Vacuum?

Lighting, filtration etc
Post Reply
User avatar
Jim Miller
Posts: 940
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Parkton, MD
Contact:

Vacuum?

Post by Jim Miller »

I fear I'm becoming compulsive about my tank now that it's starting to look better but at the risk of complete surrender to this compulsion I've decided that I should finally clean the substrate a bit. Since this is a bottom drain tank I don't have any pumps or hoses over the side. Is there something other than siphon into a bucket that someone could recommend for a vacuum?

I figure this is no more than a couple of times a year thing, so perhaps siphon into the bucket might be best but open to suggestions.

Thanks

Jim
User avatar
tug
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:02 pm
Real Name: Mike
Location: Washington, DC

Re: Vacuum?

Post by tug »

Siphon into two buckets? :P
Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association
Mixed with the sound of water's murmuring
a sensitive plant in a garden grows.
User avatar
krisw
Site Admin
Posts: 7100
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:25 pm
Real Name: Kris Weinhold

Re: Vacuum?

Post by krisw »

Unless you have a drain to siphon into, buckets are probably best bet. Especially since you're likely to suck up something (substrate, plants, shrimp, fish, etc) that you would want to retrieve from the bucket.
User avatar
Jim Miller
Posts: 940
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Parkton, MD
Contact:

Re: Vacuum?

Post by Jim Miller »

Kris, good point on the oops factor!

Thanks

Jim
User avatar
Aaron
Posts: 3647
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:18 pm
Location: Woodstock, MD

Re: Vacuum?

Post by Aaron »

Buckets are the way to go for deep cleans. I flush it down the toilet rather than put it down the smaller sink drain. Also, like Kris said, the oops factor comes into play.
User avatar
krisw
Site Admin
Posts: 7100
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:25 pm
Real Name: Kris Weinhold

Re: Vacuum?

Post by krisw »

Really, the only other option I've seen is if you're able to run a line outside to the yard, and drain that way. You can put a screen on output to catch the oopsies, but make sure to check right away, or the oppsies turn into deadsies. ;-)
User avatar
Jim Miller
Posts: 940
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Parkton, MD
Contact:

Re: Vacuum?

Post by Jim Miller »

Siphon and bucket are now on my list.

Thanks!

jim
User avatar
Aaron
Posts: 3647
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 11:18 pm
Location: Woodstock, MD

Re: Vacuum?

Post by Aaron »

I just use an old piece of tubing.
User avatar
Jim Miller
Posts: 940
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Parkton, MD
Contact:

Re: Vacuum?

Post by Jim Miller »

Aaron

I'll try that!

jim
Post Reply

Sponsors