Vacuming sand substrate

[jonny_ftm]

Hi,

It's the first time I use a sand substrate, the Flourite Black Sand. I noticed that it is impossible to vacume it like a gravel and no way to stir the substrate while you vacume it. Is this substrate a source for organics sedimentation and later problems?

[Biollante]

Hi,

It's the first time I use a sand substrate, the Flourite Black Sand. I noticed that it is impossible to vacume it like a gravel and no way to stir the substrate while you vacume it. Is this substrate a source for organics sedimentation and later problems?

Hi Jonny,

Yes, sand substrates need cleaning, in my always humble opinion.

I use a vacuum with a relatively larger opening and a body with a greater volume. This allows the sand to swirl and settle back down.

I tend to work slowly and do smaller percentage of the tank each time. I use a glass stirrer and a bamboo skewer (something with a little 'flex') to stir the sand and work up next to the edges while hovering the vacuum over the area being stirred.

Biollante

[Tom Barr]

I just squeeze the siphon tube to reduce the suction to reduce any sand from being sucked up.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[jonny_ftm]

Thank you both, I'll use the squeeze way, sounds practical. Eventually, I'll put sort of a tap on the tube to definately adapt the flow