How do you syphon aquarium sand, Without it getting sucked up, Or wont it get sucked up?
2007-07-02 13:35:14 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
You can siphon across the top of it by pinching your siphon tube a bit to slow the flow, but it's very difficult to clean it in the same way you clean gravel.
MM
2007-07-02 13:53:01 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, there are many different types of sypons on the market. However, I always use a battery operated one. I can't say that i've had experience with a sandy substrate, however, I do use an extremely fine gravel, and I have never had any problems.
Although sand may seem very fine, and extremely light, once it is in the aquarium and under water, it actually becomes quite dense and heavy, and stuff like left-over food and poo should actually be quite a bit lighter.
If you remember times when you've build sand castles at a beach, and remember how heavy the snd gets once it is wet, I think you'll understand what I mean!
I choose to use a battery operated syphon as it is much easier to use and tends to do a better job!
You shouldn't have any problems. Some sand may get sucked up, but not much, and the loss of sand will not be important when you consider the amount of waste you will be clearing!
Anyway, I wish you luck, and this is a good site that will provide you with some great info;
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/sand.php
2007-07-02 20:52:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One way I learned, and it'll seem silly is to cover the end of the syphon with the cut toe end of a nylon. Covering the end of your hose with this and rubberband around it should help you just suck up the water and not all the other tank things.
2007-07-06 19:09:47 · answer #3 · answered by Potato 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my african tank, which has calcium sand, I just take it off the top. There is no waste down in the sand, the filter picks it all up. You will need to clean your filter more often, and there is a slight risk of sand getting in the impeller of your pump, but sand does have it's own advantages.
2007-07-02 22:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it will get sucked up. That's why most people will use small pebbles and stones instead of sand. It's heavier.
The lighter the material is at the bottom and the quicker the volume (hose size) the more you will pick up.
2007-07-02 20:46:31 · answer #5 · answered by gino 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