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hello everyone!

Ive seen the python no spill thing, but i didnt really fancy paying the prices, quite skint at the mo, ive got a old power head from when i use to use a UGF, i was thinking that if i put this in a bucket, attached it to a length of hose, i could use this to drain off water for water changes...? But then i started thinking about cleaning the surface of the sand too, would this ruin my power head if i started picking up debris / poop off the sand? is there another way? would just using a hose work, ive read something about gravity taking control!?

what does everyone else use? is there a easy diy method?

Gravel-vacs are really expensive around here, so I made my own. I got a bit of clear plastic tubing (maybe 8mm?) and a 600mL plastic bottle. Cut the bottom off the bottle, drilled a hole in the lid and put the tubing through. Ta-da! Home-made gravel-vac.

When I clean the other tank with sand in it, all I have to do is unscrew the bottle and syphon the gunk off the top of the sand.

But I have to carry the water in buckets, and others might have better ideas.

DIY Python

I've heard it's best to use an older hose instead of buying new, as there's sometimes some residue in new hoses. Don't quote me on that, though. Besides, that would make your project cheaper! It shouldn't be terribly hard to create your own python for relatively cheap, as that link shows.

Never tried it myself, personally. Thusfar, I'm content to clean out my two tanks with a normal syphon. When I get more tanks, I'll prolly wind up making one.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

But then i started thinking about cleaning the surface of the sand too, would this ruin my power head...

Yes you do have to be a bit careful when it comes to sand. As I type this I can hear the filter on one of the office tanks. Somehow, even with keeping the intake far off the surface of the sand I've managed to scratch the impellor shaft enough that the thing makes way too much noise. I'm not sure how you might be able to do a modification to your DIY python to get it to not pick up the sand, but get the poo. I suppose if you have everything lying around already and don't mind losing the powerhead in the process it might be worth a go, personally I'd stick with just a regular gravel vac.

^_^

What I do is attach my gravel vac to a normal hose and bring the hose outside. Then I siphon everything into my mom's gardens. It works really good for me

excellent thanks for all your input... i think i might have a go at that diy python, should keep me amused for a while

i think i'll be carefull with my power head, just incase i need to use it for future tanks as i plan on more when i get this little baby down to a fine art