gravel vac

[malken]

does anyone have a trick to using a gravel vac in an invert tank? I really don't like to possibility of losing one or more to a water change.

I was thniking I could put some nylon at the end to catch them, or possibly around the front to keep them from going in to begin with. I guess that second one would be a problem in that it would also keep mulm from getting sucked up as well.

 

[Blueiz]

Just be careful and watch closely when you are vaccuming. They will move out of the way. If it makes you feel more comfy, you can use a nylon, however it will limit the amt of mulm and debri you can syphon out...

Blue

 

[malken]

I don't get alot of maneuverability with my siphon because of the placement of the tank so it's kinda hard to watch where im going, I just feel better with a safety net of sorts

 

[luckydud13]

WATCH OUT if you have something like nylon some peices of... wtvr can clump up!

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what i have done in the past is feed them on one end. then use a net to push the rest out of the way. though i often dont gravel vac.

 

[TLT]

The first time I ever vac'ed my shrimp tank, I sucked up a baby shrimp. To prevent myself from going cross-eyed looking for them, I use a small hose (1 cm diameter) and place my index finger slightly in front of the opening as a barrier for shrimp, as well as a plow to push the gravel around. I also siphon slowly to give the shrimp enough time to get out of the away. It seems to work

 

[Fishy_Fun]

my Python had a plastic grid to prevent this

 

[thebullit]

mine also has a plastic grid, but i have found a few babies can be sucked up.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

I use a turkey baster to suck up mulm on top of the gravel and have small sponge over the end of the hose for extracting water.

 

[leighasnana]

The first time I ever vac'ed my shrimp tank, I sucked up a baby shrimp. To prevent myself from going cross-eyed looking for them, I use a small hose (1 cm diameter) and place my index finger slightly in front of the opening as a barrier for shrimp, as well as a plow to push the gravel around. I also siphon slowly to give the shrimp enough time to get out of the away. It seems to work

I like this idea and I'll try it next time. I just cleaned the tank with a bit of filter floss attached to the end of the hose and it was a total pain. The gravel kept clogging it up. I follow up with a brine shrimp net with floss in it to catch the debris floating in the water. I still get a coating of white particles on my glass though when it all settles.