What Gravel Siphon to buy???

muleycrazy · 02/06/2012, 10:40 AM

Thoughts on which one works best???

Reefmedic79 · 02/06/2012, 01:50 PM

To Reef Central

Reef keepers don't typically use gravel siphons while cleaning our tanks. We normally use really fine sand for substrate which doesn't require siphoning if you keep sufficient flow in the tank.

If your using anything larger for substrate your possibly looking at future Nitrate, cyano, algea and diatom issues.

Toddrtrex · 02/06/2012, 02:32 PM

I have been using a "gravel vac" for the last 20+ years -- works great when you have a shallow sandbed.

I use "Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand" in all of my tanks, a great sandbed -- don't have any nitrate, cyano, algae nor diatom issues.

This is the one that I use,

http://reviews.petsmart.com/4830/275...ws/reviews.htm

bnumair · 02/06/2012, 03:50 PM

gravel vac is a good brand.

muleycrazy · 02/06/2012, 04:48 PM

What is the best tool then to use for siphoning water for water changes??? I didn't word my post right
Sorry!

OregonReefer · 02/06/2012, 04:54 PM

I've been using one of these, in the 100 foot model, for years for FW and SW

http://www.pythonproducts.com/aqprod.html

You could make one with a few plastic fittings, some tubing and a venturi style water-bed pump

muleycrazy · 02/06/2012, 05:04 PM

thanks

Agu · 02/06/2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleycrazy

What is the best tool then to use for siphoning water for water changes??? I didn't word my post right
Sorry!

1/2" vinyl tubing, about 4' long from a hardware store. Might cost all of $2 .....

PincheReefTank · 02/06/2012, 08:58 PM

X2 ...Python. The aquarium owners friend.

foxandhound · 02/06/2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmedic79

Reef keepers don't typically use gravel siphons while cleaning our tanks. We normally use really fine sand for substrate which doesn't require siphoning if you keep sufficient flow in the tank.

You guys dont clean your sand in the front of the display glass every 4-6 weeks? I am new to the hobby. My reef maintainer was cleaning our sand, siphoning it and shaking it out like once a month. The sand was dirty too. I have a Mag 3 in a 75 G tank....is that enough flow?

02/06/2012, 10:40 AM	#1
muleycrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 70	What Gravel Siphon to buy??? Thoughts on which one works best???

02/06/2012, 01:50 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	*To Reef Central* Reef keepers don't typically use gravel siphons while cleaning our tanks. We normally use really fine sand for substrate which doesn't require siphoning if you keep sufficient flow in the tank. If your using anything larger for substrate your possibly looking at future Nitrate, cyano, algea and diatom issues. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

02/06/2012, 02:32 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I have been using a "gravel vac" for the last 20+ years -- works great when you have a shallow sandbed. I use "Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand" in all of my tanks, a great sandbed -- don't have any nitrate, cyano, algae nor diatom issues. This is the one that I use, http://reviews.petsmart.com/4830/275...ws/reviews.htm __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/06/2012, 03:50 PM	#4
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	gravel vac is a good brand. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

02/06/2012, 04:54 PM	#6
OregonReefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 629	I've been using one of these, in the 100 foot model, for years for FW and SW http://www.pythonproducts.com/aqprod.html You could make one with a few plastic fittings, some tubing and a venturi style water-bed pump __________________ 120g drilled, 30G sump, 20g Fuge, RO NWB200 Skimmer, Glass Holes Overflow, mag 12.0 return, Reeflo Dart closed loop, 6-bulb Sunlight Tek

02/06/2012, 04:48 PM	#5
muleycrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 70	What is the best tool then to use for siphoning water for water changes??? I didn't word my post right Sorry!

02/06/2012, 05:04 PM	#7
muleycrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 70	thanks

02/06/2012, 08:58 PM	#9
PincheReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 95	X2 ...Python. The aquarium owners friend.