Cleaning Gravel Without Sucking Up Too Much Water

[adpgt]

Every time I do a water change, I suck up like 30-40% of the water and I only clean half of the gravel? What can I do to avoid so much water form being sucked up?

Also, all the waster from the gravel that doesn't get sucked up floats in the water for a good 30 mins. Is this harming my fish?

 

[snazy]

You are not siphoning the gravel correctly I'd say. Once you start the siphon, put the tube all the way down to the bottom and wait until the dirt/light parts go up the tube which takes a second. Then take it out and move to the next spot. Do not stir up the gravel with the tube moving through the gravel doing it. If you are not sure, look up some youtube videos. It's very common not to siphon correctly. I can't even imagine that would take 40% of the water unless you really have a dirty gravel and if that's the case, you are lacking flow in the tank and your filter is not adequate for the tank size and stocking.

 

[fluttermoth]

What size is the tank, what fish (and filter) do have and how often do you water change/gravel clean?

 

[adpgt]

55 gallon.
2 balas
1 pleco
1 gourami
2 glofish
2 tetras

second time cleaning gravel in 1 year.

 

[Bugdozer]

I find my tank decor gets in the way of my siphon sometimes - and I've lost track of how often I've uprooted plants accidentally!

 

[fluttermoth]

second time cleaning gravel in 1 year.

That'll be your problem then!

Don't try and do it all at once. Do maybe a quarter of the gravel every day, or every other day, until you get on top of it

The floating stuff won't harm your fish.

 

[Mikey1]

only clean half the tank then....next time clean the other half....do it every 5-7 days

twice a year is nuts....you must have an inch of crap on the bottom of your tank!

 

[raptorrex]

Yeah, it’s a problem noted many times here.
Technique is a part of it, I'm sure.
Like pouring back any excess water, removed to clean the gravel.
Using a small bore tube, with a large bore collector.

Buying a separate gadget to do the job, may help.
There are a few offered.
Some using an air pump (never had much luck with that type myself)

I know it may sound boring but the Eheim Quick vac/sludge buster really does a good job.
And would solve this problem!