Gravel vac

[hendrixpujols11]

Sorry if it sounds ignorant, but what exactly is a gravel vac and how does it work?

[Star_Rider]

large tube attached to a smalle hose..gravel vac work of siphon and are very useful for water changes and cleaning mulm from the gravel.

a python device is a gravel vac that also works as a hose to replace the water removed during the water change and vac of gravel.

once the vac starts to work you simple push the large tube into the gravel..it will pull the mulm out while th gravel falls back.

[Sammie7]

http://www.firsttankguide.net/siphon.php
http://www.ehow.com/buy_7842_gravel-vacuum.html

[icecubez189]

a regular gravel vac basically uses pressure to siphon water from your aquarium to a bucket/container. you either submerge it and use a pumping action with my arm to get it going or start sucking the air out of the end (which is what i do, doesn't disturb the water as much and faster, just be fast enough to get the hose in the bucket so you don't ingest water). after a siphon starts, you basically just vacuum the gravel of fish poop and organic waste. then get your other container of already conditioned water and slowly add it to your aquarium. a lot of back breaking work because your lugging buckets/containers of water around

a python vac is basically like a gravel vac only you can connect it to your faucet via a long hose. when you turn on the water, it creates a suction and you can begin gravel vaccing immediately. to add water to your tank, you flick a switch and it starts to add water from the faucet to your aquarium. you might think the fish will die from chlronie or heavy metal poisoning but that won't happen. before people start pumping water back in, they add enough water conditioner to treat the entire aquarium size. just guesstimate the faucet temperature to match your aquarium water as close as possible. and then your done, a lot easier (too bad i don't use a python yet...)

in any case, a gravel vac is a must for any aquarist.

[hendrixpujols11]

really? i should have a python and gravel vac for only a 10g?

[hendrixpujols11]

Can I just get a garden hose off ebay for 10 bucks?

[Importskyline22]

lol a garden hose?

Thats not gonna siphon water out of your tank. ANd wouldnt be able to be pushed down into the gravel to get the bad stuff out.

And for less than 10 bucks you can get a gravel vac for your 10g.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0039&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030062&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1168061805694&itemNo=21&Nao=12&In=Fish&N=2030062&Ne=2

[hendrixpujols11]

what does a python have that a hose doesnt

[Importskyline22]

I would love to invest in a python.

It basicly acts as both, a vac and a hose to put back clean water back into your aquarium.

If i understand it correctly. It hooks up to your faucet in a fashion like a garden hose would and has a switch so that you can vacum the water out of your tank and into the sink....or water spicit. Then when you want to add water back into your aquarium you just flip the switch and voala, you have water going back intoy our aquarium.

Saves endless trips with a bucket.

Correct me anyone if im wrong.

OH yea, and if you look up a couple posts, a member has already explained what it is...


a python vac is basically like a gravel vac only you can connect it to your faucet via a long hose. when you turn on the water, it creates a suction and you can begin gravel vaccing immediately. to add water to your tank, you flick a switch and it starts to add water from the faucet to your aquarium. you might think the fish will die from chlronie or heavy metal poisoning but that won't happen. before people start pumping water back in, they add enough water conditioner to treat the entire aquarium size. just guesstimate the faucet temperature to match your aquarium water as close as possible. and then your done, a lot easier (too bad i don't use a python yet...)

[Sammie7]

You don't need a python just a regular gravel vac. You can get one at even Walmart for 2-3 dollars. With a garden hose there are to many unknowns. They weren't made specifically for aquarium use and could have chemicals and other things which may hurt your fish. They also don't allow you to view what is coming out of the gravel when you are cleaning. If there is a spot with a lot of mulm and debris, you are able to see that and target it specifcally until all the waste is cleaned.

[hendrixpujols11]

so whats the difference between a python and a regular gravel vac??

[Importskyline22]

so whats the difference between a python and a regular gravel vac??

Let me try to break this down further for you..


With a regular gravel vac, you drain water from your tank into a bucket (or out the window as i do :P) then you take that bucket and dump it. Then you bring it back toy our aquarim fill the bucket up again and dump it again. So forth and so on. Then when you add more water to the tank you fill the bucket up with water, dump it in your tank, fill the bucket up with water, and dump it in your tank, so forth and so on.

