Gravel cleaners

[hussarman]

Can anybody reccommend a particular brand of gravel cleaner that does a good job?
The tank size is 13 gallons.
Thanks
hussarman UK

 

[cichlidmaster]

Hussarman,
Hi and WELCOME to probably the best tropical fish site on the web..

I am assuming since you posted in the hardware forum..you don't mean scavengers    

Given the size of your tank, I really would think any type of siphon hose and tube would work just fine.

Get yourself a bucket (2-5 gallon variety) to use solely for your tank and the siphon and you should be good to go.


Larry

 

[Davy Reynolds]

I can't remember the make of my gravel cleaner but its a manual one.
I've heard good words about the Aquarium Systems Power gravel cleaner, a bit pricey at £25 though

 

[reg2k2]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'good'; I'd imagine just about any one should work fine (I would say using it is the important part ).

I have a 15gal.  I used a Hydro-Clean for a number of years.  Problem I had was the hose, after a time, would slip off.  (So I just snipped some off whenever that happened.)  I'm sure they've probably improved the style since.  
I replaced it a few years ago with a Siphon-Kleen, with which I've had no problems.  It also has an angled tip (the Hydro-Cl at the time did not), which makes it a bit easier to navigate around the edges.

Well, that's what I've used.  Some cleaners also have a mesh insert within the tube, I think to prevent siphoning fish out.  I don't know if anyone's really had a problem with this, maybe in larger tanks?  There's also the kind that attach to your sink, but I'm not sure about filling a tank directly from the tap.  In any case, I have used neither, so maybe someone else could make a better recommendation.  

 

[adeyc]

reg ~ this is one of those Q's that can have a million answers.
It's a biot like music everyone has there own favourite and things go in fad's like dance, puink, metal,jazz blues etc. I'd go for a syphon tube(any type) for a small tank. it may take a bit of extra work but at least you know things are done right.

 

[Macquatic]

A manufacturer called "Lees" makes lots of aquarium hardware including gravel cleaners of all sizes. Their design of mouth is oval/diamond shaped and good for getting into corners and between plants. Your lfs should have or be able to get them. Cheap too, small one is about £3.50. Mac.

 

[Great Lakes]

If you use the siphon type, smaller is better for your size tank. A large one would siphon too much out before you had cleaned the half tank at a time during a water change.

 

[pete]

I am currently looking at buying the PYTHON gravel cleaner as it has a 25 meter run of hose on it and waterchanges on the 6x2x2 in the front room are becoming a real pain (using buckets at the mo), however it is a bit pricey at £50 so i'll let you know if i get it and what its like

I would say that the one im looking at would be ideal for me or anyone with a fish hut as it looks like it would cut the time to do a waterchange in half :0