This has been on my mind for a long time now never got around to the fabrication due to pump size and filter micron. Thank you for the info and demonstration.
I have been looking for a better way of cleaning my sand bed as well. I was considering using a small canister filter with a gavel vacuum attached. I just happened to come across this video and I actually compared pricing and this is the cheaper option for me. I have ordered some of the parts to complete the DIY. I really appreciate the info. Thank you Devon.
I just wanted to provide an update. I did put one of these together. To simplify the build a little bit, I bought an Aqueon gravel vac. from Petco since it came with the clear vinyl tubing and the clear acrylic tubing for a reasonable price. I assembled it exactly like yours. I wanted to see how well the filter was removing the debris from the sand so I was pumping the water back into the display. This caused priming issues since the return hose was about equal with the inlet. I was able to get it working sufficiently. I am very pleased with how well this worked. Nothing was being put back into the display. Next time I use it i will put the return line into the sump. I am sure this will improve the priming & siphoning a ton. Again thank you Devon. Much appreciated.
Iv used an old canister filter for years, fill it with filter floss, traps all the dirt & keeps circling water back into the tank. I leave it running for about and hour after disturbing the bed to polish the water water clean. I disconnect and clean the cannister out. Very straight forward and saves wasting water and xleans the tank better
Yeh I've tried absolutely loads of way of doing basically this over the years to clean the crud from my bare bottom tanks & I'd guess a canister is probably the best.
thinking of the same or making one of these. does the canister filter pump keep up with siphon? do you put in back in the sump or the DT? how much filter floss do you use?
@@devachapman6315 i fill every chamber in the canister with floss. Once im done i remove canister, clean it out and put into strange until I want to use it again
i can't seem to find the 1/2 inch to 1/2 inch coupler between the pump and filter housing. i can find brass but not PVC. Can you tell me where i can get that?
Love this diy idea. I bought all the pieces you recommended but where did you get the part that connected the clear pipe to the 1/2” hose which you used the screw right ring to tighten the clear pipe to? Happy reefing!
What a great idea! I was literally just using an old maxi jet 1200 for the same purpose and worked quite nicely! But sicce are definitely better more reliable pumps. The timing of this video was uncanny for me! :)
Great idea. Between the collection tube and the hose you used a rubber 'boot' with eh clamps you mentioned. But actually it looks like its 2 separate boots. What were the sizes and can you please include a link to those as well? Thank you -
Thanks for posting, excellent idea and definitely planning on doing this. Will mount the RO filter in my hidden "plumbing jungle" with a hose or PVC going to the sump instead of placing it inside but other than that you streamlined my tank maintenance a bit more.
@@ReefDudes fair enough but i thought the whole idea of a tool like this was you could vacuum the sand without removing water so you can maintain the sandbed without changing water like an old school syphon would when doing water changes
I do this with water changes and it dosnt seem to pull anything up but the sand and then if it dosnt clog the top of it the sand just falls back down and i dont feel like its pulling any detritus up. Is it important to do just to circulate the sand bed if not thing else? I used to do the whole bed with my turkey baster in my ten gallon but i was pulling out so much milky white stuff that I stooped doing it because i thought I might be pulling up beneficial bacteria since that stuff in a bottle is milky white. I have also heard some people say not to disturb sand bed because It could release a harmful gas or something but no way can I let it go because it starts to look to nasty!
Wonder how I could do this if I had an AIO and no sump. I really need to clean my sand and I’ve tried the filter sock but like you said the hose come out and it wasn’t fun using it.
What barb did you use on the sicce pump to connect to the filter inlet? It doesnt look like anything can attach to the pump itself. I don't have one, I have others and so far I haven't been able to connect a barb to the front of any of the pumps except my mini sicce that came with a changable front. It isn't strong enough to pull through the filter.
Please update is in the future of how long one of those membranes lasts. My sump is in the basement so I have been trying to find simple ways to suck detritus out of display without using buckets. Testing another prototype when my daughter goes down for a nap!
Will do! it was still flowing pretty good after i spent quite a while vaccuming. I gave it a rinse in the sink after to get all the big bits last so i think it may actually last quite a while
Quick question, the link on Amazon for that pump doesn’t have threads for a fitting. On the top yes, but looks like maybe a cover. But did you have to silicone something to the pump so the fit would thread in?
