Best way to clean a 5 1/2 gallon?

[Tinajo]

I use the Python for my other two tanks and I love it, but I think it would be way too powerful for cleaning the 5 1/2 gal. How do you clean yours?
Thanks!

[maronov]

Simple gravel vac, powered by gravity. And a small bucket.

[blackwolfXKAV]

if you are worried about the python being too powerful, i would use some airline tubing. sure, it takes a bit longer, but you have more control over the water flow.

[boofish2]

yup, although because you have to vigorously shake the gravity vac up and down, sometimes it's hard to get the water going in such a small tank. You can either buy one with a small cylinder or start it up orally... just watch out for a mouth full of tank water. :)

[Tinajo]

Simple gravel vac, powered by gravity. And a small bucket.

Okay, this is a total newbie question, but with a simple gravel vac do you have to prime it with your mouth? fish water, ewww:eek:

[boofish2]

Okay, this is a total newbie question, but with a simple gravel vac do you have to prime it with your mouth? fish water, ewww:eek:

lol, i guess we posted at the same time,,,,

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I used to start it orally (how rude!) but I got fairly sick after doing it once so I got a gravel vac which dosen't seem to work...

[enrique4jc]

Okay, this is a total newbie question, but with a simple gravel vac do you have to prime it with your mouth? fish water, ewww:eek:

Just get a syringe (one like you use to give a pet liquid meds orally, or a simple irrigation syringe) that you can stick in the end of the tubing and use it to start the suction. It'll do the job fine. No water in the mouth. And gravity will do the rest!

[didy]

Okay, this is a total newbie question, but with a simple gravel vac do you have to prime it with your mouth? fish water, ewww:eek:

No, you can get the suction going with a turkey baster or infant nasal aspirator. You shouldn't use your mouth.

[Daudzegier]

Okay, this is a total newbie question, but with a simple gravel vac do you have to prime it with your mouth? fish water, ewww:eek:

If you are that grossed out about putting perfectly drinkable water in your mouth then you dont need to be raising fish. Im not trying to sound off kilter or mean, its just that the fish water you are taking OUT of the aquarium is perfectly drinkable. The only reason we change it is so freaquently in an established aquarium is to keep the polution level down. Once you get a poluted tank, the tank water will usualy start taking on some colors that are unacceptable. Most city tap waters have some sort of polution in them that is off or discoloring. (smells funny, or is brown when it first comes out of the tap for the first 5 seconds or so) So it realy isnt that gross. Remember, its been biologicly, mechanicly, and chemicly filtered to help keep it clean. We change the water so that it will be emaculate.

[jm1212]

If you are that grossed out about putting perfectly drinkable water in your mouth then you dont need to be raising fish. Im not trying to sound off kilter or mean, its just that the fish water you are taking OUT of the aquarium is perfectly drinkable. The only reason we change it is so freaquently in an established aquarium is to keep the polution level down. Once you get a poluted tank, the tank water will usualy start taking on some colors that are unacceptable. Most city tap waters have some sort of polution in them that is off or discoloring. (smells funny, or is brown when it first comes out of the tap for the first 5 seconds or so) So it realy isnt that gross. Remember, its been biologicly, mechanicly, and chemicly filtered to help keep it clean. We change the water so that it will be emaculate.
wow... do you even know what kinds of bacteria live in fish water? you can get really sick from drinking fish water. they go to the bathroom in the water. even though the ammoina and nitrates are taken out, there's always the nitrates. there are the pharamones that the fish release into the water, and the oils etc. from the food.

they SPAWN in that water!

[Tinajo]

If you are that grossed out about putting perfectly drinkable water in your mouth then you dont need to be raising fish.

Okay, let me get this straight, because I have a problem allowing water into my mouth that has fish feces in it, I shouldn't be keeping fish? Give me a break!

[cohazard]

they SPAWN in that water!

:laugh:

Here's a tip that will save you the trouble.

To start a siphon without using your mouth (eww), and without destroying your small tank, simply fill the siphon with water (you may have to shake it a bit to release the air if you have the shake-to-start type), and cap the end that goes in the bucket with your thumb.

When the siphon is full of water, place the vac part in your tank, lower the other end into the bucket, and take your thumb off the end, and wah-lah (sp?), it starts without any part of it ever going near your mouth, and without shaking it up and down possibly damaging something inside the tank.

if you use a smaller siphon (they're cheap at LFS's) that eliminates the problem of the water coming out too fast.

HTH

[hendrixpujols11]

Yeah i start it orally. Its not that big of a deal, its not like you get a mouthful of water and spit it in the sink. I barely if at all get water in my mouth. Im just more worried about even the smallest drop of saliva touching the water.

[boofish2]

Yeah i start it orally. Its not that big of a deal, its not like you get a mouthful of water and spit it in the sink. I barely if at all get water in my mouth. Im just more worried about even the smallest drop of saliva touching the water.

