Good and cheap gravel vacum.

[Malakhov]

(Sorry for the double post, I posted it in the products forum and here but I posted it in the products forum first and then noticed there's not too much traffic there and I need a quick answer, sorry again)

I've set up my tank a few weeks ago and while doing my water changes etc... I haven't cleaned the gravel yet and I'd like to get a vacuum to do so. Problem is I've never used one so I don't really know how they work and before buying one I'd like to know how they work and what's a good and cheap one for a 10 gallon? I was looking at bigal's online and they have a homebrand one at $9.99 and a python one at $19.99 and some other brands that varies between that. Also, do I need to connect this to my sink? That would be a problem since my tank is in my room and I have no sink easily available around the room.


Also, another question, I was thinking of getting the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit at bigals and it was $29.99 CAD, is that a good price or should I wait around and shop and is it really worth it?

Thanks!

[Watcher74]

Well, for a 10 gallon I would suggest this one...

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19135;category_id=2001;pcid 1=3347;pcid2=
Well the link isn't working but its the Big Al's Pro Clean Gravel Washer- Small

It's only $4 and will do fine for a small tank. This doesn't connect to a sink. The ones that connect to sinks are python no-spill gravel vacs. With this one most people stick one end in the tank and suck on the other end until the tube is full of water, then they plop the end into a bucket below the tank. A better way to start the suction is to slowly feed the entire tube into the tank, making sure no air gets trapped in the tube anywhere. Then you reach in the water, cap your thumb over the end, and pull it out and place it in the bucket.

For the test kit...

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19383;category_id=3233;pcid 1=;pcid2=
On this one go to Big Al's website click on "test kits" on the left and it's the first product.
If this is the same thing then in American $ it's a very good price.

[Malakhov]

What the hell, the u.s and canadian prices are out of wack. The gravel filter is $12.99 u.s but $29.99 CAD?

$12.99 u.s is about $17 cad nowadays. I wonder if I can pay in u.s money even though I'm in Canada.

[Dean]

Originally posted by Malakhov
What the hell, the u.s and canadian prices are out of wack. The gravel filter is $12.99 u.s but $29.99 CAD?

$12.99 u.s is about $17 cad nowadays. I wonder if I can pay in u.s money even though I'm in Canada.

I e-mail them about this and no you cannot, they said that they cannot undersell there own stores. The question they didnt answer is why canadains have to pay more, I told them where to put it . If you want you can buy from www.petsolutions.com (in usd.) shipping might be more though but still good prices.

[Emaan]

It's only $4 and will do fine for a small tank. This doesn't connect to a sink. The ones that connect to sinks are python no-spill gravel vacs. With this one most people stick one end in the tank and suck on the other end until the tube is full of water, then they plop the end into a bucket below the tank.

If you go that route be sure not to get the water in your mouth, it's awful. Unfortunately, :sick: I did this one time and never again! You can also use a pumping motion with this type of vac and it works fine.

Emaan

[Watcher74]

By Emaan
You can also use a pumping motion with this type of vac and it works fine.

You got that to work?? I tried it and all I achieved was a lot of splashing and terrified fish.

[Malakhov]

That's really dumb from bigal's part, I will NEVER order from them.

How is this test kit:

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp?pn=17101034

Is it the same one?

[Malakhov]

Oh and dean have you done business with pet solutions, is it good for us canadian folks?

[Dean]

I think their the same test kit.

As for petsolutons click here http://s6.invisionfree.com/AlbertaAquatica/index.php?showtopic=266

It's worth it for larger orders but for one or two items it may not be so good because of shipping. If you want to buy in Canada, depending where you live I know 3 good places online. HTH

[Malakhov]

What good online places do you know for Canada? I'm in Montreal, QC.

I think it would cost me around $40 CAD for that test kit, a nitrate test kit separately since the master kit doesn't have it and one gravel cleaner including shipping.

[Dean]

http://www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c5773.2.html has good shipping rates, not the greatest selection though.

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/shophome.asp?E+scstore good selection, but shipping prices may be more. You can check on the site though.

Both I think are based in Ontario. HTH

[Malakhov]

Why in hell do they want to charge me $17 of freight shipping on a test kit, gravel cleaner and a bottle of fish food, I have no idea. I even took everything out 'cept the test kit and they are still trying to charge me $17 of freight shipping. :rolleyes:

[Dean]

I just did what you did try to buy a gravel cleaner, fish food and master test kit and my shipping was only $7 and I live in alberta. Make shure you slect Canadian Post as shipping method. I doubt the fish food would need to be freighted, how much are you buying?

Here's my example

AP Freshwater Master Test Kit* 1 $ 25.99
ML Siphon Kleen Mini (1*12.25'')* 1 $ 6.49
T Cichlid Flakes [160g]* 1 $ 17.99
Shipping $ 6.95
Sales Tax $ 4.02
Grand Total $ 61.44
(note I picked expensive food)

[Malakhov]

Yeah picked the wrong shipping option. It would of been way cheaper with petsolutions if they wouldnt charge that freight shipping but oh well.