Filter Maintenance Without Double Stop Taps?

[daizeUK]

I've got an Eheim Classic but the double stop taps are seperate (and not that cheap).
 
Does anyone keep one of these things without the taps?  How easy is it?  I guess I would need to take all the pipes out of the tank during maintenance to stop a siphon effect!

 

[TaurineLittle]

What I've done for my canister filter is get two ball valves and attach them to the filter pipes that run to the tank, and then on the filter side of the valves I put those quick clip hose connectors like what you find on your everyday garden hose.
So when ever you need to do maintenance on the filter, flick the valves off and you can easily disconnect it without the loss of siphon and you don't need to take the pipes out of your tank.

 

[DrRob]

Lift filter above tank, put filter in bucket, release clips.
 
You'll get some backwash out of the filter into the tank, which is annoying, but it works.

 

[daizeUK]

Thanks for the ideas!
 
The Eheim pipes are only 12mm so I think garden hose connectors would be too big wouldn't they?
The canister will be kept under the tank in a cupboard with pipes fed through holes in the back of the cupboard.  I'd have to disconnect the pipes somehow before I could lift the canister out.

 

[DrRob]

OK, can you lift the pipes out of the tank, that way, at least, you're not creating an open syphon. Pipes in a bucket, filter in a bucket, open the clips.

 

[daizeUK]

Yes.  Sounds like it's going to be a pain!  I may as well stick with an internal filter for all that hassle!
 
I guess I need to fork out £12 each for the stop taps.  Or find a cheaper alternative that will fit 12mm pipes... just looking at hose accessories now!