How do you siphon your sand bed?

[ddc0715]

Ok looking for ideas on how to siphon my Fowler tank.
It stands 6' tall. The tank is 32" deep. I must use a small step ladder to get into it .

I have tried those clear hoses from Lowe's and others they come kink. I don't want to wait days to straighten them out.

I have tried garden hoses. They bend an kink where the hose meets the vacuum tube. Any hose I used normal falls out of its clip etc. Water on the floor. A D@#$ nightmare

I would like to hard plumb a device of some kind, that could just hang on the side of my tank And flow into my filter socks. Then I remove it when done. Obviously the top of said device would have to be a short piece of tubing..

Anyone got a suggestion on this. Was thinking about researching small pool vaccums

 

[Idoc]

Python siphon hose system...and you will need to use a step stool for that high of a tank.

 

[ColorMeGone]

Maybe get you one of these things if you have enough room to use it.

Sand Bed UV Sweeper

Introducing the UV Sweeper – the ultimate tool for maintaining a pristine sand bed. This innovative device will effectively help control dinoflagellates and diatoms while preserving the delicate organisms beneath the surface. The UV Sweeper is at the core of a process to help shift the...

3dreefing.com

 

[gbroadbridge]

Ok looking for ideas on how to siphon my Fowler tank.
It stands 6' tall. The tank is 32" deep. I must use a small step ladder to get into it .

I have tried those clear hoses from Lowe's and others they come kink. I don't want to wait days to straighten them out.

I have tried garden hoses. They bend an kink where the hose meets the vacuum tube. Any hose I used normal falls out of its clip etc. Water on the floor. A D@#$ nightmare

I would like to hard plumb a device of some kind, that could just hang on the side of my tank And flow into my filter socks. Then I remove it when done. Obviously the top of said device would have to be a short piece of tubing..

Anyone got a suggestion on this. Was thinking about researching small pool vaccums

I've never vacuumed my substrate - It's easier to get animals do do the job :)

Add a bunch of conches and sand sifter fish and chuck the hose.

 

[boacvh]

2nd. Python hose.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

I also use python siphon hose into the filter socks change socks immediately after

 

[BryanM]

cant recommend yet, but I've just bought a boxtech electric gravel vacuum.... Mostly to try and remove silt from the new crush coral substrate. After that I doubt I will touch the sandbed again.

 

[Arkayology]

I use a python hose. I would recommend it.

 

[ddc0715]

Add a bunch of conches and sand sifter fish and chuck the hose.

I got a wrasse that is as big as a car conches won't stand a change with they?

 

[ddc0715]

.

 

[Bruttall]

Diamond Watchman Goby, constantly re-arranges the sand in my 300g.

 

[ddc0715]

The python is a great idea had one at one time.. However I'm wanting to avoid dragging hoses all over the place and I'm not trying wanting to perform a Wc.

As for the diamond goby. I have one of those and he does a good job. Moving it from one side of the tank to the other. Lol. But he avoids random spots of black matted algae.

I took don't like vacuuming my sand be, have not vacuumed my reef tank sand bed in 6 years
but this stuff. Looks like cyano but black. a thick carpet kinda matt, peels off like
and is thick as orange peel. This is what I want to vaccums out. I do not want to use chemicals to treat other than BB. Which I dose now. And it's helping. But some small spots are still hanging on.

I think I have some 1/2" pvc, an elbows a union and a ball valve hanging around. I'm going to Make a three piece rig with a hose barb on the tank end. I mean I already have two full siphons running anyway . why not a temporary/removable third one. #thinkoutsidethebox

 

[PizzaIan339]

I would say nassarius snails

 

[ddc0715]

I would say nassarius snails

Wrasse snack. He would thank me for the purchase of them I'm sure. Lol

 

[Arkayology]

Try more flow in the areas that are built up with whatever you have going on (no pics so I can't help ID). Not vacuuming for 6 years is a long time. If you do disturb the sandbed, I would be careful and only do a little at a time.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Ok looking for ideas on how to siphon my Fowler tank.
It stands 6' tall. The tank is 32" deep. I must use a small step ladder to get into it .

I have tried those clear hoses from Lowe's and others they come kink. I don't want to wait days to straighten them out.

I have tried garden hoses. They bend an kink where the hose meets the vacuum tube. Any hose I used normal falls out of its clip etc. Water on the floor. A D@#$ nightmare

I would like to hard plumb a device of some kind, that could just hang on the side of my tank And flow into my filter socks. Then I remove it when done. Obviously the top of said device would have to be a short piece of tubing..

Anyone got a suggestion on this. Was thinking about researching small pool vaccums

Having an RV I’ve learned not all hoses are created equally.

You can go get an RV no kink hose and it will stay straight.

Also, I haven’t had to use it for aquariums but if you wrap the hose in heat tape and roll it up. You can unroll it easily if you plug it in and it stays warm. So you can keep it in a colder area.

I am not sure how Duck tape would hold up but even if you heat taped all but the very end it would still work pretty well.

They also make a flat flimsy hose that is nearly impossible to kink. If you cut the ends and put you cleaning end then hose clamped it, I think it would be great.
Amazon has some knock offs Amazon product ASIN B0DJ9GBNS4I’ve had these out in low temps and even without heat tape they don’t kink much. With heat tape, you would have to tie it in a knot.