Make a Gentle Aquarium Siphon or Vacuum

Siphons (or gravel vacuums) are a great way to get rid of debris in an aquarium. A 'gentle' siphon, while slower than a normal siphon, is great for small tanks, quarantine or hospital tanks and tanks with fry, small fish or sick fish. As an added bonus, they are very cheap and easy to make.

Steps

  1. Rinse and dry the air tubes and bottle in clean water, taking particular care to clean the bottle if it has been washed in detergent or soap or had anything other than water in it (like fruit juice).
  2. Remove the lid and carefully bore two holes in it using the tip of the pocketknife blade (or the boring tool if you have one). The holes should be barely big enough to squeeze the air tube through.
  3. Insert the short piece of air tube into one of the holes so that there is less than a finger width sticking through the lower side of the lid.
  4. Insert the long piece of air tube so that the amount on the lower side of the lid is about the height of the bottle.
  5. Apply sealant where the air tube meets the lid on the outside and/or inside of the lid and allow it to dry. If you're using blue tack (or any other sealant that is not aquarium safe) and planning to use the siphon to add clean water to the tank, apply it only to the outside of the lid or else the water may become contaminated and harm your fish. Press it down firmly to make it airtight.
  6. Put the lid back on the bottle, your gentle siphon is now ready to use! Read Use a Gentle Aquarium Siphon or Vacuum.
  7. Finished.

Warnings

  • Do not use soap or detergent to clean any part of the siphon; if it is not rinsed out well enough soap can harm fish.
  • When using sealant, follow the instructions on the packet. Otherwise, you could end up in a sticky situation.
  • As with any sharp object, be careful while using the pocketknife.
  • Only use drink bottles. Any other bottles may be made of plastic that will leech chemicals over time.

Things You'll Need

  • A plastic bottle (preferably an old water bottle)
  • One 20-30 cm (8-12 inch) and one 60-90 cm (2-3 foot) piece of air tube (available at most pet stores with fish supplies)
  • Air and waterproof sealant (blue tack or similar works in a pinch)
  • A pocket knife

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