Re-using syphoned water ?

In a FOWLR setup is it OK to put back into the tank the water that has been syphoned out when vacuuming the sand? I'll be pouring it through a fine mesh with a couple of layers of floss for added filtration.

Why am I doing this you ask?
I figure if it ain't broke why fix it !?!

Params:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
pH = ~8.2
Calcium = 380
Phosphate = 0

The phosphate and nitrate tests were done first by myself and then by my LFS. The calcium is a little low (I know) but with no corals in the tank I'm not really worried about it. My cleaner shrimps aren't phazed as they are molting their shells quite regularly.

The tank has been running for 7 months now with no water change. I alternate between carbon and floss every 2nd month (one month carbon, one month floss).

So....

 

a easier way to clean the sand may be just to blow the dirt into the water colum with a powerhead or baster and run a canister filter or hob filter to pick up the sediment till the waters clear then remove again afterwards.just a thought.

 

I have been trying to come up with a vacume of some sort that I can use to clean my sump out and just dump that water back in but have not come up with anything yet. I just want to suck up all the junk and let the water go back in.
I'll watch this post and see if anyone has a good idea.

 

maybe run a MJ 400 inline on the siphon so it isnt a siphon anymore with the input having the cone thing and the output goiung thru some sort of filter pad and have the water go right back into tank?

like so (the O=MJ=O is the maxijet.)
. CONE-----O=MJ=O-----) <---Some sort of filter pad to strain detritus.
.

 

@aquaboy:
I thought about that too but the bummer is that I'm afraid the detritus that goes through the MJ may end up clogging the impeller.

The way I see it is that it has to be a pure syphon pouring the dirty water into a rubbermaid bucket...let the detritus settle down to the bottom and then pump the water back into the tank through a fine filter setup. The MJ pumping the water should be elevated at least 6 inches from the bottom of the rubbermaid bucket so as not to pick up any detritus.

Just a thought mind you.

 

Have you ever considered this piece of hardware: Cheap Eheim aquarium products at zooplus: Eheim Aquarium Vacuum Cleaner

 

Vacuum in conjuction with a water change and question becomes moot.

My biggest vacuuming challenge is sucking out gunk in bottom of overflows.

Best thing I have discovered to do is tape 1/2 inch hose on end of shop vac extension and suck out that way.

Certainly would not want to resuse that water. -- it is really full of nasty stuff. :-/

 

Old school low tech. ( DIATOM FILTER)..everyone with a aquarium should have one.

 

but we dont want to go old school, this is modern times man, know what i mean man? we want something that does something cool when you plug it in.

 

Aquaboy is well on his way to becoming Aquaman

If you've never used a diatom filter before, you should really try one. You'd be amazed at how much gunk it pulls out.