Lately a lot of posts have been coming on here with tragic stories of fish being sucked up and injured or killed either in siphon tubes or filter intakes. The other moderators and I just want to post a warning for everyone to see.

1) SIPHONING/GRAVEL VACUUMING:
Siphoning is extremely dangerous because of very strong suction being pulled through a small opening in a tube. If youve ever gently placed your finger on or near the tube while it is siphoning you know very well the extreme pressure it has which can pull your finger in and not let go. The longer something is on the end the more intense the suction becomes. As strong as it is on your finger, imagine how dangerous it can be for a small fish.

The number one rule while siphoning, while using either a gravel vac attachment, open tube or Python, is to NEVER look away or leave the tube unattended. It is easy to look away for a second but a second is all it takes to hurt or kill your fish. The Python comes with a handy open/close switch that can be used. If youre using just an open tube or vacuum then keep your finger over the end–which stops the suction–anytime youre looking away.

Some members have suggested using a tank divider to block the fish in one section of the tank while you are cleaning another part. This is a great idea. In larger tanks the fish will usually just stay to one side.

2) FILTER INTAKES
Now on to filter intakes–they can be dangerous for the same reasons as the siphon tubes. Make sure your filter ALWAYS has a strainer on the end of it. All hang on back and canister filters are supposed to come with a strainer. It should not be flat against the opening of the tube; it should be a long plastic strainer which either comes to a point or is a long cylinder with slats in it.

Bubble eye owners are strongly urged to put some sort of protection around the filter intake to avoid the bubbles being sucked against or into the strainer. They can easily be damaged, leaving the fish open to infection and disfigurement. Some pet stores sell special sponges that can be placed over the openings. A simple and cheap suggestion is to take a piece of filter sponge and wrapping it around the strainer and fastening it with a rubber band. These suggestions also work well if you have baby fish.

Let's stay safe out there!

Heres a picture of my Aquaclear intake tube,it is made out of 2 parts.

(i think to problem with peoples filters is that they don't have the second piece)

Thank you for posting that pic! I will try and take a pic of my canister intakes so people can see the different types.

Sorry about it being fuzzy...Oh anytime i was thinking that it would be
a good idea to post a picture.. so people know.
Thats a great idea Jenny.

good info.

Thank you for typing up that info, it helps people who need this info

I got my fish tank from a friend . her fish kept getting sucked up the filter. I got a new filter and my fish are alive and well.

oh my god, that's horrible. do you remember what type of filter it was? Thank goodness you got a new filter (and the tank, too!)

--nmt

That happend to me like a year ago with my bio wheel- penguin mini... but it was a sick fish and was getting caught up in the current i guess? kinda sad story ... she was getting better in a quarenting tank then ... i put her back in and when i came back from class her tail was sucked in and was barily moving. SO sad. It was the only time i euthinized one of my fish. Still sad to this day.

so if anyone has a pinguin mini becarefull with your weak fish... i still use the bio wheel now ... and haven't had a problem.

Cheers

DPG

Hey everyone, if you want to be even more careful (I use the same filter as you Black Oranda) I take a rectangle filter for my AquaClear 300, cut it in half, then I place one over the pointy part of that second piece(i cut an X in the top of the sponge before I insert the pointy part in there) thats how I do it
Its easy to clean! and last long! and super super safe!

great info!

Thanks. I never realized that the "vacuum cleaner" had that much suction power!
Do you guys remember the part in the movie where Nemo almost got sucked into the impeller? Scary!

ya it was aqua tech 20-40. Its a 2 piece with a strong intake.I am very glade I got a new one. This one is not closed. It was just a tube.

It killed 3or 4 fish.

i am getting goldfish for the second time, ever scince my comet, steevie, dieda few months ago. my cousins are giving away some bubble eyes, i am not sure on whether i should take them or get new comets, i heard bubble eyes are prone to disease and their eyes are easily damaged, me being a beginer i am not sure what i should do, HELP! :crp

what you say is true.But I have a bubble eye and they are quite hardy. I would get both
(or what ever is cheaper)!



I am sorry about your fish.REALY!!How long have the bubble eyes been avalible?Have eny gotten sick?If there are any dead ones,then dont get any one of the bubble eyes.


I also segest that you prevent these disises.Keep low ammonia and stuff.If your fish do get sick, put it in the emergincy 911 or 999 section. Then we can help you. :angel