Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has any particular methods or products that make cleaning a tank more efficient. I've seen some suction devices that are supposed to clean gravel and change the water easier. Do these work? Do you recommend any particular one?
Thanks!
RL
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Tank cleaning methods?
ontrane
Dec 08, 2003 11:44 PM
Replies (5)
Yertle
Dec 09, 2003 08:36 AM
My tanks are only about waist high so I just take out whole buckets at once with a 5 gallon pail. I also don't use gravel at the bottom...the waste just collects in it. Without gravel the tank isn't as naturalistic, but it forces the filter to remove all waste and keep the tank cleaner.
The gravel vacs with the basic syphon action do work to an extent and do make it easier to just syphon out the water. The strength of suction depends on what you get. Other people here have been very happy with a device called a Python. One hose syphons out, and the other hose attaches directly to your faucet to refill the tank. You can get them in all kinds of lengths and sizes to stretch the distance between your nearest sink (or if syphoning out and you don't want the dirty water going in your sink, an open window) and your tank. Most decent size pet stores carry them. Longer hoses cost more, but many have said they are worth it.
meretseger
Dec 09, 2003 10:39 AM
The Python is the only way I'm able to maintain my tanks. It's definately worth every penny.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?
ontrane
Dec 09, 2003 06:29 PM
What about this one called the "gravel vac"?
2manyherps
Dec 09, 2003 06:49 PM
that is part of a "python".using a gravel vac by itself is a long,boring job.if you have multiple tanks its a nightmare!
RavonTUS
Dec 10, 2003 09:08 AM
Greetings,
I purchased a gravel vacuum for about $4.00 at the local pet store. I don't have gravel, but was hoping to just use it to clean up the tank in between changes.
If you have a tank full of water, it should work OK. If you have just a half a tank (3"-6" of water) it's a pain. There's not enough water to get the vacuum working.
They're very basic. You start the hose by forcing water into the tube and it suctions the water into an empty bucket. It does pick up stuff - water, waste, food, and UFOs (unidentified floating objects). Once your done, refill the tank with water.
-Ravon
