LJeffries

I have a question about the technique used to vacuum a tank with fish in it. I have a 10 gallon tank that currently has a single pleco in it. Part of the reason for this is that the last time I did a tank vacuuming, my daughter's very inquisitive goldfish got sucked up the vacuum tube because he got stuck when I was trying to start the siphoning. He didn't go past the top of the main vacuum chamber but it sure freaked him out.

Within a week, he was floating on his side unable to right himself. We tried peas and put him in a separate tank for a time but he died. I think it was due to the stress of being sucked up the vacuum, and held there just long enough to thoroughly freak him out.

Since the vacuum has to be held at 45 degrees and "pumped" up and down until siphoning starts, how do you keep the fish away from the end until you can put it in the gravel

Thanks,
Leslie

Craig

if its a common pleco u hav in ur 10gallon then i would strongly suggest u change it 2 a bristlenose pleco as a common pleco will easily outgrow ur tank (if it is a common pleco then take it bak 2 ur local fish store and get a bristlenose) as 4 the vacuumin my fish avoid the vacuum all together as they r scared of it but i would just make sure u start from the corner of the tank makin sure there r no fish below it then gradually work ur way across the gravel but u dont hav 2 vacuum every inch of gravel just do a bit every other water change

C W

Gwenz

Mine do the same, they all seem to be scared of it and avoid it. I'd just start in the corner like Craig said and make sure there and no fish underneath it and then gradualy start moving it accross the gravel.

Hope this is a help.

Gwenz

mistycheri

I have a 10 gal. also, and here's how I do mine. I keep the tubing coiled up and just submerge the whole thing in the tank to get all the air out, the I take the small end of the tubing and put it into a bucket to drain. First I go thru the gravel to clean that, then I kinda prop it in a corner with the nozzel close to the gravel so fisheys don't get sucked up. My fish generally run from it anyway. Hope this helps.