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Old 02-06-2005, 10:12 AM   #1
hypersushi
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Default Gravel Siphon: Which do you recommend?

Was at the LFS and couldn't decide what gravel siphon to purchase. Basically, the Marina Easy Clean looked solid but the lack of a pump and the need to continuously stab at the gravel to suck the water out just made me hesistate to buy. Here's a pic if you don't know what I'm talking about:

http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/pro...01110630020101

The LFS guy then recommended me the Japanese version (slightly cheaper) with a pump, but looked less solid. It looks exactly like this pic:
http://www.orca888.com/asiphon.htm

I also saw many other types like this one.. but looked really foreign to me:
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/pro...01010100020101

So guys, what should I get? I plan to buy a 4ft planted tank soon. Right now, have a 2ft tank (unplanted) and the water needs cleaning soon so I thought might as well buy a siphon I can use for both my current and future tank. Comments?
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Old 02-06-2005, 11:55 AM   #2
|ceberg
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In my opinion, its highly not recommended if you plan to have base fert and gravel lying on top of it. The siphon is going to mix up the two and leech
the base fert contents into the water column which can prove fatal to the livestock. Some people will choose to have multi layers of gravels/base fert in their planted setup. This will mess them up

In fact, after the plants have rooted in and the setup is done. Are you
prepared to uproot the plants just to do some gravel cleaning? Dun really
think there is much of a need to clean the gravels after the plants are
settled in by the way.
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Old 02-06-2005, 03:09 PM   #3
hypersushi
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Thanks Iceberg... erm... no other comments from the rest? Does it mean you guys don't bother getting a specialised gravel filter? Just go with that cheap generic red pump one?
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Old 02-06-2005, 03:13 PM   #4
|ceberg
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Frankly speaking and IMO, I dont think many bros here use the gravel siphon
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Old 02-06-2005, 05:04 PM   #5
higher
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I do use siphons, but the red hand pump kind, gives you more control and flexibility, plus it only costs a buck or two.
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Old 02-06-2005, 08:51 PM   #6
the_r0ck
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I got siphons, and use it all the time. The red hand pump, the "specialized" siphon which "filter" big pieces and a Mr Aqua battery operated siphon.

i kinda like the Mr Aqua thingy, it's flexible as I can hover it around and "brush" things slightly. Pretty fun to see the fishes interact with it too.
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Old 04-06-2005, 04:59 PM   #7
dragonfly72
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For me currently i used generic pump as its convenient and easy to use.
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Old 04-06-2005, 07:47 PM   #8
|squee|
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Generic pump user here.

However, getting tired of the slow water changes, probably will change to a battery operated one.
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