Gravel Vacuume

[TehTANK]

I was curious to see what kind of Vacuumes everyone uses. I am looking to get a very powerful one. The one I have now doesn't do the greatest job. My substrate is rocks that medium size I guess....anyone want to respond?

[xoolooxunny]

I dont use one. If i have a particular spot that needs cleaning, i'll just point the tube over there when im sucking water out for a water change
I didnt even know they made actual powered vacuums!

[TehTANK]

I am not looking for one that is powered. I am just looking for one that is strong. I have a normal gravel vacumme. I just am curious to what everyone uses and what is the best most powerful(sucking action) out there.

[xoolooxunny]

Hmm, mine came with my filter. For more suction power, you want to put the out-flowing end of the tube as low as possible, the greater the height distance between the two ends of the tube, the greater the suction.

[SouthernGal0682]

I just use the regular ole' plastic siphon. Like xoolooxunny said, the lower the end of the tube, the more suction you will get. I put old panty hose over then end of mine though because I have flourite in my tank and live plants. The panty hose keeps from disturbing the flourite too much :ezpi_wink1:

[TehTANK]

Understandable. Thanks for the information. Is there a shape that works better? Something to add more strength? I can't move my tank any higher to get more power....

[SouthernGal0682]

I could be wrong because I have recently gotten back into the hobby after a few year hiatus, but I'm pretty sure a siphon is a siphon...they will all work with the same speed and suction. The only thing I can think of that MIGHT make a difference is the diameter of the tube. I dunno...somebody correct me if I'm worng.

[xoolooxunny]

I could be wrong because I have recently gotten back into the hobby after a few year hiatus, but I'm pretty sure a siphon is a siphon...they will all work with the same speed and suction. The only thing I can think of that MIGHT make a difference is the diameter of the tube. I dunno...somebody correct me if I'm worng.

well if we're talking airline tubing compared to the plastic siphon, obviously the siphon. Im not sure if the siphon is more powerful than the hose you attach to it or vise versa, i just like using the tube to suck up some snails and clean the tops of rocks, ill have to try that panty hose trick tho! my flourite doesnt like to be disturbed either!

[cocoa_pleco]

i use a python

[Chrona]

If the end piece (the end you stick into the gravel) is larger than the tubing diameter, you get less suction. If it's skinnier, you get more suction. Most vacuums have a large diameter end piece with a skinnier tubing because the crud you want to suck out is only very slightly heavier than water, so you don't need much, and this way, your substrate (unless you have fine sand) doesn't get sucked out.

[Severus]

My Python does a pretty good job, i cant really complain

[cocoa_pleco]

My Python does a pretty good job, i cant really complain



i like mine too. No more bucket hauling. It also has a 10:1 pressure ratio, pretty impressive

[Severus]

Yea, it is worth every penny i spent on it

[kimmers318]

If you are trying to get more suction due to a low tank try using just the tubing that comes with the vac, but it will suck rocks up too. I have found this to be very good on my bottom tanks, but I have sand which helps. If you have the money and can install a canister filter, some of them are made with intake sizes that are the same as some syphon tubes and come with an attachment to use the filter for vacumming up the crud, but you still have to manually remove water. I use the hose only technique because it makes it easier to suck up those dead snail shells from feeding my puffers.:hmm3grin2orange:

[thecoolguy]

i bought a siphon vacuum here in china for 50cents US ... and it works awesome!

the sucking end is 9/10 skinny tube, and 1/10 a big tube attachment

when i am doing general water changing - i leave the big attachment on - if i want some serious suction power (like pulling up gravel and everything else in sight) - i take off the attachment and the power goes up by like 500%!

good stuff......

skinny sucking tube = massive sucking power

[Nautilus29]

I have some sort of python I think. But I still haul buckets around. I like it alot.

[TehTANK]

Well I went out and bought a Python last night and hooked it up to my kitchen sink which is only about 15 feet from my tank. Well I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread! It cut my clean time by more then half. I didn't spill one single drop of water and my wife was actually happy about me cleaning my tank for once. So anyway, if anyone is thinking about getting one, I recommend it completely! This also solved my gravel vaccume suction power problem. That this is mad powerful! Anyway, just wanted to share my joy.

Thanks!

[cocoa_pleco]

mine saved me alot of water damage. Im really messy, and with hauling buckets im bound to step on something and trip with the bucket. Python saves alot of work.

[Mrs. Crabtree]

Is it possible to put a "Y" connector (with flow switch) onto the intake line of a canister filter and use one side of the Y for a vacuum when needed? Has anyone done this?