Gravel Vaccum

[Tomegoodwin]

Hey is there any decent affordable gravel vaccumes about for sale anywhere at all? I am in need of one and have no idea how much the cost or even no how to use them ( I've just started )

 

[slimeneo]

I use this, it's pretty cheap I think. http/www.amazon.com/Aqueon-06228-Medium-Aquarium-Cleaner/dp/B004RK40OQ

 

[GavSuz]

i use the electric gravel cleaner ( well battery )
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Battery-Vacuum-Syphon-Auto-Gravel-Water-Filter-Cleaner-Washer-/290770469630?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item43b34542fe&_uhb=1

 

[Tomegoodwin]

Looks like I'll be getting one of eBay then

 

[raptorrex]

if you are going to use it for a number of years.
take a look at the Eheim quick vac.
its a bit costly but WORKS well, and works for years.

 

[David Moses8100]

if you are going to use it for a number of years.
take a look at the Eheim quick vac.
its a bit costly but WORKS well, and works for years.

I'm totally agree with you.I personally used it.You'r 100% good here that if you are going to use it for a period of time take a look at the Eheim quick vac.No doubt its a bit expensive but work well as well as for the long period of time.I agreed what's said above!!!

 

[tribalbrit]

plastic coke bottle with bottom cut off. fix hose to top with tape or similar. Done and it dont get any cheaper than that!

 

[raptorrex]

plastic coke bottle with bottom cut off. fix hose to top with tape or similar. Done and it dont get any cheaper than that!

lol, great idea!
they work really well dont they?
I'll be tempted to do that when my current item expires.

problem is, it only cleans gravel as you change the water.
there is often not enough time to clean the entire substrate, before you remove all the water you need to.
hence the "wish" for a gravel only cleaner.

 

[dbanner]

plastic coke bottle with bottom cut off. fix hose to top with tape or similar. Done and it dont get any cheaper than that!

lol, great idea!
they work really well dont they?
I'll be tempted to do that when my current item expires.

problem is, it only cleans gravel as you change the water.
there is often not enough time to clean the entire substrate, before you remove all the water you need to.
hence the "wish" for a gravel only cleaner.

I remove 50% of the water twice a week in my 450 litre.... Plenty of time to clean the entire substrate before i take even 20% of water out using my ordinary gravel vac.... Same goes for when I use it on the 260 litre, 180 litre, 125 and 110. I do use sand in all my tanks though which is so much easier to clean than gravel. Hate gravel now.

 

[raptorrex]

plastic coke bottle with bottom cut off. fix hose to top with tape or similar. Done and it dont get any cheaper than that!

lol, great idea!
they work really well dont they?
I'll be tempted to do that when my current item expires.

problem is, it only cleans gravel as you change the water.
there is often not enough time to clean the entire substrate, before you remove all the water you need to.
hence the "wish" for a gravel only cleaner.

I remove 50% of the water twice a week in my 450 litre.... Plenty of time to clean the entire substrate before i take even 20% of water out using my ordinary gravel vac.... Same goes for when I use it on the 260 litre, 180 litre, 125 and 110. I do use sand in all my tanks though which is so much easier to clean than gravel. Hate gravel now.

Ahh, that would be it then.
I have gravel and there aint enough time for my 200 to be done fully @25%

 

[Timmy_Bee]

i dont understand all this "sand is easier to clean"... i have only had a sand tank one, a little 50L ish tank, but it was a right pain! i could never get all the poop out. maybe my gravel vac is a bit rubbish

 

[dbanner]

i dont understand all this "sand is easier to clean"... i have only had a sand tank one, a little 50L ish tank, but it was a right pain! i could never get all the poop out. maybe my gravel vac is a bit rubbish

Yes it would be your gravel vac lol I did used to have gravel in all my tanks but now they all have sand.. Used to be normal kids play sand as it was cheap and looks ok but it's far too dense when in the water and needs to be swirled around from time to time or you get a black line of bacteria going through it which isn't to nice to look at tbh. I know use black Limpopo sand.... It's much nicer looking and a lot lighter so it can be left alone when in the tank.

Sand is a lot easier to clean as you can see the waste that needs to be picked up because it just sits on top of the sand, where as gravel is a right pain because all the waste including any uneaten food falls in between it. It's takes me on average 15 minutes less time to clean my 5 foot 450 litre now I have sand in it.

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Ill get me a bottle of coke and a hose then...

 

[tribalbrit]

smaller bore pipe = slower syphone rate.

 

[raptorrex]

smaller bore pipe = slower syphone rate.

but the water would move faster.
that's why vacs tend to have a larger bore collector tube.
it slows down water speed, whilst moving the same amount of water.