Canister filter as a gravel vacuum

twocents

Has anyone ever used a canister filter, such as a Rena filstar, to vacuum gravel?
Thanks.

herbwin

I had an old diatom fiter that had a gravel cleaning attachment. I'm sure you could use one with a canisiter, but I think all the debris would quickly fill up the filter. Might be a good option if you didn't want to change the water, otherwise regular siphoning would prob be best.
Posted via Mobile Device

rsn48

As soon as I read your OP I thought what a great idea, but then as I lingered on it, maybe not. The idea will work, but then you have to spend all that time cleaning the filter. You don't want to leave the crud inside the filter for long after you've vacuumed.

I think a better idea is to find a "used" diatom filter or a used Marineland Magnum filter, both would be easier to clean:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/prc...rmagnum350.htm

twocents

Thanks to all.
Trust me, I have considered the 'cleaning the filter' each time. Plus it would have to be left open to the air to dry as well.
A cheapie siphon, or vacuum that recycles the water back in probably is the easiest.

JohnnyD44

What I (and many other members) do is use a siphon during a weekly water change. You can siphon out your tank water your removing and during the process vacuum the gravel bed....it will help to remove all the debris and excess fish waste....

I wouldn't recycle the water back into the tank (it's gonna be messy) I would just use the above info and try it that way.....

Mikaila31

Yeah most just gravel vac during a water change. The gravel vac and siphon are the same thing. Even if I don't need to gravel vac I still use a gravel vac to siphon the water.

iamntbatman

Canister filters just work as siphons anyway, with a pump to return the water to your tank. In other words, it's not less work to use a canister; you'd still have to get the siphon going every time. A canister filter seems like a really expensive gravel vac.

twocents

Thanks. All those points have occurred to me. Clean it out every time, expense, etc.
The larger siphons are just a tad too fast. I think I'm gonna tie a smaller one to a rod and use that.

herbwin

You can slow larger siphons by pinching the hose or placing your thumb over the end.
Posted via Mobile Device