After some time after starting the aquarium, you may notice an unpleasant picture in your aquarium. Remnants of fish activity, pieces of plants and other debris will begin to accumulate at the bottom. The amount of garbage in the aquarium directly depends on the volume of the aquarium, the number of its inhabitants and also the types of fish. (For example, goldfish are still piglets and leave behind quite a lot of waste). The color of the soil also affects the appearance of the bottom of the aquarium. After all, it is clear that on a light monochromatic soil, the debris remains will be more noticeable than on a dark one.
But in any case, the time will come when the appearance of the soil will start to “annoy” you and you will think how to remove it from there. And for this, they invented such a device as a siphon for the soil in the aquarium.
Gravel cleaner. Principle of operation.
Any gravel cleaner works in exactly the same way as a regular hose, with which you make water changes. Only in it, along with the water all the dirt is sucked from the bottom of the aquarium. With a normal hose, the bottom can only be wiped out in aquariums without any soil at all. And in the aquarium with the ground, along with the garbage, you will suck the sand itself.
The difference of the cleaner for the soil is that the so-called glass (plastic tube) is located at the end of the hose, in which the soil with garbage rises only to a certain height. But to rise higher and get into the hose can only lighter trash, and heavy sand again sinks to the bottom.
There are a huge number of types and models of gravel cleaners - mechanical, electrical and even airlift (with the help of air). But the principle of work for all is the same - to lift and suck all the garbage from the bottom, while leaving the ground in place.
I tried many different models until I found one like the one below.

Gravel cleaner with adjustable valve.
I ordered such gravel cleaner on the Internet. And this cleaner several big advantages in comparison with similar devices. And the most important of them is the presence of an adjustable water flow valve. With it, you can safely adjust the suction force, and with one hand and right during the cleaning process (video at the end of the article).
And also a very long and most importantly, a completely transparent glass, through which it is very convenient to completely control the whole process. And inside of which, a removable mesh is built in, to protect the fish, fry and shrimps from accidentally caught during the cleaning process from being sucked.
Gravel cleaner. Conclusion.
As for me, this is one of the most convenient models for a soil siphon in an aquarium. The price in China is about 6-10 €. Made a short video clip. The quality is amateur, but the principle of operation of the variable valve can be understood.
Our Video:
Similar articles:
Aquariums and Equipment:
-
Aquarium Filter Do It Yourself! DIY (In 20 Minutes)! 2018-06-08
-
LED Aquarium Lighting. Going from T5 to LED and Forget them Like A Dream. 2018-12-27
-
Aquarium Temperature - This is Important! (Types of 2019 Thermometers). 2018-04-21
-
Small Bubble Air Sprayer: DIY! Personal Experience (+ Photos)! 2018-09-03
-
TDS In Aquarium: Review (2019), Test and Shock from Prices in Stores! 2018-10-04


Leave a Reply