Can Anyone Recomend A Tank Hoover?

[paula]

I want one that that dosent syphon all the water out so i can just clean all the muck out in between water changes.

Can anyone recommend one, not too expensive!!

Thanks!

 

[morgan]

Hi, I bought a battery operated gravel vac last year and it cost £14. You can get them online, I got mine from lfs. You needn't buy the bags that they use, you can use cut up tights (pantyhose). I find mine very good, I think it was a Hagen (no label and threw packaging away).

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

You can get battery operated ones that just suck water and run it through a mesh bag to collect bits. The water stays in the tank, i've not tried them so don't know if they are any good but i'm sure a few people here will have one.

Emma

edit: bet me to it

 

[kramers]

I'm not sure how well they work, but you can find battery operated ones on E-bay for about $15-20 and I think I've seen them on Petsmart's website for about the same. They're supposed to suck out the gunk and put water back in the tank. Maybe someone on TFF has used them.

 

[Bloo]

I have one - think it's Hagen too, but can't remember.
I thought it would be a novel little gadget - well it was a waste of money.
Unless you have plecs that poop a heck of a lot on sand, and would just like to "hoover" every other day to make the sand look clean; I guess it's OK.
For gravel tanks and/or light/medium level waste fish, I definitely wouldn't bother getting one.

But you'd still need to do your weekly water changes.

 

[morgan]

Yes, definitely still do the weekly water change. I do find the gravel vac very good, especially if I want to get the Pleco poop out in between water changes. My Pleco is 12" so I'll leave it to your imagination what needs removing!

 

[scrappy]

I have one thats got a power socket attached, it sucks up water and filters it through a fine net... my normal manual siphon wouldnt pick up JD or Acara poop so needed one to clean it off the sand... Works a treat, sits on side of tank so u just use it like a hoover and the water flows straight back into tank.

 

[Wanda hornsey]

I have a big tank on a tall cabinet (130Galls 2ft deep and the top of the tank is 5 1/2 ft off the ground) and I got one at the weekend and its very useful for not only cleaning up poop but also for uneaten food dead leaves all the normal stuff you want to quickly grab out the tank. If you just want to be a good housewife and give them a quick clean up between weekly water changes I would get one. Mine only cost £10 from lfs.

 

[Dubby]

I'll second bloozoo2 - its a waste, unless you need to clean up the tank several times in a week between water changes. Try adding more live plants to your tank as they will make good use of the waste and also the poop will not be visible amost the greenery.

 

[morgan]

I have to leave clear tracts for the Pleco to swim about freely. He would destroy a heavily planted tank! He is one very tough fish.

 

[Asmp41]

I have one that as you pick up the water it syphons it back. Mine is electric though. I'm lazy when emptying the tank I leave it running into a bucket so it syphons out as well. It's great as with the Plec you'll never need to buy All Bran for him. lol . Well I hope that means he's okay. It;s also good if you are inclined to overfeed.

 

[paula]

thanks for all your help!

 

[Die_Grinder]

i made my own with a bit of pipe and a old air pump i have, works the same way a UG filter does, but it slaps all the mess in a cotton bag.

 

[clareriley]

They have one in pets at home that I have been told is good. collects the gunk in a little hoover bag