Gravel Siphon Question
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- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:43 am
- Location (country): Dodge City, Kansas, USA
Gravel Siphon Question
Ok, so i know when we do water changes the objective here is to use our gravel siphons to clean up as much of the detritus from the substrate as we can manage, therefor overall preventing them from decomposing and turning into ammonia/nitrates/nitrites. (I am using sand as substrate FYI.) The problem i am having is that when i go to siphon up all the feces/uneaten food from the bottom, it will start to pick it up, it will kind of swirl around in the tube of the siphon...but only a very small percentage of it actually gets siphoned out of the tank. I typically end up pulling more of my sand than anything. Its frustrating because im trying to do everything I can to "follow the rules" so to speak, but i just cant really seem to get it out of there...Does anyone have any home remedies or suggestions for removing these pieces that the siphon wont pull up? Ive tried using my net but thats not all that effective either, as a lot of times i just end up burying it in the sand or end up scooping up too much sand along with the detritus. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
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- Mentor
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
There is a learning process to learning to siphon sand. How many and what kind of fish are in it?
What size is the tank?
How deep is the sand? Howe fine is it?
What kind of siphon are you using?
What are the water parameters?
What size is the tank?
How deep is the sand? Howe fine is it?
What kind of siphon are you using?
What are the water parameters?
Where's the fish? - Neptune
- G S P Freak
- Green Spotted Puffer
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1 rubber lip pleco - Location (country): USA, Indiana
Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Try manually stirring up the sand first, then siphoning crud off the surface of the sand?
No human being, however great, or powerful, was ever so free as a fish.
-John Ruskin-
"I have to laugh when people call fish-keeping a hobby, if anything, it's a science... and for some, an obsession." - Me
-John Ruskin-
"I have to laugh when people call fish-keeping a hobby, if anything, it's a science... and for some, an obsession." - Me
- Pufferpunk
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T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
If you're just skimming the surface of the sand after stirring & letting the detritus settle, take the gravel cleaner off the hose.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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- Puffer Fry
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Currently there are just 2 damsels and one GSP. It is a 55 gal and I am not using "real sand" I believe it is fine crushed aragonite. About a 1/4 in. To a 1/2 in.deep. Not sure the "type" of siphon I'm using I just know it is one of the bigger models with the wide mouth. I could post a pic if that would help
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
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Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Yep--just stir, let settle & syphon off the top.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:43 am
- Location (country): Dodge City, Kansas, USA
Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Pufferpunk wrote:If you're just skimming the surface of the sand after stirring & letting the detritus settle, take the gravel cleaner off the hose.
So you are suggesting that I just use the hose?
- Pufferpunk
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Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Yep.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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- Mentor
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Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Just FYI, "sand" is a particle size range, not a material description. There are many materials available in that size range. Aragonite sand is IMHO and IME one of the best for hobby tanks, so you made a good choice. Your shallow sand bed will do well with stirring and light vacuuming as suggested.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
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- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:43 am
- Location (country): Dodge City, Kansas, USA
Re: Gravel Siphon Question
I did exactly what you suggested pufferpunk about using just the hose, it worked perfectly! I can't believe I've never thought of that...it makes perfect sense. It decreases the surface area therefore increasing suction power and making it much easier to "spot clean". Problem solved, thanks!
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32773
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Re: Gravel Siphon Question
Yay!
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"