I was thing to use 3 of the RO filters 1 with 5 microns, another with 30 microns, and the last with Carbon… My question is the Carbon filter is it the same type of carbon used in the Fluval system?
Thanks for creating this useful tool. I ordered everything per your parts list and I assume I will still need the rubber adapter from the local Home Depot. What is the cap you used on the rubber adapter to connect the threaded barb to?
The tank doesn’t get as many water changes as it used to. Lately I Just do an actual water change every few months and clean my sand bed at that time. If I re build it I would likely use a smaller tube that’s easier to prime and get it going. Otherwise it worked well. If you have a sump you prob don’t need the pump once gravity has things flowing but never hurts
I normally have the filter roller for that.. I have been holding off adapting my plumbing because i have a new sump in the works.. sadly its been a bit delayed with everything going on in the world.. hopefully soon!
@@ReefDudes but you are drawing up the built-up nitrates/phosphates from the bed and dropping it back into the tank. yes you are removing junk, but you are disturbing the bed. it has always been recommended to remove the water that is draw from the bed in order to prevent spikes
So i got all the equipment just need that boot. When looking for it at lowes, home depot or ace, what am I looking for, or what is it I get so that I may re-purpose it ? Thanks !
Good question. if i recall it was 1.0 or 1.5 i belive, if you take out the front bit it had threads which i used to attached to a 1/2" threaded fitting.
Hi there, please help me... I want to clean my sand bed, but ive got red sea ultra fine sand, so even if i take a airline tube with suction, it will pick up the sand... Ive got a big siphon, but still the same problem with sand being sucked in, i cant even squeeze the tube or else no dirt at all gets sucked out... What should i do?
@@ReefDudes i never tried a ball valve, should work hopefully👍 but i learnt my lesson now to never buy ultra fine sand as i cant even use my power heads at low flow, any suggestions for that? Its the whole reason i have to siphon the sand as all the algae sits there. And i cant put the powerheads down or else its a sandstorm
Not sure how you would test how clean it is.. but I do like to give the sand a good vacuum once in a while as I feel it prevents long term build up/ issue way down the road.
I like it!!! I do the same except through a filter bag stuffed with floss but some detritus tends to make it through and into the sump. Might have to try this little DIY project. Thanks for sharing.
First you introduce me to filter rollers and I repurpose my filter socks for sandbed filtering....now this hack. What do you suggest I re-purpose my old filter sock for the 3rd time. 😆
Perfect. I was cheap and connected pump directly to a micron filter and dropped it into the tank overnight with awesome results too. With a sump it would be even easier. 5micron for ultra polishing , one $5 per event. The bigger whole house filter cartridges of maybe 20 to 30 micron last alot longer and may be cleaned for a few uses. Much better than filter socks, no effect on water level or water flow. Never thought of this application so I may purchase the casing to make it super tidy. Thanks.
I may try this on my smaller system. I am a bare bottom guy, but I have a small mixed reef tank that I am leaning toward adding sand. I also have a few RO canisters hanging around and more importantly, I have the same exact pump you used! This is a great idea man!
I normally use filter rollers to catch all the stuff on the drain lines to keep the sump clean! Works for polishing water but then i never vacuum the sand since starting to do AWC. so the manual method :P
Most of it you can prob find at the hardware store :) The clear tube is prob the only tricky one.. someone else had a good suggestion about using florescent light tube protectors.
funny I was thinking of doing this with a 6 stage canister filter with a UV light. I wonder if poly fill tightly stuffed in the canister would work as good or better or maybe a pre-filter?
I really like the idea so I sent away for all the parts. My plan is to use it to cleanout my sump. Will attach a return hose and keep assembly out of sump during use. They just arrived and I put it together with one exception. The .5 pump, doesn't seem like it will physically hold the 1/2" threaded nipple without the pumps side assembly disconnecting. It is as thought the disk that the nipple screws into which sits over the impeller, isn't held in place tight enough. I see you screwing the pump to the nipple no problem, but my .5 pump disk that the nipple screws into doesn't stay in place. Any thought? Thanks.
@@ReefDudes I purchased a 1/2" threaded coupler from BRS. It fits the reactor and the pump. The issue is that the disk on the pump side isn't held tightly in place in the pump and cannot reliably use this way. Could it be the .5 pump is defective? I would have expected the disk (covers the impeller) would rotate and be held in place but it doesn't have that kind of locking mechanism.
