AquaticSuppliers.com     Golden State Discus

Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

  1. #1
    Registered Member Cove Beach's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Sheffield Lake Ohio
    Posts
    198
    Real Name
    Mark

    Cool 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

  2. #2
    Registered Member Cove Beach's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Sheffield Lake Ohio
    Posts
    198
    Real Name
    Mark

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    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.

  3. #3
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    882
    Real Name
    Armando

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

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

  4. #4
    Homesteader Adam S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Posts
    741

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    Thanks for sharing. Really nice idea and execution.

  5. #5
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    882
    Real Name
    Armando

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

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

  6. #6
    Gold Member FischAutoTechGarten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Green Valley, Arizona, USA
    Posts
    1,231
    Real Name
    Peter

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    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!
    Peter
    Cuerpo en Green Valley, Arizona, USA y Corazón en Alamos, Sonora, Mexico

    learning never stops

  7. #7
    Registered Member Cove Beach's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Sheffield Lake Ohio
    Posts
    198
    Real Name
    Mark

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    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”

  8. #8
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    western north carolina
    Posts
    118
    Real Name
    Combo Nations

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    I love that I'll buy it from you

  9. #9
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    52

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    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.

  10. #10
    Registered Member Cove Beach's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Sheffield Lake Ohio
    Posts
    198
    Real Name
    Mark

    Default Re: DIY Powered Gravel Vac “ Sand Hog”

    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.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Cafepress