Gravel Vacuum

[FrAnK3333]

ive noticed i lose a lot of water when vauuming the gravel is the normal?

 

[DeadlyAlliance]

Yes this is normal depending on how big your vacumm is.The bigger the vacumm the more water it will suck up. The vacumm sucks the water and debri from the water so yes this is normal.

 

[elgecko]

That's how I do my water changes. I just keep on vacing the gravel till I have removed as much water as I want. Typically around 30%. Then I refill the tank with fresh water.

 

[yvez9]

You should just vacuum the gravel when doing water changes.

Usually, a 20-25% water change will give more than enough time to clean the gravel.

If it's really dirty, do 1 half one day and the next half a day or two later.

 

[asparagus]

Whats the best gravel vac? I would like to use my bathtub for the upstairs tank and the kitchen sink for the downstairs tank. Will the faucet adapter fit on a bathtub faucet? I imagine it will definately fit on the kitchen sink one. Its about 55 feet from the tank to the tub, so Id get the 75 foot long one. If it dosnt fit on the bathtub one, Im going to have to get like a 250 foot long one!
Ive seen a few different brands- are any better than others?
Do they actually work if you hook them up to the faucet?

 

[jmelnek]

You can not go wrong with a python but i have to warn you that they can get pricey...

 

[asparagus]

Keep in mind Im a newbie-
There are a few kinds of pythons out there- do I want this:
http/www.petco.com/product_info.asp?fami...26+Vacuums&ct3=
or this:
http/www.petco.com/product_info.asp?fami...26+Vacuums&ct3=
(not sure those links worked..)

 

[jmelnek]

you would want the second one...

 

[yvez9]

how big are your tanks?

I just bought a 15$ 16 inch syphon and a bucket to do water changes.
Then again, it's just a 20 gallon.

When I get my 225 gallon tank (one day, oh yes, one day...) I will get a python or better yet, have plumbing set up directly to fill up/empty the tank

All i'm saying is if your tank is small, it might just be easier to get a syphon then running a hose all around your house.

and save money to

 

[asparagus]

I so did not mean to hijack this thread. Im so sorry.

I currently have no fish, but I have a 29 gallon tank ready to get fish (Im going on vacation so I have to wait) and I have 2 10 gallons, one will house 2 bettas and one will be a QT. Im also waiting on two 5 gallon bow fronts for more bettas. Im going to be getting a 35 hex after Christmas.
Ill be stocking these at the end of dec.

The little tanks I will use a regular syphon.

You can use the same vac for two different bigger tanks, cant you?
Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[raynist]

Keep in mind Im a newbie-
There are a few kinds of pythons out there- do I want this:
http/www.petco.com/product_info.asp?fami...26+Vacuums&ct3=
or this:
http/www.petco.com/product_info.asp?fami...26+Vacuums&ct3=
(not sure those links worked..)

You can get the second one from Walmart for $29

 

[FrAnK3333]

will i just got my canester filter which comes wiht a vacuum that attachs to the filter, plu s i got my plants but now im out about $130