How to vacuum fine sand?

[Blair]

I have a 2" sand bed of very fine aragonite sand that is starting to accumulate fish waste and detritus in one corner. How do you vacuum fine sand without it all being sucked up an out? If I use a gravel cleaner and hold it just high enough that it doesn't pull up the sand, will it pull up the gunk?

Thanks
Blair

 

[bmwardo]

It is sometimes difficult not to get sand when doing something like that, often I take a small 1/4" hose with a long plastic tube at one end and go through the tank sucking out a few things now and then.

In the future are you able to add or adjust powerheads in order to eliminate any dead zones?

 

[hawkfish]

I use a siphon hose and stick a powerhead sponge inside the tube. This prevents the sand from getting sucked out. You'll need to clean the sponge frequently. The other way is to get a fine mesh bag and tie-strap it to the siphon hose and stick that end in your sump. This way you can take your time.

 

[reefergeorge]

I just use a siphon and keep my finger over the end. Opening till it starts to suck up the sand and closing a little more.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I have a big fat ugly black sea cucumber that was about 3 inches long when I got it. It's triple that size now and he hoovers the sand spotless.

 

[Blair]

I have a pretty decent amount of flow in the tank already. I have two Tunze 6025s plus the return. The big problem is that I have a tang that consistently relieves himself in the front corner of the tank. I'm talking like every thirty minutes... Anyways, there is getting to be a bit of accumulation in that corner and I'd like to be able to get rid of it before it breaks down and pollutes the tank. I was thinking about getting one of those big plastic gravel vacuums like they sell at petsmart and holding it just high enough off the sand bed so it pulls out the detritus but leaves the sand. Anybody tried this, does it work?

Blair

 

[mikey3165]

i use the vacuums they use on gravel in freshwater and jsut use my thumb to control the siphon and it works great my sand is snow white i love it

 

[Blair]

double post...