With the python, It hooks straight to a faucet, there for eliminating anything to do with a bucket.

Got it?

[hendrixpujols11]

how much are pythons?

[Importskyline22]

Searching the intrawebz is your friend :)

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 6792&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030123&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1168095457206&itemNo=0&Ntt=python&In=All&previousText=python&N=2

[Sammie7]

As you can see the pythons cost quite a bit more, but for people with big tanks 30 gallons and up it is a necessity. For a 10 gallon, you won't need such an expensive gravel vac. Unless you don't really have a budget and want to spend money. However, I suggest you save your money on decorations or filter cartriges and such. The cheapest python is $23 on the link posted, while an ordinary gravel vac costs around $2-3. So, you decide which option is best for you.

[Shermanator]

The major dis-advantage of the python is that is wastes far too much water to create the vacume.

[icecubez189]

i agree, some users pump the water outside to feed their lawns.

to OP: i've already told you the difference between a python and gravel vac. both are same thing but python is more convenient. for a 10G, i would just invest in a regular gravel vac.

[SmallFishi]

Get a regular gravel vac from w.mart for $5 will do a great job with a bucket for your 10 gallon, however if you ever get up to a 50 gallon or more definately splurge on the Python, I was initially dissapointed with mine seemed to have a lot of problems with it but after reading everyone else had the same problems and mine wasn't any different I read some tips and I love the thing now.. LOVE IT! Anyway u are still a ways off from it yet, but I just know in a month or two you will be getting a bigger tank.. :dance2:

[emmaS]

I use a regular cheap gravel vac--I read the instructions and could never get it to work. I went to the LFS and they did a demonstration for me. Now I can actually vacuum.

[hendrixpujols11]

just did a watr change yesterday. The gravel vac did not really do anything, did not make it easier. I thought they are electronic. I had to scoop up the water and hold the tube so the water could flow downwards. It was the same if not harder than a WC without it.

[SmallFishi]

suck on the tube end to create a siphon (just a bit don't drink it) and then use the larger end to smooch around the gravel it will suck up bits of poop and debris without sucking up the rocks, it will hold a bunch of rocks but you can just pull it along and they will fall out.

[Importskyline22]

just did a watr change yesterday. The gravel vac did not really do anything, did not make it easier. I thought they are electronic. I had to scoop up the water and hold the tube so the water could flow downwards. It was the same if not harder than a WC without it.

Lol.

The regular gravel vac is not supposed to make things easier you just need to to clean the nastyness from the gravel and to get a certin percentage of water out of your tank so you can put fresh water into it.

You said its not "easier". Then trying take a drinking glass and scooping the water into the bucket. And thats not gonna clean your gravel.

I hope to be buying a python for my 55G!

[snickle]

Try this one:

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3601&Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=gravel+vac&sku=538485&familyID=6608&

Good for us who do not want to suck on a hose.

Just need to buy a length of hose. It work even after you turn off the motor. Siphon Action.

[emmaS]

Hendrix,

I did the exact same thing in the beginning, just swished and then scooped the water out with the tube using it like a long cup. Then at the LFS they did a demo for me and it was great! The gravel vac really does such like a vacuum and boy is it fast! I filled up a pail real quick.

Here's what I learned.

1. Make sure to the tube as it comes out of the tank stays close to the tank, not looped high up over the edge. (hard to explain)

2. Tape or clip the end tube into the bucket. I think it helps if there is some water (from the tank--not from the sink unless dechlorinated) in the bottom of the bucket. Place the end of the tube in the water. They did not tell me to do this at the store but it's something I noticed. Make sure the bucket rests on the floor and not on a chair or table.

3. Move the tube up and down rapidly. It may take several attempts but it will suck. When you move it up and down don't move it side to side. Try to move it up and down only and right above gravel level.

Seriously, ask how they do it at the fish store. If you go near closing time they may be doing it anyway and you can watch and learn.

[didy]

I had trouble getting the suction going at first, too. What I have found works the best is using one of those small nasal aspirators that are used for infant babies. It has a tip and gradually goes into a ball that you squeeze. Mine was free, because it was sent home from the hospital with us when I had my last child.

Gets the suction started!