Does anyone else periodically get burned out on tank maintenance?

[MrJG]

I agree that sounds awesome! I tried one of the turnkey return “gravel vacuums” once and it was total garbage. Sent it back the next day.
@Naturescapes_Rocco have you detailed the part list for this in one of your journals already?

 

[JayP]

It's just a Netlea Prefilter (Large G2 size), with a lily pipe outflow for hooking the return hose on to the rim of my tank, and and inflow is just an open 5/8" vinyl tubing into the prefilter. I connect tubing from the prefilter to an Oase Optimax inline pump.

My setup above has it's pros and cons. The cons are; 1. The inline strainer is smaller than I would like, and 2. There's not a good way to control the suction power of the diaphragm pump. Putting a valve on the pump output doesn't work very well. I imagine you can dial the optimax pump down a bit to get the suction right where you want it. On the other hand, the diaphragm pump self primes. I assume you have to manually prime your setup each time? If doing that isn't too much trouble, I'd definitely consider your setup before mine for substrate vacuuming.

 

[Rob23]

I recreated Rocco's setup and love it. Whenever I decide to do a really deep gravel vacuum session, I just disconnect the lilly pipe that normally feeds into the prefilter and connect my gravel vacuum hose in place of it. By using quick disconnects, there is no need to reprime the system. @JayP , as for controlling the suction, I just dial down my Jebao pump to its lowest speed and crimp the gravel vacuum hose with my hand to control the flow just as if I were using a traditional siphon. It really is a great tool. Thanks @Naturescapes_Rocco for the idea!

 

[JayP]

I recreated Rocco's setup and love it. Whenever I decide to do a really deep gravel vacuum session, I just disconnect the lilly pipe that normally feeds into the prefilter and connect my gravel vacuum hose in place of it. By using quick disconnects, there is no need to reprime the system. @JayP , as for controlling the suction, I just dial down my Jebao pump to its lowest speed and crimp the gravel vacuum hose with my hand to control the flow just as if I were using a traditional siphon. It really is a great tool. Thanks @Naturescapes_Rocco for the idea!

OK, maybe I misunderstood Rocco's post. I thought he was describing a stand-alone prefilter and pump just for the vacuuming. It sounds like you're using the prefilter and pump that's always running on your tank and just rerouting the filter input between the tank intake and a vacuum hose. I'm planning to move to the "Rocco" prefilter setups on upcoming tanks, so that sounds like a good plan.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Love the closed loop tank cleaning concept. I get great satisfaction from vacuuming but I find that it makes my WC’s inconsistent. Has anyone seen this cool little vacuum on Etsy? https://www.etsy.com/shop/UnderwaterGardens

 

[Koan]

Has anyone seen this cool little vacuum on Etsy

As a matter of fact I've tried it

I will say the build quality of the 3D printed shell is spot on and his customer service is outstanding, the guy is great to work with.

However it is way too strong for aquasoil. Instantaneously jams it's nozzle full of bits and tears through the internal filter sponge, no matter how careful you are. At least it was a no-hassle return.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

As a matter of fact I've tried it

I will say the customer service is outstanding, the guy is great to work with.

However it is way too strong for aquasoil.

Instantaneously jams it's nozzle full of bits and tears through the internal filter sponge, no matter how careful you are. At least it was a no hassle return.

Do you think it needed a stronger/coarser sponge?

 

[Koan]

Do you think it needed a stronger/coarser sponge?

So it has two sponges. One very thin cover glued over the internal opening of the nozzle, to keep fish and shrimp out, and then the big coarse 50 PPI internal sponge to hold the gunk as the water goes back into the tank.

It would be a great tool if the internal pump was maybe a quarter of the strength it is. I'm sure it's outstanding for vacuuming goldfish gravel

Sure it could work if you kept it completely separate from the substrate and just poofed dirt up with a turkey baster, but then what's the point of a nozzle. And it's still fat and clunky to work around hardscape with, so the first time you bump something and accidentally touch the aqua soil you've jammed it full of soil.

I really wanted it to work, and I talked with the guy about trying a weaker pump but he wasn't into it.

 

[SingAlongWithTsing]

Eh maintenance is is kinda easy for me. Just a hose attached to a utility pump and I run the hose into the backyard and water the trees and outdoor potted plants . Filling process is just a diy pvc spray bar attached to the garden house.

Finding a reason to stay in the hobby is harder for me tbh. Hardscape prices and finding aquascape layout inspirations are the main issues.