View Full Version : How to siphon clean a tank with poor siphon flow?
ReefPharmer
03/30/2013, 10:57 PM
I dont know if anyone else has this issue but I have a 24 inch deep 180g. I use the python siphon and run the hose outside. If i had to guess, the drop is about 4 feet. I just cannot get the detritus to get sucked out from the bottom of my tank. It either doesnt move much at all, or goes up the plastic siphon tube and stays in it.
How do you guys do it? heeeeelp
thanks
biggles
03/31/2013, 12:12 AM
Are you pushing it into the sand bed until you see filth rising and then lifting it up until it is just above the sand bed to allow the siphon to operate at full strength. Once you see the filth leave the cleaner head push it back into a new spot nearby and repeat over and over and over........... If you leave it pushed into the bed the flow will be significantly reduced which sounds like what you are experiencing. Hope that helps, i can't see why else your siphon would not be working. :)
ReefPharmer
03/31/2013, 12:57 AM
I dont have a sand bed :) I run a bb tank.
ReefPharmer
03/31/2013, 01:13 AM
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i must be tired cuz i have no idea what that means
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gone fishin
03/31/2013, 01:29 PM
I had a similar issue with my 180. For lack of a better solution I move my power head around to kick up stuff and use a large net to strain it. Alot of the stuff ends up in the sump and skimmer. I do my water change then a pull most of the water from my sump.
ampemployee1
03/31/2013, 02:00 PM
If you have a way to secure a 200micron filter sock on your drain to your sump, and have adequate flow in your main system, use a small powerhead and direct flow on everything in the system. It will cloud up, but as the detritus is suspended, most of it will go thru the overflow and get caught in the filter sock. I do this, along with siphoning my shallow sand bed. Once things clear up, I do a water change, and take the filter sock out to be cleaned. This has worked really well for me, but i have a 57 gallon system, so there are fewer areas for detritus to accumulate. Good luck!
JavyJaverson
03/31/2013, 02:53 PM
take the tube like thing off the tip of the hose and just use the hose. Sure you'll get some sand sucked up but as long as you're siphoning into a bucket you can always add the sand back once the dirty water has been flushed. For what its worth, i never clean my sand bed and have never had issues.
MiracleFish
03/31/2013, 03:36 PM
What I do and actually works is, you can make circular figures with the siphon that's in the tank and it will help suck up the filth.
Dozer1one
03/31/2013, 06:43 PM
I have a bb tank as well, and had the same problem. Go and buy one that hooks up to your sink, their usually around 100 bucks but they will suck a golf ball through a garden hose. Nothing will be left on the bottom of your tank except ur rock lol. Just watch your fish dont get sucked up. I know your pain man, theres always those couple little spots where the shi* lays no matter how many power heads you have:beer:
Shaummy
04/02/2013, 07:37 AM
I have a bb tank as well, and had the same problem. Go and buy one that hooks up to your sink, their usually around 100 bucks but they will suck a golf ball through a garden hose. Nothing will be left on the bottom of your tank except ur rock lol. Just watch your fish dont get sucked up. I know your pain man, theres always those couple little spots where the shi* lays no matter how many power heads you have:beer:
If you have a python, you should already have a way to do what Dozer said. With the faucet forcing the siphon, you will be able to suck up anything you want.
spieszak
04/02/2013, 07:43 AM
What I do and actually works is, you can make circular figures with the siphon that's in the tank and it will help suck up the filth.
This works for me also. Use the hose to stir the water in a circle, it creates a whirlpool like effect, and the stuff gets pulled from the bottom. Then siphon from the water column. I also use power heads to blast the rocks, and the same method helps to get a lot of the gunk into the same place... so, I block the siphon hose, "stir" then unblock the siphon and get more gunk, less water.
worm5406
04/02/2013, 08:00 AM
Also take the hose and let it drain into the sump, into a filter sock. That way it will recirculate the water and clean it at the same time. Of course you can do the same during a water change if you need to.
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