How to clean the sand bed?

[cmdmd]

I read about syphoning the top layer, great. I have a total volume of 18 gallons of water, in a 28gal hql. How do I syphon efficiently without using up my 5gal allowance? Otherwise, I am doing a HUGE water change.

Thanks for your answers

 

[cmdmd]

Ideas? Anything?

 

[dzfish17]

You may want to post this in the nano tank section as they have alot of experience with small tanks.

Dave

 

[cubsFAN]

I think we can help you here. I think that a lot of people don't clean their sand beds. Keep good water quality and have some critters that can stir it up. I highly suggest the large nassarius snails sometimes advertised as super tongan nassarius snails. how old is your tank? how deep is your sand bed? I don't siphon out any sand. How many hours do you run your hqi? Are you using rodi for topoff?

 

[cubsFAN]

also got to know what kind of flow you have. pics would be good.

 

[pafc64]

Do you have a sump?
If so use a filter sock in the sump to catch the debris from the syphon hose & the water will be pumped back to your display.
If not maybe You could use a large bucket with the filter sock & then pour the water back in the tank