I'm thinking about using a white silica sand substrate but I have a few questions... Will a siphon tube be too strong and suck up the sand while cleaning? What's the best way to clean a sand substrate?
Cleaning sand
- Thread starter chunkoblue
- Start date
yes some will be picked up when siphoning it out. i just go over the sand a couple inch and moving it around so it kicks up the dirt.
I go over the sand and when too much starts getting inside, I pinch the hose and it falls back out.
will you be using a python? or just a regular hose vacuum and bucket? if using a python just put a small bucket underneath the running faucet so the water runs in it. here the sand will collect in the bucket in sink. then its back to the tank with it when done.
when using a python you can take off the large vacuum tube and use just the hose itself to siphon with. this will suck up more of the waste and you will be able to get to places that the normal vacuum end can't get. This is where the bucket in the sink is handy as the some sand will also come up with it.
its a good idea to "stir" the sand as well. You may not need a real deep bed of sand. I just went about 1" average depth. Just personal preference.
When using silica sand you will most likely see some brown algae showing up. My Acei take care of it off the decorations and stirring helps the look of the sand.
when using a python you can take off the large vacuum tube and use just the hose itself to siphon with. this will suck up more of the waste and you will be able to get to places that the normal vacuum end can't get. This is where the bucket in the sink is handy as the some sand will also come up with it.
its a good idea to "stir" the sand as well. You may not need a real deep bed of sand. I just went about 1" average depth. Just personal preference.
When using silica sand you will most likely see some brown algae showing up. My Acei take care of it off the decorations and stirring helps the look of the sand.