FishProfiles.com Message Forums

	Gravel Vacuums w/o Draining Water?
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	That Eheim gravl vac is way too expensive. I found a gravel vac that doesn't drain water by using an air pump to push the water/debris into the pourous filter bag. But its too weak. I can't get much debris. I have it hooked toa 25feet lining tube. Would cutting it shorter improve the power? Penn-Plax Gravl Vac http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19093;category_id=2001;pcid1=3347;pcid2= Another drainless gravl vac, any experience with the Magnum Power Kleeen?: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3898&Ne=40000&R=12862&N=2004+113165 [span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-09-04 16:35][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	Nope. Its defintely poop/debris/food. When I lightly shake the gravel with my Python, a ton of gunk comes up and its sucked up the tube. :%)
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
Desdinova Hobbyist Posts: 56 Kudos: 98 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Aug-2004	Sly, are you sure its poop? I know that sounds silly, its just with the amount of fish you have and the filtration system, you should not see a problem. I looked up some things on the Amano, they seem to lay eggs like crazy but they never hatch in a freshwater aquarium. Could it be lots of dead shrimp eggs?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sumthin_fishy Enthusiast Posts: 237 Kudos: 314 Votes: 16 Registered: 13-Aug-2004	ya i have the same problem in my smaller tank! sometimes i just control the water flow by pinching the tubing so i can cover more area with less water or if u want to keep the same water in the tank and not spend anything get a funnel, (or cut the base of a 2L soft drink bottle) stuff some cotton wool into the base of the funnel and put in into the bucket where ur siphoning the water into. let the siphon run thru the funnel, into the bucket so it picks up all the gunk then just pour the water back in2 d aquarium!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	Fluval 203 Canister (111GPH) with AquaClear 150 (150GPH). Its an 8.7 turnover rate so its quite adequate.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
Desdinova Hobbyist Posts: 56 Kudos: 98 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Aug-2004	What kind of filtration system are you running?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
T/A Mega Fish Posts: 942 Kudos: 1796 Registered: 20-Feb-2004	keithgh, I actually don't use that exact vac, so I can't question your response. But, I do use a regular siphon set up the way that one is, and even the fine dirt is removed. As you stated in your earlier post, it all depends on how fine the material is that is being used.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	T/A I have seen things like that well over 30+ years ago. They are not new. The major problem is yes it removes the heavy junk but the fines still discolour the water on its return. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
T/A Mega Fish Posts: 942 Kudos: 1796 Registered: 20-Feb-2004	Here is the easiest way to gravel vac without removing any water. http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F11/Class/Fish+Supplies+Cleaning+Equipment/T1/F11+0291+0270/Itemdy00.aspx
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	There's a ton of debris/poop in my 30 gallon tank and I've only recenlty gravel vac the tank twice. The tank have been stocked and running for about a month and a half. The problem is I use a Python to vac but its drains the water too fast. Is there any recommended vacuums that doesn't drain water? I'm really in dire need to fully clean the gravel because an enormous amount of "stuff" rises whenever the gravel is thrashed or moved about. [span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-09-04 16:32][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
victimizati0n Banned Posts: 1217 Kudos: 1105 Votes: 31 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	you guys do know that they make these little handheld gravel vacs that dont take the water out... right.... (for those people who said all gravel vacs take out water) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3895&Ne=40000&R=17725&N=2004+113165
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
Azn_Devil Big Fish Posts: 366 Kudos: 310 Votes: 5 Registered: 30-Apr-2004	like jake said, there are battery powered vacs. pen plax makes some which sucks up the water and they return it into the tank after passing thru a fine net. your problem is the complete opposite of mine -_- i have no money and im suck with cleaning my 30g with a 10g gravel cleaner :\|
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
jake Fish Addict Posts: 594 Kudos: 875 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Mar-2004	There are numerous battery operated vacs on the market, but at best I think they'd be good for small tanks with small amounts of waste. They are battery eaters from what I've read. When you turn the water on for the python, don't turn it up so high. Should give you more time to vac the gravel without sucking the tank dry first.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	sly I know this might seem like a smart A answer but as the water comes out of the tank strain it through some thing very fine and return it to the tank. I have seen a funnel used with several thickness of panty hose used. If that is not posible let it sit for a short time and all the gunk will settle to the bottom of you bucket or container then slowly return it to the tank. If you have the time and patients you keep doing this until all the base is clean. I hope this will help Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	Does Pythons have small hose extensions?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
poisonwaffle Mega Fish Posts: 1397 Kudos: 591 Registered: 11-Feb-2003	A gravel vac with a thinner hose should do the trick. It will slow the flow rate down enough so you can get plenty of guck up without taking much water. It just takes longer to do waterchanges...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	All gravel vacuums drain the water from your tank, because otherwise there would be no way for the 'stuff' to go up the tube and out of the tank. You should just be patient, and vacuum the tank every few days, changing the water while you're at it. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:40


	Jump to:

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies