Cleaning a sandy tank?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » 07 Apr 2003, 18:25

Hi,

I was thinking about changing one of my tanks over to a sand substrate. Does anyone have any advice on how best to clean the sand once itâ??s in the tank? I would think my normal gravel cleaner would just suck up all the sand.

Cheers.

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 07 Apr 2003, 21:50

Got sand in all my tanks, and never used one of those....

I just hose the tanks (use a hose -python?- to syphon the surface of the sand).
The sand that is sucked up, I re-wash or replace with new (I always have some spare, pre-washed, sieved riversand about).

And once I'm done with the syphoning (wich doesn't use enough water for the waterchanges), I put a spare filtersieve on the hose and syphon about 1/4 to 1/3 of the tankwater out; and replace it with new.

With fry tanks or tanks with other tiny critters, I use pumphose (8-12mm) or even airhose (4mm) to syphon. Takes time but it's safe.

What's a gravelcleaner? can you post a pic?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » 07 Apr 2003, 22:42

This is what I mean by a gravel cleaner.

http://www.aquatics-online.co.uk/acatal ... rs_54.html

I currently use the Hagen Standard Gravel Cleaner for my tanks.

SynoPetri · Post by **SynoPetri** » 27 Apr 2003, 12:47

Come on SG_Eurystomus,

have you really never heard about a gravel cleaner? This was the first thing I bougth for my 55 litres tank.

Bathos · Post by **Bathos** » 29 Apr 2003, 15:58

here, most "gravel cleaners" from your website are either called gravel vacs, siphons, or pythons. maybe you just use different terms for the same things or group them differently.

-Liz