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First time Python user - Sand as substrate - HELP..?..

PostPosted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:45 pm
by rctoyguy
Just got my python water change/gravel cleaning system, and first of all, IT ROCKS. Why in the heck I've been doing this with buckets is beyond me..... But questions.

Should I actually be stirring the sand up in the tube or just lightly vacuuming across the top of it? I ask because I found it pretty hard to pull sand up into the big tube without pulling it all the way through the system (and down the drain) - it took a lot of valve management and was generally pretty hard to do where I actually pulled any crap out of the tank without getting sand too.

Re: First time Python user - Sand as substrate - HELP..?..

PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:05 pm
by steve
What kind of sand are you using? I think most people just lightly vacuum across the top.

Re: First time Python user - Sand as substrate - HELP..?..

PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:14 pm
by rctoyguy
It's play sand - about $4 per bag at Wal-Mart. I really like the look of it.

Re: First time Python user - Sand as substrate - HELP..?..

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:08 pm
by VeipaCray
I'm also in the lightly vacuum across the top camp because my turtle agitates the sand on the bottom as he moves around.
Only if there's a spot of black or brown algae would I want to really dig into the sand and stir it up into the python tube when cleaning.