gravel vac

kw0me

AC Members
Feb 13, 2007
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recently i brought a new tank and couldnt wait to build the stand so i set it up on the floor. When i go to vac the gravel bcause of the bucket being the same level as the tank i dont get enough flow to pick up all the junk. any tips or suggestions apart from buying a python please let me know.
 
Kw0me - as you know the vacuum or siphon works via gravity. Water moves from point A to point B where point B is lower then point A.

Trying to move water from A to B without the help of gravity or a python will be tough.

Your best bet would be to take out about 3/4 the water (depending on your tank size). Don't throw it out, unless you need to do a water change. Hopefully this will allow you to put a layer of cut to fit 2X4s underneath (NOT a one person job!). This will lift your tank about 1.75 inches off the ground - it won't give you great suction but it's better then nothing. Then put the water back in.

Basically go to your local home hardware/home renovation store and by the wood and they'll cut it to your desired length.

I'm not a fan of moving a tank with water still in it but if you can find a few friends and lift from the bottom you should be OK. And you'll have to do something like this when you do get a stand - I generally use large TV stands for my tanks. They have shelves and a lot of storage and are built to hold hundreds of pounds, and are cheaper then aquarium stands.
 
I wouldn't recommend putting a tank full of water on a TV stand for any length of time. I had my 25 gallon sitting on a TV stand that should hold hundreds of pounds but it eventually bowed in the middle. I was afraid of a tank disaster so I ended up putting it on a proper aquarium stand anyways.

Marinemom
 
I understand your trepidation MM. However I've used them for years. Currently I've got a 40 Gallon tank sitting on a TV stand from CDN Tire. I've had up to a 70 Gallon on a TV stand (from Ikea).

What has worked for me is to make sure it's well built and has a middle support. Basically if you can move it easily buy yourself it's probably under built (but that's also my rule of thumb for our actual TV stand). And make sure before you buy that you can remove the legs so that the most surface area of the bottom of the stand is touching the ground at once, and that the tank is fully supported underneath and nothing is hanging off the sides.

Works great and puts everything at eye level when you're sitting down.

Also in the rural area we live tank stands are $300 and up - this sturdy well built TV stand was only $150. So I'm not suggesting to cheap out but merely there are other options.
 
Great idea... I'll have to remember that one. And what do you know. There's an Ikea just 5 minutes from here.

Q
 
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