@@ReefDudes Figured out the problem (ME!). The assembly that has the "dial" to control the flow has to be taken apart and the ring put back on the pump to hold that disk in place. Duh! Thanks for your input. Once last question, that .5 is really tiny, do you think trading up to the 1.0 makes sense to use for a sump vac?
would this filter not clog extremely fast? i use a 200 micron filter sock to vacuum my sand bed and it gets half way to 3/4ths clogged up by the time im done on my 4ft long 90G. I cant imagine how fast 15micron filter would clog up
I cleaned a good chunk of my sand bed with the string filter and it was still going strong! I suspect i would get a few uses out of it (with rinsing after each use)
Hello bud, another great video of DIY project, I use the EHIME green canister filter for this and to polish the water, I use 20 micron felt and filter pads for this job, only difference in mine is that water comes in on the botom of the filter and goes up to the pump and pump pushes water out, if i have to clean i shut valves on the input and output of the filters and clean it out, g
Great idea 💡 going to try it. Haven’t heard back from Australia 🇦🇺 have you done anything with Van at T. G’s maybe on systems and corals. He’s got a pretty sweet setup going on.
@@ReefDudes So the 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 reducer is a rubber piece that has clamps (from home depot), then I got a 1 1/2 PVC reducer with a female threaded 1/2 inch. Worked easy peasy.
I saw this & thought it was a great idea. I bought everything I needed. Bought a python vacuum tube with included hose, then the fittings & Sicce 0.5 pump. Unfortunately I have an all in 1 & this pump is not powerful enough even when primed. I believe it would definitely work if I had a sump. Great idea but I am going to need a more powerful pump to get this achieved. Thanks for the idea!
@Lefty left Did you successfully get things to work on your All in One? Curious which higher flow rate pump you ended up using? I’m considering building one and plan to use it to also vacuum clean my sump (won’t have the siphon to assist with flow). Sicce 1.0 or 1.5 perhaps?
tube diameter is larger, I use plastic tube that they sell at Lowes to project t5. they are great in size in length and diameter and most importantly they are very inexpensive..
Great idea! After you rinse off the filter you can bleach the finer parts and use the filter over & over. Just use Prime or air dry in the sun to remove the bleach. Love your DYI side!
Watched your video and built a filter myself. Problem is my sand is very fine which brings me to my question. Do you think vacuuming out the old sand and filtering the water back into the tank will cause any issue with nutrient spikes? I too am using a 1 micron filter.
I used a 50 micron filter.. I did not experience any issues.. that being said if you havent vaccumed you sand in years you would want to proceed more cautiously and do a small area each time
Love it. I would only add a valve in case you need to slow the water some to keep the sand from making it to the top or stop the water for an emergency. I will definitely be doing this. Thank you for this brilliant idea.
@@harkinsaquatics That little sicce rocks! The filter was caked with stuff and still passing water.. 50micron for the win! I gave it a rinse after and it looks decently clean. I bet i can get a ton of uses out of it
@@harkinsaquatics IT was still flowing pretty good when i finished up after 20 min or so.. I rinsed it after and i bet i could use it many many times :)
Ok, so I've received all my products and adapters to set this up. However, one minor "glitch" I cannot figure out. On the Sicce pump on the side where you put the threaded adapter to attach to the canister, when you remove the outer cover to get to said threaded area there is a locking cap that currently keeps the magnetic parts in place so they don't pop out. However, in order to get to the threaded union area I have to remove that locking cap (not the bigger outer part, although that must be removed temporarily as well, but the inner locking part) and thread it in. Although I put the outer "lid" (for a lack of terminology) and lock it in place it still allows the magnetic "head" area to slip out every time I barely touch or move the unit around. Even when I'm threading in the adapter the magnetic spindle area pops out....every time. Extremely frustrated. I had contemplated using my multi tool to cut the inner locking head off so I can feed the threaded adapter into/through the unit, as it does not have a removable top/piece in order to access the threaded area, however, I hate to alter this expensive little pump if there is something I'm missing. How do you keep yours locked into place and not keep popping out? Thanks for any suggestions you can send my way.
Just bought all the parts to make this for my WB 65.4 AIO. Cant wait to try it our! Thanks for the awesome video!
This has been on my mind for a long time now never got around to the fabrication due to pump size and filter micron. Thank you for the info and demonstration.
Happy to help!
If you don't have a sump you can put a tube from the pump on the reactor back into the tank.
