Syphoning sand fail

[aviationreef]

So i was trying to syphon my sand for the first time, and i feel like i made the tank worse not better.

The 5 gallon buckets were filling really fast so i didn't have much time to actually syphon for very long i feel by the time i picked up any sand my 5 gallon bucket was half full, then i would try to get the sand to fall back down before i pulled the syphon out. But instead i had to pull out of the water and litter the aquarium with sand, so i had to powerhead blow off all my rocks again. By the end i changed 15 gallons(60 gallon system) all of my corals were ticked and half of my rocks had sand on it.

Am i just an idiot, is their a better way? Is their a good video to watch to help learn.

 

[MikeyB]

When i siphon my sand i keep my thumb near the end of the hose. I put the other end into the sand, move it around etc, when i see it filling up with sand, i plug the end and let all the sand fall out. Hopefully that makes sense :)

 

[aviationreef]

thats a good idea, currently with my absurdly tall sand i can not reach down to it. But i am moving stands within the month and will be able to do that easily.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[MikeyB]

You use something like this right? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/no-spill-clean-fill-replacement-gravel-tubes-python.html

I have the 30" one as i have a DD tank. I start the siphon and just jam the end right into the sand :)

 

[Wiz]

Do you have a sump?

 

[aviationreef]

You use something like this right? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/no-spill-clean-fill-replacement-gravel-tubes-python.html

I have the 30" one as i have a DD tank. I start the siphon and just jam the end right into the sand :)

Yes i bought one that has a squeeze ball makes starting the syphon really easy.

Do you have a sump?

yes why?

 

[Wiz]

Run your syphon through a filter sock with some pads in it and into your sump. that way you don't have to worry about buckets