sand as substrate

[andrey]

sound like a silly question, but i have just done a tnak with a sand as
substrate insyead of tyhe usual gravel.
now, when i clean my tank i used one of this simple pump, which is ok with
gravel as the gravel go half way through oit and fall off again in the tank,
but the sand is a all different matter, he get suck off all the way, and get
down the basket of dirty water. whcih normally i throw away.
so i have been very carefull to leave the hose above the sand enought not to
let it get in, but i wonder if they is others solution?
if i am right ppls with cichlids usually used sand as substrate, what do
they do when they clean it?
thank in advance for any tip[s,
greatly appreciated
best regards,
Herve


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[Dinky]

"andrey" > wrote in message
...
> sound like a silly question, but i have just done a tnak with a sand as
> substrate insyead of tyhe usual gravel.
> now, when i clean my tank i used one of this simple pump, which is ok with
> gravel as the gravel go half way through oit and fall off again in the
tank,
> but the sand is a all different matter, he get suck off all the way, and
get
> down the basket of dirty water. whcih normally i throw away.
> so i have been very carefull to leave the hose above the sand enought not
to
> let it get in, but i wonder if they is others solution?
> if i am right ppls with cichlids usually used sand as substrate, what do
> they do when they clean it?
> thank in advance for any tip[s,
> greatly appreciated
> best regards,
> Herve


I have 2 tanks with sand. Previously, I either put a small valve on the
vaccuum hose, or just pinched it to reduce the flow rate. Then, someone here
pointed out that sand compacts pretty heavily, so the lion's share of debris
sits on the surface of the sub. Now I just wave the tube over the surface,
and up comes the gorp.

[andrey]

thank for the replied, i came to the same conclusion, i have notice the sand
is pretty compact and i guess if i keep the hoose about a inch above it, the
dirt shall come out woithout sucking up the sand.
thank again
Herve
"Dinky" > wrote in message
...
>
> "andrey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > sound like a silly question, but i have just done a tnak with a sand as
> > substrate insyead of tyhe usual gravel.
> > now, when i clean my tank i used one of this simple pump, which is ok
with
> > gravel as the gravel go half way through oit and fall off again in the
> tank,
> > but the sand is a all different matter, he get suck off all the way, and
> get
> > down the basket of dirty water. whcih normally i throw away.
> > so i have been very carefull to leave the hose above the sand enought
not
> to
> > let it get in, but i wonder if they is others solution?
> > if i am right ppls with cichlids usually used sand as substrate, what do
> > they do when they clean it?
> > thank in advance for any tip[s,
> > greatly appreciated
> > best regards,
> > Herve
>
>
> I have 2 tanks with sand. Previously, I either put a small valve on the
> vaccuum hose, or just pinched it to reduce the flow rate. Then, someone
here
> pointed out that sand compacts pretty heavily, so the lion's share of
debris
> sits on the surface of the sub. Now I just wave the tube over the surface,
> and up comes the gorp.
>
>


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[Andre]

I use a vacuum attachment with a long tube and a hose about 5' long. If the
sand is very fine then use a smaller diameter hose. Before the sand enters
the hose, I place my thumb over the end of the hose to stop the water flow
and allow the sand to drop. I do this about once a month but less often if
the fish are spawning and fry are very small. All my plants are attached to
rocks and wood so it makes less of a problem.

"andrey" > wrote in message
...
> sound like a silly question, but i have just done a tnak with a sand as
> substrate insyead of tyhe usual gravel.
> now, when i clean my tank i used one of this simple pump, which is ok with
> gravel as the gravel go half way through oit and fall off again in the
tank,
> but the sand is a all different matter, he get suck off all the way, and
get
> down the basket of dirty water. whcih normally i throw away.
> so i have been very carefull to leave the hose above the sand enought not
to
> let it get in, but i wonder if they is others solution?
> if i am right ppls with cichlids usually used sand as substrate, what do
> they do when they clean it?
> thank in advance for any tip[s,
> greatly appreciated
> best regards,
> Herve
>
>
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> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 19/08/2003
>
>