You could
I have been looking for a better way of cleaning my sand bed as well. I was considering using a small canister filter with a gavel vacuum attached. I just happened to come across this video and I actually compared pricing and this is the cheaper option for me. I have ordered some of the parts to complete the DIY. I really appreciate the info. Thank you Devon.
I just wanted to provide an update. I did put one of these together. To simplify the build a little bit, I bought an Aqueon gravel vac. from Petco since it came with the clear vinyl tubing and the clear acrylic tubing for a reasonable price. I assembled it exactly like yours. I wanted to see how well the filter was removing the debris from the sand so I was pumping the water back into the display. This caused priming issues since the return hose was about equal with the inlet. I was able to get it working sufficiently. I am very pleased with how well this worked. Nothing was being put back into the display. Next time I use it i will put the return line into the sump. I am sure this will improve the priming & siphoning a ton. Again thank you Devon. Much appreciated.
This is a smashing idea. What’s the black part that’s on top of the tube where you connected the elbow to?
Brilliant! This may have an application as a water polisher as well.
What’s the black part that gets attached to the 36in tube ?
Iv used an old canister filter for years, fill it with filter floss, traps all the dirt & keeps circling water back into the tank. I leave it running for about and hour after disturbing the bed to polish the water water clean. I disconnect and clean the cannister out. Very straight forward and saves wasting water and xleans the tank better
Yeh I've tried absolutely loads of way of doing basically this over the years to clean the crud from my bare bottom tanks & I'd guess a canister is probably the best.
thinking of the same or making one of these. does the canister filter pump keep up with siphon? do you put in back in the sump or the DT? how much filter floss do you use?
@@devachapman6315 i fill every chamber in the canister with floss. Once im done i remove canister, clean it out and put into strange until I want to use it again
i can't seem to find the 1/2 inch to 1/2 inch coupler between the pump and filter housing. i can find brass but not PVC. Can you tell me where i can get that?
Love this diy idea. I bought all the pieces you recommended but where did you get the part that connected the clear pipe to the 1/2” hose which you used the screw right ring to tighten the clear pipe to?
Happy reefing!
Same here hate when they don’t show everything
Could you provide the link for the top cap of the black reducer, pls?
It’s a flexible coupling from Home Depot. Don’t recall the exact size but found it done the plumbing idle by the abs pipes
Hi Reefdude, good idea. I try to make this DIY, for the coupling between the pump and the filter, which coupling did you use? Thanks
Hi Devon, please can you help me with the coupling? Thanks
Mate this is insanely
Smart thank you! Such an over looked idea.
What a great idea! I was literally just using an old maxi jet 1200 for the same purpose and worked quite nicely! But sicce are definitely better more reliable pumps. The timing of this video was uncanny for me! :)
Great idea, I’m thinking I definately need one, best sand cleaner I’ve ever seen 👍👍👍🙏
The pvc part that you use to connect the pump and the filter, is that one included with the pump??
Ah that grey fitting, its a 1/2 threaded connector from the sprinkler area at home depot.
Great idea. Between the collection tube and the hose you used a rubber 'boot' with eh clamps you mentioned. But actually it looks like its 2 separate boots. What were the sizes and can you please include a link to those as well? Thank you -
Thanks for posting, excellent idea and definitely planning on doing this. Will mount the RO filter in my hidden "plumbing jungle" with a hose or PVC going to the sump instead of placing it inside but other than that you streamlined my tank maintenance a bit more.
What did you use to connect the rubber fitting at the top of the vac tube and the 1/2" fitting?
Brilliant design, interested to know if its still something in use or youve redesigned or even use something else after a couple of years
Thanks! Honestly don’t do water changes too often these days. Once in a while.
@@ReefDudes fair enough but i thought the whole idea of a tool like this was you could vacuum the sand without removing water so you can maintain the sandbed without changing water like an old school syphon would when doing water changes
I do this with water changes and it dosnt seem to pull anything up but the sand and then if it dosnt clog the top of it the sand just falls back down and i dont feel like its pulling any detritus up. Is it important to do just to circulate the sand bed if not thing else? I used to do the whole bed with my turkey baster in my ten gallon but i was pulling out so much milky white stuff that I stooped doing it because i thought I might be pulling up beneficial bacteria since that stuff in a bottle is milky white. I have also heard some people say not to disturb sand bed because It could release a harmful gas or something but no way can I let it go because it starts to look to nasty!
