Gravel Vac

[ChrisP]

I tried this somewhere else with no reply so thought I would see what my fellow planted tank users used.

My trusty hagen has had its day, Ive had it about 3 years now and its time for a replacement. Anyone any ideas? I want something quite cheap and with a good long reach as that was the problem with the hagen!

What do you use?

 

[Themuleous]

I take it this isnt a planted tank?

I can I highly recommend the Lee's gravel vac, I have used one similar to the hagen one and found that the gravel just got stuck in the pipe. The lee's one has the added 'wings' on the side so the gravel gets moved around in the bottom of the pipe (like a washing machine) which allows lots of the crap to get sucked up. My favorite by far.

Sam

 

[ChrisP]

Yes this is my main planted tank.

Problem with those cleaners is they pull the gravel up which would be no good if their was a carpeting plant or smiliar.

Thats kind of why I liked my hagen as it was battery powered so I could just vac up all the crap without disturbing the substrate too much.

 

[Themuleous]

Oh right, well in that case I just use a piece of pipe, don't really need any fancy attachments, just suck up the crud when you do the water changes. Can be as long as you want then too

Sam

 

[ChrisP]

That sounds better although ideally I would like something battery powered so I can vac whenever I like and not have to do a waterchange everytime.

Also means I dont have to suck on a pipe to get it going.

 

[Themuleous]

Ummm tasty tank water...

 

[Acchy]

I tried this somewhere else with no reply so thought I would see what my fellow planted tank users used.

My trusty hagen has had its day, Ive had it about 3 years now and its time for a replacement. Anyone any ideas? I want something quite cheap and with a good long reach as that was the problem with the hagen!

What do you use?

I have been using an Eheim automatic gravel cleaner for a while now.

Eheim ( second picture down )

It does a great job, and the batteries last for ages ( Duracell included ! )

EDIT

Oops, just re-read your post, its not cheap though, I believe it costs around 50 pounds in the UK.

 

[Qays]

i have an algarde one.

I have got used to it now and its quite good. You pump it with your hands to get it going, and it sucks all the rubbish up. but they gravel doesnt get sucked up because it has a sort of protection thing.