Howdy,
With just a few spare parts you, too, can convert your canister filter (needs to come standard with a drain valve, e.g. Eheim 2262 or 60) into the perfect friend for aquarium maintenance.
To backflush: (comes standard)
This allows you to get rid of accumulated detritus in the filter pot, and it washes thru your media in reverse flow. Your filter outlet (e.g. spray bar) has to be completely under water
Simply open backflush valve (clear tubing allows you to monitor outflow of brown crap)
Ignore T-splitter (one end closed)
And drain into backyard (or where ever gravity leads you)
To use siphon for gravel vac:
Even if you have a good waterchange regimen, detritus still accumulates in corners of your tank or gravel/sand. Many of us use a Python (or similar product) to get the party started. But the cumbersome adapter is annoying and more hassle than benefit - if you can do this:
Close valve on end of tubing in your backyard (or toilet, whatever)
Close backflush valve
Connect tubing to T-splitter and open valve
Connect your choice of 36'' gravel tube to tubing via Python connector (I use the thin pipe for spot-cleaning, the larger diameter tube for sand vac)
And drain into backyard (or where ever gravity leads you)
If you do not have enough suction (i.e. height difference between water level and end of tubing) to fill the gravel tube and continue the siphon, then I suggest the following:
This way I change about 50-75 gal on my 220 tank, first washing out the filter media, and then cleaning gravel in the same setting. The tubing is permanently set up and hidden under my cabinet. It's a matter of less than a minute to get started.
Beat that, Python
HarleyK
With just a few spare parts you, too, can convert your canister filter (needs to come standard with a drain valve, e.g. Eheim 2262 or 60) into the perfect friend for aquarium maintenance.
- Clean your filter without opening it - increase filter maintenance intervals (mine has been in operation for 10 months now without cleaning!!!)...
... and use that to get your gravel vac started:
- No more hassle creating a siphon
- No more connecting the Python to its flimsy faucet adapter
- No more spills, buckets, or dragging around tubing
To backflush: (comes standard)
This allows you to get rid of accumulated detritus in the filter pot, and it washes thru your media in reverse flow. Your filter outlet (e.g. spray bar) has to be completely under water
Simply open backflush valve (clear tubing allows you to monitor outflow of brown crap)
Ignore T-splitter (one end closed)
And drain into backyard (or where ever gravity leads you)
To use siphon for gravel vac:
Even if you have a good waterchange regimen, detritus still accumulates in corners of your tank or gravel/sand. Many of us use a Python (or similar product) to get the party started. But the cumbersome adapter is annoying and more hassle than benefit - if you can do this:
Close valve on end of tubing in your backyard (or toilet, whatever)
Close backflush valve
Connect tubing to T-splitter and open valve
Connect your choice of 36'' gravel tube to tubing via Python connector (I use the thin pipe for spot-cleaning, the larger diameter tube for sand vac)
And drain into backyard (or where ever gravity leads you)
If you do not have enough suction (i.e. height difference between water level and end of tubing) to fill the gravel tube and continue the siphon, then I suggest the following:
- Close draining valve on end of tubing (in backyard)
- Open backflush valve on canister
- Open valve to gravel tube
- Hold gravel tube with opening pointing up
- Gravel tube will fill with water
- When almost filled to the rim, cover the opening with your hand and transfer it - turning it upside down for use - into your tank
- Then simply close the backflush valve and open the terminal drain valve.
This way I change about 50-75 gal on my 220 tank, first washing out the filter media, and then cleaning gravel in the same setting. The tubing is permanently set up and hidden under my cabinet. It's a matter of less than a minute to get started.
Beat that, Python
HarleyK
Very Nice!