Hey Devon, great video! Where did you get the black part that connects the PVP pipe to the 1/2 hose fitting? Thanks
The rubber boot? Was down the plumbing isle at Home Depot
Definitely will come in handy!
Wonder how I could do this if I had an AIO and no sump. I really need to clean my sand and I’ve tried the filter sock but like you said the hose come out and it wasn’t fun using it.
What barb did you use on the sicce pump to connect to the filter inlet? It doesnt look like anything can attach to the pump itself. I don't have one, I have others and so far I haven't been able to connect a barb to the front of any of the pumps except my mini sicce that came with a changable front. It isn't strong enough to pull through the filter.
If memory serves I believe it was Jsut a 1/2” threaded fitting
this is a great idea. did the pump come with the attachment to connect to the canister or is that something extra that you had to get?
I would like to know this as well. Did you figure it out?
The filter would it do a number of sand bed cleaning or just the one
many, i have rinsed it off after and re used the same filter a number of times
What way would you do it if you didn't have a sump under the tank?
You could make a little mount I hang it on the glass in tank. Use an rodi wall mount bracket abs possibly flip it upside down :)
Please update is in the future of how long one of those membranes lasts. My sump is in the basement so I have been trying to find simple ways to suck detritus out of display without using buckets. Testing another prototype when my daughter goes down for a nap!
Will do! it was still flowing pretty good after i spent quite a while vaccuming. I gave it a rinse in the sink after to get all the big bits last so i think it may actually last quite a while
Awesome. Can you please tell me the name of the black color part that fits into the rubber coupling.
abs 1.5" to 1/2 threaded adapter found it by the rubber coupler at home deal. ill see if i can find the part # for it when i go in next.
I did something similar with an old Magnum 350 Canister filter...water comes back in sump clean.
Beauty!
Quick question, the link on Amazon for that pump doesn’t have threads for a fitting. On the top yes, but looks like maybe a cover. But did you have to silicone something to the pump so the fit would thread in?
Unless they changed the design mine had threads.. i had to take out the front cover and pop out some inner piece to get to them.
@@diligaf To connect pump to canister i used a 1/2 threaded connector.. from sprinkler /pvc section at home depot
What is the rubber piece that connects the coupler to the hose?
I was thing to use 3 of the RO filters 1 with 5 microns, another with 30 microns, and the last with Carbon…
My question is the Carbon filter is it the same type of carbon used in the Fluval system?
Thanks for creating this useful tool. I ordered everything per your parts list and I assume I will still need the rubber adapter from the local Home Depot. What is the cap you used on the rubber adapter to connect the threaded barb to?
Yep that was another part from Home Depot in the same isle. Wasn’t sure what it was called to find it online and link to it
@@ReefDudes Thank you. I will look for it when I buy the rubber fitting. Thanks for the reply
Ok
Like everybody said , great idea and this is was 3 years ago so after these years you’re still have the same system or you modify it ?
The tank doesn’t get as many water changes as it used to. Lately I Just do an actual water change every few months and clean my sand bed at that time. If I re build it I would likely use a smaller tube that’s easier to prime and get it going. Otherwise it worked well. If you have a sump you prob don’t need the pump once gravity has things flowing but never hurts
Anyone else start to panic when he was cutting the clear pipe? Haha careful dude! Also, fantastic idea, I can't wait to try it!
Dev put a low micron sock on at the pump return help polish the water, you wont have as much crud going through cause of that first 50 micron
I normally have the filter roller for that.. I have been holding off adapting my plumbing because i have a new sump in the works.. sadly its been a bit delayed with everything going on in the world.. hopefully soon!
Since the water is not removed, does it raise nitrate or phosphates in the tank?
Technically it should help lower or atleast prevent it as your removing all the "junk" build up from your sand which causes no3/po4
@@ReefDudes but you are drawing up the built-up nitrates/phosphates from the bed and dropping it back into the tank. yes you are removing junk, but you are disturbing the bed. it has always been recommended to remove the water that is draw from the bed in order to prevent spikes
Really love this idea!
I have a bio-cube 32 gal all in one tank ,would this work without a sump? and if not is there another solution?
As long as you put the pump in tank. Just put a hose one it and let it dangle inside
Thanks!
I love this idea. Will try it out
So i got all the equipment just need that boot. When looking for it at lowes, home depot or ace, what am I looking for, or what is it I get so that I may re-purpose it ? Thanks !
