Sand removal?

phi delt reefer · #1 08-04-2011, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

I have used a cheap large pump with a hose on the intake and a filter sock on the outlet. Suck up the sand/ water with the pump and the filter sock attached to the outlet will catch the sand. It has been my most effective attempt to remove the sand.

what micron rating was the sock? I find the sugar sand has a lot of "dust" that gets through and into everything and anything

BlueTang<3 · #2 08-04-2011, 03:37 AM

I think 100 they were useless for the tank as the would clog in hrs. It defiantly was not ideal but i got the sand from my frag tank.

Aquattro · #3 08-04-2011, 04:14 AM

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 · #4 08-04-2011, 05:05 AM

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 · #5 08-04-2011, 05:10 AM

Quote:

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 · #6 08-04-2011, 05:15 AM

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 · #7 08-04-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

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 · #8 08-04-2011, 05:39 AM

Quote:

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.