Tapping drain for detritus suction

[cham]

I don't have any visuals so try and stick with me without it . I've automated so many things in my tank and there is one thing left that I have to do manually. Detritus vacuuming, typically once a week before water changes. I usually blow off the rocks before a water change, allow it to settle on the BB of the tank and vacuum it out with a tube attached to a 5g bucket.


To avoid the bucket with a 1/2" tube I wanted to try something.


I was thinking about putting a "T" off my durso drain line and attach a ball valve to it that is then in turn stepped down to my 1/2" vinyl tubing in a 10' lenght. When it's time I put the 1/2" tube that's connected to the drain line, open the ball valve and I'm hoping it will automatically start the siphon because of the suction on the drain (it's durso). I can then vacuum until the cows come home because the drain line goes directly into my filter sock catching the detritus.


Thoughts? Should there be suction on my drain line?

I do have a garage sump that's about 1" lower than the bottom of my tank and my return is a Reeflo Snapper so the flow/drain is fairly powerful.

 

[Dans85]

That is an excellent idea! I'm tagging along for this one.

 

[cham]

Correction: I meant my sump is 1' below the bottom of my tank stand (not 1"). The overall height is about 6' from my sump to the top of my tank where the hose would start siphon.

 

[cdjim]

Sounds good

 

[soulpatch]

I simply use an aquarium vac that is a small pump that sucks water up and through a mesh bag. Much like you are looking to do but a lot less cumbersome and without the need to mess with the current plumbing.

 

[Shawn O]

Good idea. I would run it off of my return pump. T the return pipe, run this to another T. From the side of that t add a barb fitting for the nylon hose and the other end of the T running to my filter sock. The suction at the T from the return pump water going through it should suck up the detritus and pump it to your sock, providing you can get enough flow and suction.