Hello From Airdrie...cleaning Sand

[Gustifer05]

Hello eveyone and Merry Christmas!

Cleaning sand substrate...any ideas? Best cleaners for fresh water tank w cichlids and a pleco?

Thanks

Justin

[ckmullin]

Hello and Merry Christmas.

Are you looking for a physical device to clean substrate? If that is what your after just grab a common gravel vac head...get some hose from Home depot and a venturi pump ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4061037&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInCA%2FNo ). Make your own setup and save 50% from retail costs for those over priced 'python vacs'.

If you looking for creature get a colony of MTS going.

Edited December 24, 2013 by ckmullin

[Hippoherder]

+1 on the Malaysian trumpet snails. They are great for sand as they burrow and dig through it. They breed like crazy though. A vacuum is also good, you just need to practice a little so you don't siphon the sand out. It's easy.

[Jayba]

Both posts are correct. I use a jimmy rigged Python, I dont use a pump, just gravity.

One advantage of the snails is that if say, your filter packs it in. You will notice that suddenly the snails are all on the glass heading for the surface. A great visual cue.

If their numbers get out of control, simply sift the sand with a strainer and toss the ones you catch in the garbage.

[Gustifer05]

Thank you very much for your insightful thoughts everyone!

Hope Santa was good to you all!

Merry Christmas