Plumbing section by black pvc drain parts at Home Depot is where I found mine
@@ReefDudes Thanks ! I used a head from another gravel vacuum and works. Thx for the vid and idea.
Great video. I was in that thought process but never went through with it lol. Excellent job chief.
does anyone know what he used to attach the elbow onto the vacuum tube? I see the rubber boot but I dont know what he used for the lid?
It was just a bushing reducer. Slip ok outside to threaded to your barb size
so what pump didn't you use ? I'm looking at the sicce 1.5 .. I don't see how the return line hooks up
Good question. if i recall it was 1.0 or 1.5 i belive, if you take out the front bit it had threads which i used to attached to a 1/2" threaded fitting.
Since your putting more water into your sump, do you have to increase the power of your return pump temporarily? Otherwise won't it overflow?
The sump is big enough that i don’t think it’s an issue
Hi there, please help me... I want to clean my sand bed, but ive got red sea ultra fine sand, so even if i take a airline tube with suction, it will pick up the sand... Ive got a big siphon, but still the same problem with sand being sucked in, i cant even squeeze the tube or else no dirt at all gets sucked out... What should i do?
Pinching the hose to restrict it should work. or you can always add in a ball valve to tine tune the flow :)
@@ReefDudes i never tried a ball valve, should work hopefully👍 but i learnt my lesson now to never buy ultra fine sand as i cant even use my power heads at low flow, any suggestions for that? Its the whole reason i have to siphon the sand as all the algae sits there. And i cant put the powerheads down or else its a sandstorm
Great idea mate.
Would be interesting to get the water tested after to see how clean the return is. 🤙
Not sure how you would test how clean it is.. but I do like to give the sand a good vacuum once in a while as I feel it prevents long term build up/ issue way down the road.
I like it!!! I do the same except through a filter bag stuffed with floss but some detritus tends to make it through and into the sump. Might have to try this little DIY project. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome! i have tried that but i some how always make a mess of my floor (hose coming out) or it overflows the sock! this way 100% contained
First you introduce me to filter rollers and I repurpose my filter socks for sandbed filtering....now this hack. What do you suggest I re-purpose my old filter sock for the 3rd time. 😆
hahaha ill keep the wheels turning for you :P
So awesome, ask me when was the last time I cleaned my sand bed.....
lol my first time in 5-6 months
So when was the last time you cleaned your sand bed ?
@@ReefDudes probably at least a year and a half.
The pump I bought did not have the same fittings yours did. Any suggestions?
The threaded part? If I recall I had to pop off a front piece to get to it
Perfect. I was cheap and connected pump directly to a micron filter and dropped it into the tank overnight with awesome results too. With a sump it would be even easier. 5micron for ultra polishing , one $5 per event. The bigger whole house filter cartridges of maybe 20 to 30 micron last alot longer and may be cleaned for a few uses. Much better than filter socks, no effect on water level or water flow. Never thought of this application so I may purchase the casing to make it super tidy. Thanks.
Welcome! Sounds like you have a pretty good system too!
Very cool Dev, I will have to pick up some parts.
Super smart
Haha nice! I was just thinking about creating something like this. I clean pools and its the same concept! Love it man!
Long term how has this worked out?
I may try this on my smaller system. I am a bare bottom guy, but I have a small mixed reef tank that I am leaning toward adding sand. I also have a few RO canisters hanging around and more importantly, I have the same exact pump you used! This is a great idea man!
Perfect! your already almost there!
I love the look of sand and this is a great idea!
@@shawnsfishtanks4515 Thank you!
If you put hose on return, and return water back to DT, water level will stay same :] im using old canister filter to do same job
I normally use filter rollers to catch all the stuff on the drain lines to keep the sump clean! Works for polishing water but then i never vacuum the sand since starting to do AWC. so the manual method :P
Great stuff Deven! I'll be making one of these now if I can find the parts in the UK
Most of it you can prob find at the hardware store :) The clear tube is prob the only tricky one.. someone else had a good suggestion about using florescent light tube protectors.
That's AWESOME!!!! I'm Impressed!!! 😀
Why thank you! a bit of a pain to get the air out and initially prime it but after that its magical!
Great video and very ingenious way to clean the sand bed
Why thank you!
Looks great, would adding a little valve work so you didnt have to kink the hose to stop sucking up sand into the filter?
Do you see a nitrate or phosphate bump after using?
