How do I work a gravel vacuum/siphon? (marineland siphon kleen)?

Question

I just got this gravel vacuum/siphon and have no idea how to work it. Any instructions, sites, or diagrams would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You draw (suck) enough water through it so that the entire tube and 1/2 of the siphon is full, then release the short end into a buck. Move the large end throughout your tank, pushing it down through the gravel so that all debris is sucked up. Change form the straight end of the gravel washer the the angled end to get to the corners of the tank, but I have never found it necessary to bother with.
Instructions:http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F11/Class/Fish+Supplies+Cleaning+Equipment/T1/F11+0221+0008/EDP/10509/Itemdy00.aspx
Attach flexible hose over tube cap. Place a large bucket on level surface below aquarium level. Close off opposite end of hose with thumb. Scoop water from aquarium with large tube. Submerge barrel (open end up) in aquarium. Turn open end down to create suction. Begin siphon. Position hose end over bucket and remove thumb. Slowly move barrel end through the gravel bed. As gravel rises, lift barrel slightly.

Answer 2

Put the large end of the tube in the water and gradually put the smaller end of the hose into the water. The idea is to keep the hose filled with water without any air in it. Once the hose is filled, put your thumb over the small end of the hose. Take the small end of the hose and hold it below the water level of the tank and remove your thumb from the end of the hose, diverting the water into a bucket. While it siphons the water out, plunge the large end into the gravel and pull it back out. You'll start to see the nastiness from the gravel passing through the hose. Repeat this step until your bucket is close to full or you have drained 1/3 of the tank.

Answer 3

First get a bucket and put it lower than your tank (I put mine on the floor by the tankstand). I have found that 2 buckets work better and if you have a helper to empty one while you fill another it is best! Put the bigger end into the tank and the end of the tubing in the bucket. Next make sure all the air is out of the bigger end (turn it upward and let it fill w/ water. When it's full of water, you keep it submerged and pump it up and down or sideways until it starts siphoning the water out of the tank. When that begins, work it around in the gravels and watch all that waste and junk go right into the bucket! If you get air into it, it will stop working and you'll have to start all over again. Personally, when I would get air into mine I could never get it working again until it dried out.

OH, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT CAN SUCK SMALLER FISH RIGHT OUT OF THE TANK AND YOU WON'T SEE THEM IN ALL THAT GUNK!

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Put the siphon in the tank- make sure the wole thing is full of water. Put your thumb over the smaller end and place it in a bucket on the floor. Gravity will pull the water down. Be sure to use the larger side to dig around in the gravel. This will remove all the debris.

If you have a tank that is low to the ground then you may have to use a different method. Place the larger end in the tank and suck on the smaller end. Once the water goes over the crest of the tank gravity will kick in- place your end in the bucket. Be sure not to get a mouthful of water.

Answer 5

If it’s similar to mine:

1.) Soak in tank until all the air is out of the siphon hose.
2.) Plug the drain end with a clothes peg
3.) Making sure to keep the nozzle in the water – place the drain end in a bucket on the floor (a clothes peg works well to keep it stable and there’s one right there when you unplug the drain.)
4.) The flow should be strong enough to lift the gravel but not plug the nozzle.

Answer 6

ask someone who siphons gas.

Answer 7

i had a problem with those too.

Answer 8

Yeah, look at the directions on the package. DUH!