Sand removal?

[Aquattro]

Problem with the sock idea is that I'd have to empty it every 15 seconds, which means stopping the siphon and managing the sock with 1 hand If I could find a really large one?? hmmm

[lastlight]

When I've removed sand before as part of a water change it siphons out with zero mess. I'd suggest not doing it all at once. You can suck a ton of sand out if you're doing a 40% change.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by lastlight

When I've removed sand before as part of a water change it siphons out with zero mess. I'd suggest not doing it all at once. You can suck a ton of sand out if you're doing a 40% change.

Ya, but I use a long hose to the tub, and 50 pounds of sand might clog the drain :P
Ideally, I'd like to remove sand with siphon, return water to the tank, repeat, until all the sand is gone. Ideally...

[lastlight]

You might just have to suck it up and revert back to 5g at a time with a short hose and bucket next to the tank =) The stuff in the sand is likely going to be extremely fine (and maybe nutrient rich or contain gasses I dunno). I'd want sand plus water/particulates/gas instantly out in one fell swoop.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by lastlight

You might just have to suck it up and revert back to 5g at a time with a short hose and bucket next to the tank =)

Well, ya, that's the correct answer, just not an answer I want to entertain just yet -lol

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by lastlight

You might just have to suck it up and revert back to 5g at a time with a short hose and bucket next to the tank =) The stuff in the sand is likely going to be extremely fine (and maybe nutrient rich or contain gasses I dunno). I'd want sand plus water/particulates/gas instantly out in one fell swoop.

+1, sorry Brad but yeah just suck it up (The sand that is, I don't know why you think I would mean anything else by that.)

Sand into the bucket or a rubbermaid until it's full, then refill with clean water, repeat the next day. Disturbing the sand bed is a dangerous risky endeavour. Get it out as cleanly as you can.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

(The sand that is, I don't know why you think I would mean anything else by that.)

you did see who posted the comment, right??

I guess it's the only real way. I'm not concerned with gases, the sand is fairly shallow and well turned over by the wrasses (the problem to begin with)

[Delphinus]

Well, originally I had typed "suck it up, princess" but decided against it .. but I kept the disclaimer. Because "suck it up" sometimes means, you know, suck it up, and not, suck it up. You know. So in this case, suck up the sand, suck it up with the bucket, I know it sucks, but you can do it.