Thank you. Finally, a clarification. Only if you're not paying attention will you end up with water in your mouth. In no way was I implying that orally starting a syphon will automatically end up with you drinking your tank water. It is a perfectly fine way to start a syphon if you have no other means of doing so. And yes tank water is NOT ok to ingest.

[maronov]

Don't see the big deal about starting a gravel vac orally (which I always do). I wouldn't want to get aquarium water in my mouth either, especially with all the plant ferts I add to it. I admit I've accidentally gotten a mouthful once or twice, but that's why Listerine mouthwash exists. Just wash the gravel vac with hot water after use.

[webcricket]

If you are that grossed out about putting perfectly drinkable water in your mouth then you dont need to be raising fish. Im not trying to sound off kilter or mean, its just that the fish water you are taking OUT of the aquarium is perfectly drinkable. The only reason we change it is so freaquently in an established aquarium is to keep the polution level down. Once you get a poluted tank, the tank water will usualy start taking on some colors that are unacceptable. Most city tap waters have some sort of polution in them that is off or discoloring. (smells funny, or is brown when it first comes out of the tap for the first 5 seconds or so) So it realy isnt that gross. Remember, its been biologicly, mechanicly, and chemicly filtered to help keep it clean. We change the water so that it will be emaculate.

So then I take it you didn't read the post about someone's cat drinking the fish tank water and getting really sick?

[bettagurl]

yup, although because you have to vigorously shake the gravity vac up and down, sometimes it's hard to get the water going in such a small tank. You can either buy one with a small cylinder or start it up orally... just watch out for a mouth full of tank water. :)

boo,I took that very wrong......

[icecubez189]

unfortunately im still using a gravity powered gravel vac. it does the job, just a lot of bucket hauling and wet floors.

i used to start it with the pumping motion, it spashed the water a lot. then i did the suction because it was faster and less messy. i haven't gotten water in my mouth since im pretty quick. obviously being quick means a lot of false starts....

[dmopar74]

I use the Python for my other two tanks and I love it, but I think it would be way too powerful for cleaning the 5 1/2 gal. How do you clean yours?
Thanks!

if u think the python is too powerfull either a.turn the faucet down so that it sucks slower or b.close the valve by the vacuum at the tank a little till you get the desired flow.

[Aroihkin]

boo,I took that very wrong......

Me too, me too.

[BrkD]

there are better ways of starting a gravity powered gravel vac. here is my procedure:

1. put the gravel tube into the water
2. tilt it upwards to fill it up with water
3. push 1/3-1/2 of the tube into the tank and fill it up with water too
4. tilt the gravel tube back down

it should start a siphon from that, if not, repeat steps 2-4 over. remember to hold the end of the tube to the bucket.

[Tinajo]

Thank you, everyone. I really do appreciate your advice. I think I will try to use the Python with dmopar74's suggestion of attempting to regulate the power of the suction. If that doesn't work, then I'll buy a regular siphon hose and bucket. Thanks again to all!

[Dangerdoll]

they do have a very small python designed for smaller tanks such as this that dowsn't use the faucet. I got mine for about 3 bucks.

[DebbyS]

While I think having a python or similar, small syphon would be cool, I don't think my apartment managment team would like to see their carpet messed up. So in my Ecipse 6- and common 10-gallon tanks I use a turkey baster. I have larger gravel in the 6 and can stick the baster end in to it on the sides and see it sucking up black goop (from fish, snails, the odd flake of food, etc). I feel very accomplished :) But as both tanks are planted, I need to leave some of the goop in there to act as fertilizer so the turkey baster not being as cool or efficient (or as messy) as a syphon of some kind works okay for me. One can also get them for a dollar or so at a Dollar-type Store

[boofish2]

boo,I took that very wrong......

Really? Sorry guys, I guess I wasn't being clear. In my mind the intention was present, I guess it didn't translate well.

[bettagurl]

Really? Sorry guys, I guess I wasn't being clear. In my mind the intention was present, I guess it didn't translate well.

lol :D

[Aroihkin]

Really? Sorry guys, I guess I wasn't being clear. In my mind the intention was present, I guess it didn't translate well.

No no no, it was. It was just funnier to take it the wrong way. ;P

I got what you meant. XDD

[hendrixpujols11]

LOL. I didnt take it that way until I read it over again. Kind of funny....call me immature....

[VectorZulu]

If you are that grossed out about putting perfectly drinkable water in your mouth then you dont need to be raising fish. Im not trying to sound off kilter or mean, its just that the fish water you are taking OUT of the aquarium is perfectly drinkable. The only reason we change it is so freaquently in an established aquarium is to keep the polution level down. Once you get a poluted tank, the tank water will usualy start taking on some colors that are unacceptable. Most city tap waters have some sort of polution in them that is off or discoloring. (smells funny, or is brown when it first comes out of the tap for the first 5 seconds or so) So it realy isnt that gross. Remember, its been biologicly, mechanicly, and chemicly filtered to help keep it clean. We change the water so that it will be emaculate.

Your "special" arent you.