Siphoning gravel involves using a gravel vacuum to remove debris and waste from the bottom of your aquarium while performing a partial water change. Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Gather your supplies: You'll need a gravel vacuum (also called a siphon or gravel cleaner), a bucket, and possibly a dechlorinator (depending on your water source).
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Prepare the aquarium: Turn off any filters or pumps in the tank to prevent them from sucking up debris.
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Position the gravel vacuum: Place the siphon tube (the end without the wide tube) into the bucket. Submerge the wide tube (the gravel vacuum end) into the aquarium, holding it above the gravel.
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Start the siphon: There are a few methods to start the siphon:
- The "shaking" method: Rapidly move the gravel vacuum up and down in the water to expel air and initiate the water flow.
- The "priming" method: Some gravel vacuums have a built-in pump. Use the pump to start the water flow.
- The "mouth suction" method (use with caution): Submerge the entire gravel vacuum tube. Quickly lift the end you'll put in the bucket out of the water and suck on the tube until water starts flowing. Be very careful not to swallow any aquarium water. This method is discouraged if you're not comfortable with it.
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Siphon the gravel: Once the water is flowing, gently push the wide tube (gravel vacuum) into the gravel. The gravel will rise up inside the tube. The waste and lighter debris will be carried away with the water, while the heavier gravel will fall back down.
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Control the suction: If the gravel is being sucked up the tube, lift the vacuum higher to reduce the suction. As the reference suggests, you can pinch the tube to reduce flow and control the amount of "dust" (debris) removed.
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Move around the tank: Systematically move the gravel vacuum across the bottom of the aquarium, overlapping each area to ensure thorough cleaning. Avoid disturbing plants' roots.
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Partial water change: As you siphon, you are also removing water from the tank. Aim to remove approximately 25-50% of the tank's water during each cleaning. The amount will depend on how dirty the gravel is.
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Stop the siphon: Once you've removed the desired amount of water, lift the gravel vacuum out of the tank. This will break the siphon.
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Refill the aquarium: Refill the aquarium with fresh, dechlorinated water of the same temperature as the tank water.
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Restart equipment: Turn your filters and pumps back on.
Important Considerations:
- Don't over-clean: Avoid cleaning the entire gravel bed at once, as this can disrupt the beneficial bacteria colonies.
- Frequency: Siphon your gravel every 1-2 weeks, depending on the size of your tank and the number of fish.
- Observe your fish: Watch your fish for any signs of stress during the cleaning process.
- Water Source: Always use dechlorinated water to refill your tank. Tap water contains chemicals that can harm fish.
