How to clean a gravel vac?

L

Lissa B

AC Members
Aug 8, 2008
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Chicago, Illinois
My gravel vacuum has what appears to be algae or some other kind of grime in the clear tubing - I've tried hot water and that kind of thing, but I can't seem to get it off the walls of the tube. Is there any way to clean it? I'm guessing pouring unclogging chemicals down it won't be very fish safe. ;)
 
both of mine have that. i just ignore it
 
you can try a mild bleach solution
 
I used bleach on mine when it got mold inside the tube, just run some mild bleach and hot water through it a couple times and then make sure to rinse it thoroughly.

I think I filled a bucket with bleach water and then emptied the bucket using the python, then ran hot water back through again, then just rinsed a couple times.
 
Mine got mildewed, so I decided to make it the quarantine tank water vac and go get a new one for my main tank.
I wonder--is there any good way to dry them out better after using them, to prevent mildew/mold? I've tried hanging them up, and blowing air through them :), but nothing seems to get them really dry.
 
Bleach, plug one end and fill, let sit about 20 minutes, rinse well....:)
 
Like others have already said bleach is your best bet........just make sure to rinse very well until you can't smell any more bleach and when you cant smell it anymore rinse it one more time just for good measure.....
 
I use a weighted string to pull a bottle brush through mine to clean it. It does a fairly good job and no chemical contamination risk.
 
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