure you wash the sand, though. put it in a bucket with running water, and keep stirring until the water running over the top comes out clean. I didn't do that and my tank was pretty dusty for a while. it affected my filter (emperor 400) a bit, too. the filter still works, but it isn't completely silent anymore. gonna replace it eventually...

 

[pcfriedrich]

Good point..CHEAPER! Ever seen a tank with the two mixed? I'd consider doing that..just not sure how it will look..

Now about rinsing the sand. Can do that in my tub? How do I prevent any sand from going down my drain?? Or is it best to do it outside...??

You mentioned before about a 'thing' to move the crap towards the intake. I have a bubblewand; long airstone thing will that suffice? I'm not too sure what it was you mentioned. Never heard of it..

probably best to do it outside. the sand could accumulate and cause your tub drain to run slower.

just keep the bubblewand for now, see how that works. the 'thing' I mentioned is a powerhead. its a pump that you put in your tank to create a current. here's an example. its very cheap, so I'm not sure about the quality of that brand.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Syst...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1216509101&sr=1-10

 

[Bubbles0815]

I'll check it out when I go to Petsmart..what ever will help is worth the investment. Considering I got this tank at a great price!

probably best to do it outside. the sand could accumulate and cause your tub drain to run slower.

just keep the bubblewand for now, see how that works. the 'thing' I mentioned is a powerhead. its a pump that you put in your tank to create a current. here's an example. its very cheap, so I'm not sure about the quality of that brand.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Syst...?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1216509101&sr=1-10