This is a post revisit from nearly three years ago. If you have sand substrate, often have cichlid fry, and/or use a Python (or similar vacuum) to vacuum your substrate, read on.
If you follow the blog, you know I have several tanks, many of which are show tanks and community set-ups. They all have sand substrate. Also, many of them contain breeding pairs of fish, so I often have fry. So what does this have to do with saving money and fish fry?
If you use a Python in the conventional sense to vacuum your tank, you lose a lot of source water. Pythons and similar faucet pump set-ups use water from the faucet to generate the vacuum pressure. If you just use that pressure to start the water flow then shut the faucet off to let gravity take over, then you lose very little source water. In any case, as long as the faucet is running, that source water goes down the drain along with the water coming from your tank, unless you’re capturing it in some way. For most people, it’s wasted water and thus money.
Furthermore, using a Python or similar runs the risk of vacuuming up wrigglers and fry. Once they get into the hose, they’re gone unless you see them and can get the water and faucet pump shut off before they reach the pump.
Using a Python or similar vacuum WILL suck up some sand and WILL suck up fry (even when you’re really careful). Used the conventional way, some of the sand will go down your drain as will anything else in the hose. I don’t want to lose sand or fry, so I figured out a way to prevent both.
Hopefully, if you’ve read this far, you’re interested or intrigued about how I clean my substrate. Read the post on my tank vacuum and water change process. It provides step-by-step instructions and explains how it works. This method isn’t for everyone. Because it involves several components, it will cost some extra money up front. However, you will save money in the long run – you will also save water, sand, and cichlid fry/wrigglers.