Extracting debris without removing water???

[TheDudeAbides818]

Does anyone have any suggestions for removing waste and debris from gravel without the removal of the tank water? In between water changes I’d like to be able to do a little upkeep. Can only remove so much without removing so much water.

 

[GaryE]

It seems counter-intuitive. How much builds up between weekly water changes?

I never top up either, for what that info's worth. Water changes are good things.

 

[MaloK]

Yes, there are many options...

But probably everybody here will have the same "lips burning question..."

Aqueon ProClean Gravel Vacuum: This vacuum features a built-in filter that traps debris while allowing the clean water to flow back into the aquarium.

Marineland Magnum 350 Pro Filter: While primarily a canister filter, it can also be used as a gravel vacuum with the included siphon tube. It has a large filter capacity to handle debris effectively.

Fluval Gravel Vac: This vacuum features a reusable filter that can be easily cleaned and replaced.

But... "Why ?"

BTW: All of them makes water murky. Not a single one can handle Mulm for real. you would need a sediment bed filter to do so.

A scam if you ask me.

 

[Back in the fold]

It’s maybe time for the old fashioned dip tube to make a comeback . I made a kind of a one by zip tying a piece of airline tubing to a stick . I use it to get uneaten food and unsightly turds in between water changes .

 

[MaloK]

It’s maybe time for the old fashioned dip tube to make a comeback . I made a kind of a one by zip tying a piece of airline tubing to a stick . I use it to get uneaten food and unsightly turds in between water changes .

You're the man. I'm the man, he's the man as well !!!

 

[TheDudeAbides818]

It seems counter-intuitive. How much builds up between weekly water changes?

I never top up either, for what that info's worth. Water changes are good things.

It’s not that a lot builds up in between, it’s just that after the last water change I realized there were some significant spots I missed that had a lot of debris built up. Perhaps I’m just overthinking this too much. It’s never going to be 100% debris-free, and my water is currently crystal clear. I suppose that and the fact that the water is testing good as well shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

 

[GaryE]

You could use a siphon hose through a coffee filter type thing - whatever's lying around. Just let the water fall back into the tank.

Or siphon normally, and drop a jug of water in after to compensate.

 

[Mikeyboy123]

You could use a siphon hose through a coffee filter type thing - whatever's lying around. Just let the water fall back into the tank.

Or siphon normally, and drop a jug of water in after to compensate.

Yeah, just clean the gravel with a siphon as normal and then quickly filter the water you've removed and put back in tank. I sometimes do this. A fine mesh filter works quite well - the type used to strain off BBS.