Cleaning sand

marineman2323

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Messages
14
Reaction score
4
Location
CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’m new to saltwater and about to do my first water change! I have a gravel siphon but was wondering how do I clean the sand? Well the siphon work?? Thank you
 

Reef.

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
4,599
Reaction score
3,441
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yes, just suck on the tube when the other end is in the water fully, a few videos on YouTube if you get stuck. Takes a few goes to get the knack.
 
OP
OP
M

marineman2323

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Messages
14
Reaction score
4
Location
CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yes, just suck on the tube when the other end is in the water fully, a few videos on YouTube if you get stuck. Takes a few goes to get the knack.
Thank you! But we’ll the gravel siphon vacuum up the sand or we’ll I be fine ?
 

SPR1968

No, it wasn’t expensive dear....
View Badges
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
20,028
Reaction score
124,588
Location
Nottinghamshire England
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Why do you want to clean the sand anyway, it’s all part of the ecosystem

It is personal preference but I’ve never cleaned the sand in either of my systems

And yes you can use distilled water for top off assuming it’s got nothing else added to make it taste better and the TDS is acceptable (0 or thereabout)
 
OP
OP
M

marineman2323

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2021
Messages
14
Reaction score
4
Location
CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Why do you want to clean the sand anyway, it’s all part of the ecosystem

It is personal preference but I’ve never cleaned the sand in either of my systems

And yes you can use distilled water for top off assuming it’s got nothing else added to make it taste better and the TDS is acceptable (0 or thereabout)
Thank you!! And I don’t want to I just thought I should or had too! Lol
 

Reef.

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2019
Messages
4,599
Reaction score
3,441
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thank you!! And I don’t want to I just thought I should or had too! Lol

I clean mine, just be aware that if you don't clean the sand, you don't want to stir it up or it will release bad stuff into the tank, and also consider if you like the look of sand that hasn't been cleaned, in a small tank I think clean sand looks better, but as said it's your choice.
 

Rmckoy

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
8,369
Reaction score
11,239
Location
Ontario Canada
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You might get tired or feel sick when you get a mouthful of fish tank water .
It takes a few times to learn new ways .

Submerge the hose in water and plug the end as you raise it out of the water and lower to your bucket take your finger off the end creating a siphon .

I gaged and lost dinner too many times .
believe me. .

life hacks that work
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 76 51.0%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 76 51.0%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 37 24.8%
  • None.

    Votes: 33 22.1%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 6.0%
Back
Top