how do you clean your broodtanks?

[sassAwrasse]

With feeding multiple times a day, the tanks get dirty.

I've tried siphoning the food out but I find I'm changing too much water too often.

I recently won a Cobalt Aquatics Power Gravel Cleaner 30-125. Works great and doesn't remove water. However, it is very cumbersome to move from tank to tank.

I hate having my hands in the broodtanks. I hate disturbing them.

Can any of you recommend and easier solution?

I've heard of vacuum cleaners for tanks but I have no info on them.

Thanks in advance!
:thumbsup:

 

[kimberlee]

I use a long air tube, cut at a slant for scraping. If you really want to avoid putting your hands in the tanks rigged tubing can be attached for reach. stiff skinny tubing doesn't seem to bug my pair, and it sucks less water out than a 1" hose. They get a more regular WC, but only a gal at a time.

 

[JustinGr]

I use Nassarius snails for 99% of the mess and then I do a sweep with a fine mesh net to grab the rest. I use an ATS on my tanks so it's not a big deal, but the snails keep it picked up. My tanks are 40B for now and I have 4 Nassarius snails in each.

Also, two/three Turbo's

I just purchased two MARS retail units for my stock, and I will use a decent flow at the bottom of the tanks to flush everything up to be picked up by the overflow. I had the system modified to use a massive ATS filter and this makes things much nicer!

 

[sassAwrasse]

thanks guys. I have a few snails in there, but they don't clean up all of the excess food.

our system doesn't seem to be pulling up alot of excess from the overflow.

I was concerned that one of the reasons they weren't laying was because of the daily "cleaning" of tanks....but one of our pairs just laid a few days ago. So maybe that isn't it. Either way, I want to have slightly cleaner tanks for them so hopefully the others lay as well.

Any other suggestions appreciated! Anyone use underwater vacuums? really looking for pros and cons on those in a broodsystem.

 

[JustinGr]

Honestly, if you are worried about it, I would build a spray bar and put it at the bottom of the tank along the back, hook it up to a pump and have it blow the bottom of the tank, it will keep it suspended and the overflow will catch it or the clowns will eat it.

 

[sassAwrasse]

we originally had spray bars but all of the clowns were hiding behind them (we couldn't get them flush with the glass). our fear was that they would lay on the spray bars. we are trying to have them lay in pots (previously they were laying in pvc T's) so we can transfer the eggs, and have a better success rate than trying to catch fry when they hatch.

When we move, there will be alot more planning into a new system. We purchased our tanks used and had only a few options of set-up in the short window we had.

Currently I'm using a baster and just sucking up the food on the bottom. I find it easier than rigid tubing and it minimizes the water taken out.

Still looking for a more efficient method, but I guess it will do for now.

 

[JustinGr]

I used 3/8 and 1/2 tube and drilled the holes. It fits flush on the bottom of the tank.

I understand your issue. Good luck.

 

[rgfast]

If you want to siphon tanks without water change just let the siphon tube drain into filter sock, works for me.