How Do I Vaccum.

[paul_219]

I bought a vaccum gravel cleaner. I dont what is happening it is sucking the water with the dirts from the tank. How do i use it? Its like a glass cylinder opened from the bottom, and i connect a pipe to it. How does it work.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

just stick it in the tank "pump" it by push it up and down in the water ad the water will flow out then just hover slightly above the substrate

 

[paul_219]

My pump is an internal filter. I just put it on the gravel i just saw the dirts going out and the water is going out like its sucked up. Y is the water going up i just want to clean the gravel.

 

[NightStalker]

My pump is an internal filter. I just put it on the gravel i just saw the dirts going out and the water is going out like its sucked up. Y is the water going up i just want to clean the gravel.

Uhmm unless i read something wrong here.

The point of those cleaners is to suck water out aswell, you put it on the gravel it sucks the dirt and water out, each time you clean gravel you should have a waterchange along with it so whats the problem?

The idea is it sucks water, anything light enough to go through, so water and dirt.

 

[GordonTGopher]

My pump is an internal filter. I just put it on the gravel i just saw the dirts going out and the water is going out like its sucked up. Y is the water going up i just want to clean the gravel.

This is how they work, it combines cleaning the gravel with emptying water out of the tank for your regular water change. The pumping action described is a way of starting the syphon, but as you describe the water being sucked up, I'm guessing you've managed that bit you simply move the pipe bit around the tank stiring up the top layer of the gravel, and the dirt ends up in the bucket with the 'stale' water ( if you don't have a bucket the floor gets wet ) Not that I've ever done this but don't get so intent on cleaning that you forget how full the bucket gets

Gordon

 

[crazie.eddie]

As everyone mentioned, this is how it works. It is necessary to remove water as you clean the gravel. This is part of the normal tank maintenance routine. Just make sure you do not remove more 50% (at most) of the water from the tank. It is safe to remove about 20%-30% of the water on a weekly basis. As GordonTGopher mentioned, don't forget to watch the bucket so it does not overflow. If you have extra money, you might want to look into buying a Python No-Spill system. It allows you to suck up waste and fill your tank with ease.

 

[dsingleton]

just stick it in the tank "pump" it by push it up and down in the water ad the water will flow out then just hover slightly above the substrate

I have been trying and trying and yet cannot seem to get the water flowing. This is the cleaner I am using . . .

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=230044414026

Any further tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Socks]

Smetimes the checkvalve in them gets stuck open,ussally with the cheaper ones.When this hppens the pumping action will do nothing,so what you have to do (unless you want to buy a new one) is suck on the end of the hose with your mouth until the water starts comeing,once the water is flowing gravity will keep it going.Just be sure to have your bucket ready and get your mouth away befor you get water in it!

 

[dsingleton]

Smetimes the checkvalve in them gets stuck open,ussally with the cheaper ones.When this hppens the pumping action will do nothing,so what you have to do (unless you want to buy a new one) is suck on the end of the hose with your mouth until the water starts comeing,once the water is flowing gravity will keep it going.Just be sure to have your bucket ready and get your mouth away befor you get water in it!

Thanks for that, I'll have to give it a go tomorrow. I've managed about a 10% change (took about 30mins and my arm is killing me from moving it up and down constantly!!!).