Good and cheap gravel vacum.

M

Malakhov

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Jun 13, 2004
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(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!
 
Well, for a 10 gallon I would suggest this one...

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19135;category_id=2001;pcid1=3347;pcid2=
[EDIT] Well the link isn't working but its the Big Al's Pro Clean Gravel Washer- Small[/EDIT]

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;pcid1=;pcid2=
[EDIT]On this one go to Big Al's website click on "test kits" on the left and it's the first product.[/EDIT]
If this is the same thing then in American $ it's a very good price.
 
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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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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

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