DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

For those of us not running a bb tank, cleaning the sand in our displays is a slow process, especially in large ones. After a couple battles with a normal siphon style gravel vac,I decided to diy my own version.

First off since my tank is on the main floor and the sump is in the basement, I wanted it to filter and then return the clean water back into the display. So that means a pump.
Second, a valve to control the amount suction.
Third, at least 100 micron filtration, and it all needs to be mobile.

I looked at regular canister filters and found that any sand would be sent through the pump which would destroy it, not to mention most of the bigger ones also carry a big price tag!
So here.is a parts list and some pics for anybody wanting one of their own.

5 gal food grade bucket. HD
Gamma lid for 5 gal bucket also HD
Pump of choice mine is a Sicce unit with threaded in and output
1” bulkhead adapted to fit input of pump
barb fitting for pump output
Python Hook& valve
Python gravel vac tube or similar
Here are pics to avoid a thousand words. And a couple of the vac in operation

More pics. The rolling dolly for it is just plywood with Harbor Freight castors.
If anybody has questions please ask I’d be happy to help.

Great idea. I was looking for a water vac for my pond and this just make sense! Don't mind if I steal this.

Thanks for sharing. Really nice idea and execution.

off topic, but what is the discus left of the yellow one? and is that an alanquer left of the red PB?

I like that it's an operation done separate from the water change..... in that you can vacuum until your heart is content and not sweat low water level, etc.... the aquarium just continues to operate as normal. Very nice solution Mark!

Thanks for taking time to take a look. I usually run the vac, let the overflow clear the display, and then do a normal water change from my sump.

As far as the fish in the pics, my wife took it with a cellphone so quality is not great, but the yellow one is the Alenquer and the one to it’s left is a upset Penang Eruption I think. There are better pics of the fish in my tank journal
“ Sweetwater Reef”

I love that I'll buy it from you

Very interesting mark. I will definitely borrow some ideas form your design. How much sand do you suck up and return to the tank on a typical vacuum ? Thnaks for sharing.

I’m using a 4” filter sock which usually ends up with maybe a cup and a half of sand in it. Since I have a bit more sand than I planned on I have been tossing it for now but it could be dumped back in.