Can’t day I tested right after but I didn’t notice a difference in normal testing
I need info on adapting the tube using the rubber adapter. Part number and source?
Was a fitting I found at Home Depot in the black abs plumbing section
Best thing I have ever done 2 thumbs up mate
Thanks Russell! love to hear it!
Love this idea! Definitely going to try this for my new tank.
can you use a larger pump? I have a sicce 1.5. What if you just fill a carbon filter with filter floss then place into housing?
funny I was thinking of doing this with a 6 stage canister filter with a UV light. I wonder if poly fill tightly stuffed in the canister would work as good or better or maybe a pre-filter?
Awsome loved the idea ,gona give that a try.thank you ,you come up with the coolest ideas .
Random sparks of creativity! haha thank you!
I really like the idea so I sent away for all the parts. My plan is to use it to cleanout my sump. Will attach a return hose and keep assembly out of sump during use. They just arrived and I put it together with one exception. The .5 pump, doesn't seem like it will physically hold the 1/2" threaded nipple without the pumps side assembly disconnecting. It is as thought the disk that the nipple screws into which sits over the impeller, isn't held in place tight enough. I see you screwing the pump to the nipple no problem, but my .5 pump disk that the nipple screws into doesn't stay in place. Any thought? Thanks.
I jsit used a little 1/2” threaded a coupler from the sprinkler section at Home Depot. Threaded In perfectly to both the canister and the sicce pump.
@@ReefDudes I purchased a 1/2" threaded coupler from BRS. It fits the reactor and the pump. The issue is that the disk on the pump side isn't held tightly in place in the pump and cannot reliably use this way. Could it be the .5 pump is defective? I would have expected the disk (covers the impeller) would rotate and be held in place but it doesn't have that kind of locking mechanism.
@@ReefDudes Figured out the problem (ME!). The assembly that has the "dial" to control the flow has to be taken apart and the ring put back on the pump to hold that disk in place. Duh! Thanks for your input. Once last question, that .5 is really tiny, do you think trading up to the 1.0 makes sense to use for a sump vac?
You come up so many cool things love your videos have learned so much from you thanks
Happy to hear my efforts help! 🙏
You are always quite clever and full of good ideas.
Why thank you 🤓😎
would this filter not clog extremely fast? i use a 200 micron filter sock to vacuum my sand bed and it gets half way to 3/4ths clogged up by the time im done on my 4ft long 90G. I cant imagine how fast 15micron filter would clog up
I cleaned a good chunk of my sand bed with the string filter and it was still going strong! I suspect i would get a few uses out of it (with rinsing after each use)
Hello bud, another great video of DIY project, I use the EHIME green canister filter for this and to polish the water, I use 20 micron felt and filter pads for this job, only difference in mine is that water comes in on the botom of the filter and goes up to the pump and pump pushes water out, if i have to clean i shut valves on the input and output of the filters and clean it out, g
sounds like a good system!
Great idea 💡 going to try it. Haven’t heard back from Australia 🇦🇺 have you done anything with Van at T. G’s maybe on systems and corals. He’s got a pretty sweet setup going on.
I have not, nor have i heard of them.. will have to look them up later.
Am I missing something or is the reducer for the clear pipe not listed on parts list? I can't find what it is.
Nope it’s not as I got it at Home Depot but couldn’t find it online I was thinking of 3D modeling my own version thatvent direct from tube to hose
@@ReefDudes So the 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 reducer is a rubber piece that has clamps (from home depot), then I got a 1 1/2 PVC reducer with a female threaded 1/2 inch. Worked easy peasy.
I saw this & thought it was a great idea. I bought everything I needed. Bought a python vacuum tube with included hose, then the fittings & Sicce 0.5 pump. Unfortunately I have an all in 1 & this pump is not powerful enough even when primed. I believe it would definitely work if I had a sump. Great idea but I am going to need a more powerful pump to get this achieved. Thanks for the idea!
Your most welcome. Good to hear you got your own version running! lol
@Lefty left
Did you successfully get things to work on your All in One?
Curious which higher flow rate pump you ended up using?
I’m considering building one and plan to use it to also vacuum clean my sump (won’t have the siphon to assist with flow). Sicce 1.0 or 1.5 perhaps?
