Need recommendation for gravel vacuum

[bossteck]

Hi all,

After 2 years, I think it is high time I vacuum the gravel in my plant tank. I do no own a vacuum at the moment, so hoping someone can provide good recommendations. I am total newbie when it comes to this, so if it is not too much trouble, I would be grateful if someone can explain how the device works as well.

On top of cleaning the gravel, I hope it can help to 'uncompact' the gravel. Is this possible?

How do you avoid damages to plants when you vacuum the gravel? Would it cause any damage?

Thanks for reading.

[fisherw]

The typical gravel vacuum is a hose for siphoning attached to a tube with a larger diameter. The idea, I believe, is that the larger diameter results in a lower suction which brings the gravel only up to a certain height while the lighter waste, etc. continues to be siphoned out. The basic model is just that, a hose attached to a wider tube.

The next one up which is the one I have, has a turning knob. This allows the user to control the strength of the suction which I find useful. Too strong a suction removes moss not tied down properly, so lowering the suction here helps. The one I have is from Qian Hu.

One problem is the short hose. A problem if your tank is high up so the hose might not reach the pail on the floor or when you start the siphon (more below). The other is if your water drain-hole is away from your tank, requiring you to empty into pails (a big problem if you have a big tank).

Use is easy. Move the tube in the tank water rapidly up and down a couple of times till a siphon forms. This sometimes dislodges the hose (problem mentioned above) from the pail.

The better “mouse-trap” is the python which seems to be very popular where it is available. See this:

http://www.aquahobby.com/products/e_python.php

Uncompacting is not a problem for me. I use lapis and only one medium. Don’t know if you will have problems with other types or if you have a fert layer. Uncompacting happens when you vacuum the gravel so one and the same thing.

I stay an inch or so away from the plant base so have not uprooted plants and hopefully damaged roots.

I hope this helps and hope this is what you mean.

[bossteck]

Hi fisherw,

Thanks for taking the time and effort to explain how things work and the recommendations. Very helpful of you.

Cheers

[fisherw]

No probs. You're most welcome.

[yappeyap]

Hi FisherW,

Any idea where can i find this "Python No-Spill Clean", i face the similar problem too, hose to difficult to move around the tank with plants here and there

Cheers!
Alex

[Quixotic]

While I have not used them before, the November issue of Practical Fishkeeping has a short review of gravel cleaners.

The two you listed are reviewed in there. The reviewer had problems with the Sera gravel cleaner and prefer a more conventional style of siphon. The reviewer found the Eheim to be pretty favourable.

P.S. PM me if you wish to borrow the copy.

Eric, there are 10 gravel cleaners reviewed here (very short though), including Python Gravel Cleaner, but hey, it's a guide. The recommended "best buy" is the Betta Gravel Cleaner.

It is another question though if the lesser known products are available in Singapore, but... eBay, Yahoo Auctions are just a click away.

The offer above stands for anyone who wants to have a read.

[fisherw]

Hi FisherW,

Any idea where can i find this "Python No-Spill Clean", i face the similar problem too, hose to difficult to move around the tank with plants here and there

Cheers!
Alex

Understand it is pretty rare here. But at least one forumer here has bought it. See

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=13445

Read his review. Looks like he did not regret buying it although he thinks it is a bit expensive.

A link from the thread is:

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/m_python+_waterchange.htm

Looks like it might be easy to DIY assuming you get the right size parts.

Problem is I can't see where the taps are. The concept seems simple enough. Fill the entire hose with water (basic principle for siphon; either suck to fill or fill from tap) and if the water surface in the tank is above the outlet end, you don't even need the venturi effect. Otherwise, the water from the tap draws the waste water out. Reminds me of the simple suction in science lab class; attach one end to the tap, turn the tap on and a suction pump is formed.

I suppose a tap or one of those garden hose attachment (twist to let the water flow) near the outlet hose would work.

Has anyone DIYed one?

[bossteck]

I will go shop around some neighbourhood LFS.
Nowadays getting quite lazy to DIY

[fisherw]

This is too newbie a question for an old hand.
You can get the Taiwan-made ones for less than $15. I bought it years back for $12.90, I think. It has served me well all these years. It comes with a blue hose and pump, and a clear cylindrical funnel plus a valve. Very durable too.

I know what you mean. I was most surprised to see the thread from the "old" hand.

[bossteck]

Hee...

So for guys using gravel vacuum, if you're letting the vacuum hover about 1 inch above the gravel and letting the suction do its job, the uncompacting effect isn't really that great right? What else can be done?

[bossteck]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the information.

Went to a couple of LFS opposite my work place yesterday, none of them carries the python.

Seemed like really no choice, I will try to hook up something tonight using coke bottle and a hose and report on the effect Who knows, maybe can add my creation to the list Quixotic mentioned

Cheers

[Quixotic]

DIY Python Gravel Cleaner

[bossteck]

Hi Mike,

Should have been clearer in my statement, I did saw those which you mentioned, just that the LFS doesn't carry the python gravel cleaner.

The problem with the ones which you're describe is that the larger diameter portion of the gravel cleaner is quite short, this means that there is a higher chance for gravel to be sucked into the hose, of course, if you're siphoning water into a pail, it is no issue because after that you can always return them to the tank. But I am looking for one which has 2 features which I will find desirable
1. Clear (transparent) portion, so you can see the vacuum in action
2. Longer portion so less likelihood of gravel being sucked out

Hi Quixotic,

Thanks for the link.

[bossteck]

Ah, I see...

Ok, I will keep a look out for it then. Thanks Mike!

[tonylai]

How come noone here using those battery operated water pump? Most LFS sell those for around $15. I've been using for few years and on my 2nd one now. Serves me well. Think is Mr Aqua brand.

It's basically a battery operated pump. In the suction end, you can use those gravel cleaner attachment provided. The output end, you can either connect a normal hose into a pail or there is an attachment with a cloth filter bag. That's to allow water to go thru the filter and back into the tank. So you can clean the gravel without draining the tank water.

I always use this device to do my weekly water topup from a pail.

[bossteck]

Ok, time for me to follow up on this.

I cut off the bottom of a plastic soda bottle, stuff one end of the hose which I use for water changes into the bottle, it wasn't a snug fit, but I overcome it by tying some rubberbands to the hose.

A $0 gravel vaccum was made.

The results, I managed to vaccum without major incident, didn't suck out any gravel, managed to turn over most of the gravel, managed to break off some leaves of my plants while cupping down the bottle onto the gravel (needs some refinement, looking for a longish, more narrow transparent bottle at the moment), managed to create some small hills and valleys in my tank due to the cleaning. I am now waiting for my 2 little horse face loaches to smoothen things out.

[Aquaculture]

How come noone here using those battery operated water pump? Most LFS sell those for around $15. I've been using for few years and on my 2nd one now. Serves me well. Think is Mr Aqua brand.

It's basically a battery operated pump. In the suction end, you can use those gravel cleaner attachment provided. The output end, you can either connect a normal hose into a pail or there is an attachment with a cloth filter bag. That's to allow water to go thru the filter and back into the tank. So you can clean the gravel without draining the tank water.

I always use this device to do my weekly water topup from a pail.

I'm curious on this battery operated pump. May I know how powerful is it?

I'm currently toying with the idea of having an electrical pump to pump out the water... probably one which has the lowest flowrate. Maybe anything <50l. What do you think?

[tonylai]

This battery operated pump is not that powerful. Good enough to change water, vacuum out dirt from the gravel. With new battery can lift water about 50cm or so. Meaning if you use this to change water, the water level can't be >50cm below the tank. For me I put my pail of fresh water on a high chair to lift it up.