How to Siphon Water Faster

[AMorra]

Hi There,
I have a 20 gallon hexagon aquarium. I own a python gravel siphon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002APRVK/?tag=

I find this one is good when I want to clean the gravel, as it doesnt take out too much water too fast. But when I just want to do a water change, it seems too slow of a flow. Anybody have ideas on which gravel siphon I should buy just for water changes that has a really high flow rate.... does the gravel chamber have anything to do with it (i.e: the fatter the chamber, the more flow or the bigger the hose is in diameter, the higher the flow)?

Thanks!

 

[NickAu]

A bigger siphon may suck out the gravel as well.

 

[AMorra]

So a bigger intake tube, as well as hose?

 

[StevenF]

If you don't want to vacuum the gravel and do a water change then use a larger diameter tube and keep it away from the gravel and try to keep it way from the fish. Keeping it away will prevent fish or gravel from being pulled in. Flow increases with tube size. If desired you can put a screen over the end of the tube to prevent anything from being pulled in. The gravel will slow the flow of water if the hose is pushed into the gravel.

 

[carlobellina]

I had a larger one and one of my fish got sucked in unnoticed and lost his tail. It grew back but I stopped using the larger one. Be careful

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[nortonmad213]

i use an old filter intake with the mesh on the bottom for water changes, the water floods out everywhere the main problem is stopping it ha

 

[DutchMuch]

Python, if you want it to go by faster make the intake larger. Upgrade basically.

 

[dave840f1]

Do you have an external canister filter on your tank. What I do is disconnect the in/out unit (For want of a better description) and open the valves I find this method to be ok. I have a Fluval 306 (New model)

 

[Toney]

I imagine gravity would work a lot better than that python device

 

[Ch4rlie]

Another option, you could add a universal pump to the hose to increase suction speed of water.

Like these for examples, there are all sorts of sizes that may fit your purposes and budget, worth shopping around to find cheaper ones perhaps if this is an option you like. I use one of these personally as well sometimes, does the job.

http://charterhouse-aquatics.com/shop/aquatics/aquarium-pumps/eheim-universal