Battery Powered Gravel Vac?

[rainydayz]

Hello! I have had my 40 g tank for a few months and I always have a lot of crud in my gravel. My fish seem to be quite the poo-ers. I have a gravel vac for when I do my water changes. I was at Petco and saw a battery powered gravel vac that does not dump out water, it just filters the big stuff out. I wanted to get this for in between my regular water changes. Hoping this will clear up my water a bit. Good idea?? If not please let me know why! Thank you for your input!!!!

 

[fluttermoth]

I'd say...bad idea.

You're better off jut doing more water changes to get it out, IMO; but do bear in mind, that as long as it is poo down there, and not uneaten food, it's not too much to worry about (apart from looks).

 

[ZoddyZod]

no harm in removing additional poo between water changes.

 

[fluttermoth]

no harm in removing additional poo between water changes.

Well, that is another way of looking at it

I had one of the 'vacuums' that worked from an air pump years ago, and I just decided that, if you were working on the tank sucking the c**p up anyway, you might just as well do a w/c while you're there.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Well, that is another way of looking at it

I had one of the 'vacuums' that worked from an air pump years ago, and I just decided that, if you were working on the tank sucking the c**p up anyway, you might just as well do a w/c while you're there.

yeah, but you dont need the additional effort of carrying buckets around for the sake of removing a few grams of poo.

 

[fluttermoth]

Fair enough

I'd rather carry a bucket, and you'd rather clean a hoover bag! I think we can agree to differ on this one

Over to you, OP, which would you rather do?

 

[raptorrex]

Hello! I have had my 40 g tank for a few months and I always have a lot of crud in my gravel. My fish seem to be quite the poo-ers. I have a gravel vac for when I do my water changes. I was at Petco and saw a battery powered gravel vac that does not dump out water, it just filters the big stuff out. I wanted to get this for in between my regular water changes. Hoping this will clear up my water a bit. Good idea?? If not please let me know why! Thank you for your input!!!!

they can be a great bit of kit. however which one you buy is vital.

as far as i can find out. they only one that works well, for time, is the Eheim.
its a bit costly. but if you have something, it may as well work.
i would advise against any other brand.

but if the PETCO has anything like the powered gravel cleaners sold by PETS@HOME. give it a very wide birth.

 

[KISSfn]

Since recently switching to black sand, I will be buying a turkey baster for spot cleaning in between weekly vacs.

 

[DiabloSandwich]

I got sent the Eheim battery gravel vac by mistake from an online supplier,when they should have sent the normal syphon vac.

Its perfect for cleaning up without disturbing plants ,and while not amazingly powerful,it picks up what you want it to.

I use it to clean without uprooting plants,then use a conventional syphon to do a water change,without going near the bottom of the tank.

Ive read reviews of the Eheim where people flame it as it doesnt remove water while it cleans,but that's the whole point of it.
It isnt supposed to do that,but like a previous poster mentioned,you still have to do water changes,but without the hassle of getting into tight spots with a bigger syphon,and uprooting your plants.

 

[raptorrex]

I got sent the Eheim battery gravel vac by mistake from an online supplier,when they should have sent the normal syphon vac.

Its perfect for cleaning up without disturbing plants ,and while not amazingly powerful,it picks up what you want it to.

I use it to clean without uprooting plants,then use a conventional syphon to do a water change,without going near the bottom of the tank.

Ive read reviews of the Eheim where people flame it as it doesnt remove water while it cleans,but that's the whole point of it.
It isnt supposed to do that,but like a previous poster mentioned,you still have to do water changes,but without the hassle of getting into tight spots with a bigger syphon,and uprooting your plants.

yep, as i said. it really does the job. I've yet to find another battery powered cleaner that even works, after a few times.

even air line powerd vacs, dont. lol. well effectively.

 

[rainydayz]

Thank you guys so much for the input!!! You are very helpful!!!!!

 

[Miles_hot]

I assume that the eheim wouldn't be any use over sand?

 

[raptorrex]

I assume that the eheim wouldn't be any use over sand?

I can see no reason, why not, to. though you will not "dig" in the substrate.
any sand collected can be returned, after washing.
though my guess is, it was not designed with sand in mind.