Nice! Need to get a thinner tube so you can get in more gap ;)
tube diameter is larger, I use plastic tube that they sell at Lowes to project t5. they are great in size in length and diameter and most importantly they are very inexpensive..
haha maybe! but i can do it so fast with the giant one! :P maybe ill make a mini mee down the road when i find the right tube
try clear pvc
@@reefingravi7612 Great idea!
@@raulmejiajr That stuff is crazy pricey or else i would! This "vacuum" tube was like 9$ which was an easy buy
Very clever
Thank you :D
Awesome idea thank you
What tank size is that? Nice.
Great idea! After you rinse off the filter you can bleach the finer parts and use the filter over & over. Just use Prime or air dry in the sun to remove the bleach. Love your DYI side!
hehe thank you! i love a good project! the filter lasted way longer than expected.. did a good chunk of my tank and it was still flowing very well!
Watched your video and built a filter myself. Problem is my sand is very fine which brings me to my question. Do you think vacuuming out the old sand and filtering the water back into the tank will cause any issue with nutrient spikes? I too am using a 1 micron filter.
I used a 50 micron filter.. I did not experience any issues.. that being said if you havent vaccumed you sand in years you would want to proceed more cautiously and do a small area each time
I have sand sifting nassarius snails and a pistol shrimp who constantly shift the sand. I think I’m gonna give changing out the sand a try.
I got a little bit of algae on my sand bed, I am hoping this would work??
Awesome idea!🐟
Brilliant idea and great DIY project thanks for sharing
Thanks Braveheart!
Love it. I would only add a valve in case you need to slow the water some to keep the sand from making it to the top or stop the water for an emergency. I will definitely be doing this. Thank you for this brilliant idea.
Thanks! I actually plan on adding one it but didnt have one handy in time for the video :) (well i thought about it after filmed it ) future upgrade!
Great videos tanks what happens with the phitoplanton culture?
havent done it in a while,.. may start it back up at some point
Good stuff!
Definently a great DIY project for me to help me out keeping the sand in shape. But where can I find those black rubber end caps?
I found it in the plumbing section at home depot.. I may just model a end cap that has a hose barb on it and 3d print it when i get some free time.
That's will be a nice upgrade. Let me know once you get the opportunity to do it, I could order one from you.
@@compyginorio5604 Sounds good! Ill see if i can do it in the near future :)
Time to print a 3d print adapter for the top of the tube.
haha yep! going to make one or just glue my rubber ones instead of clamps! had to make sure it worked first :P
@@ReefDudes I'm impressed by the back pressure of that pump. Also do you think that that filter was dead after one use of could your reuse it.
@@harkinsaquatics That little sicce rocks! The filter was caked with stuff and still passing water.. 50micron for the win! I gave it a rinse after and it looks decently clean. I bet i can get a ton of uses out of it
@@harkinsaquatics IT was still flowing pretty good when i finished up after 20 min or so.. I rinsed it after and i bet i could use it many many times :)
Ok, so I've received all my products and adapters to set this up. However, one minor "glitch" I cannot figure out. On the Sicce pump on the side where you put the threaded adapter to attach to the canister, when you remove the outer cover to get to said threaded area there is a locking cap that currently keeps the magnetic parts in place so they don't pop out. However, in order to get to the threaded union area I have to remove that locking cap (not the bigger outer part, although that must be removed temporarily as well, but the inner locking part) and thread it in. Although I put the outer "lid" (for a lack of terminology) and lock it in place it still allows the magnetic "head" area to slip out every time I barely touch or move the unit around. Even when I'm threading in the adapter the magnetic spindle area pops out....every time. Extremely frustrated. I had contemplated using my multi tool to cut the inner locking head off so I can feed the threaded adapter into/through the unit, as it does not have a removable top/piece in order to access the threaded area, however, I hate to alter this expensive little pump if there is something I'm missing. How do you keep yours locked into place and not keep popping out? Thanks for any suggestions you can send my way.
If you pop off the front mine had some little circle guard thing I popped out and it was threaded under it
What micron size are the string filters? 15 or 50??? Thanks!
I went with 50
Did you check your salt level after you used this? I wonder if it took out any salt?
Lol
Great idea Dev. Looks to have worked a treat too 😀
Brilliant idea thanks for sharing this.
Thank you! / your welcome!
How much gallons is your tank?
180-200 range
Wouldn't you be concerned about the ammonia that the sand bed holds? When I did a sand bed cleaning, it caused an ammonia spike.
i agree, the filter wont remove the built up ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.