Electric siphon pump

[sushi_and_sashimi]

I have a bare bottom tank that stays pretty clean, however overtime I do get a sort of silt build up as shown in the attached picture.

It's very hard to get that out during regular water changes using a regular siphon.

I've always wanted a slim electrically powered siphon that's a little more powerful then just the gravity powered siphons.

That way I could run it when I don't even want to do a water change and just allow it to run into a filter sock.

Have any of you used or do you know of such a tool?

 

[PhishEDELIC]

I have a bare bottom tank that stays pretty clean, however overtime I do get a sort of silt build up as shown in the attached picture.

It's very hard to get that out during regular water changes using a regular siphon.

I've always wanted a slim electrically powered siphon that's a little more powerful then just the gravity powered siphons.

That way I could run it when I don't even want to do a water change and just allow it to run into a filter sock.

Have any of you used or do you know of such a tool?

Yup get the same thing. It’s erosion from the crabs and snail and water movement over the live rock. I do weekly water changes to siphon it out.

I find the suction power on those electric siphons to be really for freshwater gravel. The force from a good old water change siphon is much stronger

 

[Biokabe]

Have you thought about one of those vacuum attachments that Vivid makes? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mjv-sc-vacuum-attachment-vivid-creative-aquatics.html

I've never used one myself, but it might do what you want.

 

[UncommonSense]

Even a cheap little maxijet pump or similar small submersible pump with a tubing fitting on the inlet works fantastic as a vacuuming device!

The only thing to watch out for is picking up big chunks of solids, like sand/rock rubble… everything you suck up has to pass through a pump impeller!

(There are technically pumps designed to move suspended dense solids, often referred to as “macerator” pumps, though they aren’t prevalent in the aquarium hobby/usually aren’t intended for this specific application!)

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

Have you thought about one of those vacuum attachments that Vivid makes? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mjv-sc-vacuum-attachment-vivid-creative-aquatics.html

I've never used one myself, but it might do what you want.

I had not until you pointed that out, thanks!

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

Even a cheap little maxijet pump or similar small submersible pump with a tubing fitting on the inlet works fantastic as a vacuuming device!

The only thing to watch out for is picking up big chunks of solids, like sand/rock rubble… everything you suck up has to pass through a pump impeller!

(There are technically pumps designed to move suspended dense solids, often referred to as “macerator” pumps, though they aren’t prevalent in the aquarium hobby/usually aren’t intended for this specific application!)

Not a problem in my case being bare bottom but I could sometimes run into shell frags or baby snails.

Thanks all! I do have about a dozen of these small pumps and I am now thinking with some super glue, tubing and a long stick i could right something up.

If there isn't enough head pressure to get it over the lip of the tank I could attach a bag to it underwater and when finished use my arm to lift it up.

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

I did have a feeling nobody could recommend an all-in-one solution. I seem to recall seeing one once that had bad reviews. I think it ran on AAA batteries too which didn't sound like that would work well.

 

[joseph scott]

Milwaukee makes a stick transfer pump as does Ryobi, and probably Dewault.

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

Milwaukee makes a stick transfer pump as does Ryobi, and probably Dewault.

Woah! I checked those out. Maybe a bit too heavy duty for my 50 gallon tank & application.

One mistake and say goodbye to your fish!

Funny they were demonstrating one using a hot tub and I'd just bought a sump pump to drain mine a few days ago.

 

[Asm481]

Have you tried a smaller diameter tube ran into a filter sock in your sump? You can work all day. This is how I go after bubble algae. Never ran bare bottom so maybe a no go.

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

This looks like the one I'd seen in the past that's meh:

Aquarium Gravel Cleaner 4 in 1 Electric Siphon Vacuum Pump for Water Change Sand Wash Fish Tank Cleaning Tool with Telescopic Rod Adjustable 15.75-27.17in - Walmart.com

Buy Aquarium Gravel Cleaner 4 in 1 Electric Siphon Vacuum Pump for Water Change Sand Wash Fish Tank Cleaning Tool with Telescopic Rod Adjustable 15.75-27.17in at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

Have you tried a smaller diameter tube ran into a filter sock in your sump? You can work all day. This is how I go after bubble algae. Never ran bare bottom so maybe a no go.

No, that's another great idea actually. I'll try that first. (I'm actually moving into a new house right now and checking back here in between breaks; that's why you can see that glass heater in the picture I took; most of my equipment and sump are on the patio in citric acid)

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

Ok, this might be exactly what I was hoping to find:

hygger Aquarium Gravel Cleaner - hygger

The gravel vacuum cleaning water pump provides a strong water flow of up to 360 GPH. It is powerful enough to change water and suck out debris and fish waste.

www.hygger-online.com

 

[Reef Jedi]

Have you thought about one of those vacuum attachments that Vivid makes? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mjv-sc-vacuum-attachment-vivid-creative-aquatics.html

I've never used one myself, but it might do what you want.

I had not until you pointed that out, thanks!

These work great! I use one to clean out my sump on occasion. I also have the narrow-corner attachment.

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-Gal-1-75-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-Powerhead-Shop-Vacuum-with-Filter-Hose-Compatible-

These work great! I use one to clean out my sump on occasion. I also have the narrow-corner attachment.

with-5-Gal-Homer-Bucket-BH0100-BH0100/202017218

That's what I use to clean my sump. Or rather suck all of the water out of it so I can get it outside to clean. Once every 3/4 years because I'm lazy but my ideal is twice a tear.

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Head-5-Gal-1-75-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-Powerhead-Shop-Vacuum-with-Filter-Hose-Compatible-

with-5-Gal-Homer-Bucket-BH0100-BH0100/202017218

That's what I use to clean my sump. Or rather suck all of the water out of it so I can get it outside to clean. Once every 3/4 years because I'm lazy but my ideal is twice a tear.

I'm not sure why the link doesn't work immediately after I posted it but it's the 'bucket head' at home depot. Turns your 5 gallon bucket into a wet/dry vac. Cheap and doesn't take up much space for what it is...

 

[Biokabe]

I love Mr. Bucket Head. He's saved my living room from many a sump overflow...

 

[sushi_and_sashimi]

I love Mr. Bucket Head. He's saved my living room from many a sump overflow...

And most of us already have the buckets!