Stupid gravel vacuum

[Andy16]

I have one of those vacuums that you need to pump on the gravel to get started. It has worked fine until today. When i go in the downward motion air comes out the other side and does not pick up any water. From what i can tell all the hoses are connected correctly and i cannot figure out the problem.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

Maybe its time to consider a python.

 

[Andy16]

I dont understand how it could just stop working tho.

 

[goldfish freak]

Those type of gravel vacs are a real pain in my opinion. I own two of them and I find that I sometime have to give it several tries before it starts.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

Back in the day before I had the python(dark ages), my fish would be like scared when I tried to get that vacuum going because of how much you have to shake it.

 

[Andy16]

does the suck on the end thing work with those?

 

[amy]

Just skip the pumping part and use it like a regular low tech gravel vac:

Submerge tube in tank, open end up.
Let it fill with water.
Raise tube, open end up, until water level in tube is higher than the level in the tank; the siphon should start.
Lower tube, open end up, and let it fill back up with water; the siphon should keep on going.
Keep tube completely underwater and flip it around so that the open end is down and you can start vacuuming.

 

[AntmanMike]

I have an electric gravel vacuum.

 

[125gJoe]

I have an air driven gravel/sand vacuum and it works fine. The Python is still the main vacuum when doing water changes, but in between changes, and if I think too much food has dropped and the fish don't seem to want it, out it goes with the air vac.... Good accessory gadget made by Marineland.