Best way to clear out sandbed ?

[joeyttk]

I being selling off my live rocks and corals to clear the way to switch from marine to fresh water-planted tank.

My tank is on a cupboard that is 1m high, it is 3ft deep. So I need to stand on ladder, bend over and balance on the edge of the tank to reach the bottom.

What will be the best way to suck out the whole sand bed ?I am thinking of either doing the manual scooping method (which will break my back) or borrow some industry pump to suck all out.. any suggestions ?


*note, still have live rock. Will clear sand and start decomm only after rocks and livestocks are sold off. pm me for cheap sale*

[bryan]

Siphon as much out as you can along with the water. Then put a pail in the tank, shovel in the remainder and hoist up pail by pail. Or you can keep refilling water and siphoning.

[joeyttk]

siphoning doesnt seems to be strong enough to suck up the sand

[uklau]

Joey, with the height of your tank & with the pail on the floor, siphoning by using 16/22mm hose should be strong enough. I used that to siphon my gravel out.

[joeyttk]

thanks! will try that

[AA24]

hey.. hope to see your tank when fully planted out.. I have never had a tank 3ft deep.. gotto be great.. cheers..

oh.. I think you gonna end up scooping.. esp if you got lots of sand.. last time I had to vacate a tank.. ended up scratching it.. quite bad on the base glass.. lucky not on the side .. BUT I would definitely try siphoning it first.. best of luck..

what kind of planted scape are you planning..??..