How to Use a Siphon to Clean or Empty an Aquarium - Easily

A fish tank should be cleaned periodically to remove debris from the gravel. Most aquariums are too big and heavy to lift. Here's a low-tech way to siphon water, dirt and gravel out for cleaning.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket
• Flexible tube - clear tubing such as found in the plumbing section at Home Depot
• Fish tank elevated at least a foot off the ground

1. Locate the bucket near the aquarium. The bottom of the bucket should be at least about 2 feet below the water level in the aquarium. This height difference is the driving force for the siphon. The bigger the difference, the faster the water and dirt will flow.
   
   Did you remember to remove your fish? This siphon could suck them right out of the fish tank - be careful!

2. Fill your flexible hose with water from the tap. Hold each end at the same height and carefully fill the hose till the water is very near the top at each end. Cover each end of the hose with one of your fingers.

3. Continuing to hold your fingers on the ends of the hose, put one end well under the water in the fish tank, and the other end down near the bottom of the bucket. Sometimes it helps to have 2 different people work each end of the hose.

4. Remove your finger from the hose in the aquarium. Remove your finger from the hose in the bucket. The water should start flowing. The end of the hose in the fish tank will act as a vacuum cleaner - move it around over the bottom of the tank to vacuum up debris and gravel if desired.

5. To stop the siphon at any time, pull the hose above the water level in the aquarium. Any water in the hose will finish draining into the bucket, and the hose will empty. If you want to siphon some more later, you will need to re-fill the hose with water as in Step 2.
   
   To completely empty a large aquarium, have 2 or 3 buckets at the ready, and a helper to empty them for you and return them. When one bucket fills, quickly switch the hose into a waiting empty bucket. Cover the end of the hose with your finger if you want to minimize the mess.

6. Any gravel in the bucket can be washed and put back into the aquarium. The aquarium can even be emptied this way, making it easier to scrub it out or move it to another location.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your hands carefully with soap after handling fish tank water.

[betterbody]

on 10/15/2009 Great steps to siphon an aquarium.