Axolotl dirty tank base

[bob2143]

Hello,

I have three axolotls in a four foot tank, with sand as their base. But the top of sand has lots of dirt on it. I was wondering if there is anyway i can clean off the dirt of the bottom, i have tried a gravel cleaner but it doesn't seem to get much of the dirt off.

Please tell me if you have any ideas...

bob2143

 

[Jennewt]

What kind of gravel cleaner did you use? Does it look like this, approximately:
http://www.petco.com/Assets/product_images/9/9403616316B.jpg

 

[blueberlin]

Hi Bob,

If you are using a hose-and-siphon cleaner like the one in the pic Jen posted, you need to wave it gently back and forth a little to raise the muck off of the sand - but not so much that you raise the sand, too. I find it also helps to hold the siphon more horizontally than vertically so that the muck doesn't fall back out again. Also, the lower other end of the hose is, the stronger the sihpon will draw water.

-Eva

 

[bob2143]

ok thankyou for the help i will get a smaller syphon i think mine is too low with my water level.

 

[blueberlin]

Sorry, just to be clear in case there is a misunderstanding - the lower the end of the hose is, the better. For example, my tanks stand on cabinets. I get the best suction when I put a bucket on the floor and the output end of the hose into the bucket - that is over a meter drop and the water literally rushes out.

-Eva