Power Gravel Cleaner

[fmervin]

Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing a siphon for cleaning tank. I came across a power cleaner at my lfs. It is a bit expensive but if it does what it claims could be worth the money. Just wondering if any of you have experiences with such a cleaner?

http/www.maidenheadaquatics.co.uk/eshop/...products_id=512

I really need to clean my tank this weekend since it is getting quite dirty

 

[Rooster]

Ive had these types of things, and trust me - cleaning the cleaner is even worse on the stomach than cleaning the tank with it !!
You have to do water changes anyway, so use this time to suck out all the cr... err, waste

 

[fmervin]

Thanks Rooster Just out of curiosity, how does it work? Would it work fine with a sand substrate? The problem is my tank is planted and there are quite a few nooks and crannies. So I thought it might be easier to clean the cleaner. When you did use this, did it actually work? Did it do a good job of cleaning the tank?

Thanks a ton, you've been a great help

 

[Rooster]

Thanks Rooster Just out of curiosity, how does it work? Would it work fine with a sand substrate? The problem is my tank is planted and there are quite a few nooks and crannies. So I thought it might be easier to clean the cleaner. When you did use this, did it actually work? Did it do a good job of cleaning the tank?

Thanks a ton, you've been a great help

Not used one in decades ! They suck up all the muck, which is filtered into a cloth bag... somewhat like a vacuum cleaner, but then you have to clean out the bag ! I found it clumsy to use, uprootinf plants etc, in the end I went back to the plain old syphon... all the mess ends up in a bucket and you are doing a water change at the same time.
Like most hobbies there are always things you "NEED" as the shops will tell you, its really down to you to decide if you do or not !

 

[darkwolf29a]

I read a thing on a cichlid forum before I put my sand in. They stated that you shouldn't use a power filter, python, of any other gravel vacuum. You will suck up sand, as it weighs the same as the garbage you are trying to suck up.

Instead of all that...I use a 20ft piece of 1/2in tubing. Honestly, once I start the syphon, I just try and keep the end of it 1/4 to a 1/2 in above the sand. It seems like a lot, but you will pick everything up you want. Honestly, I even pick up some sand too.

I found it.... Watch this video.

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/cleaning_sand.php

 

[fmervin]

Thanks Rooster, darkwolf. I think I'll take your advice and go with the standard syphon. The video on the cichlid form is great. It makes so much clearer when you see it in action especially for newbies like me

Just one question, I have a lot of ornaments, some bogwood etc etc. The video didn't show him removing his ornaments out, do I take mine out and clean them and also the sand beneath the ornaments? I haven't done this till now which is around 3 weeks

Thanks for all the help guys

 

[darkwolf29a]

I, like you, have a lot of plants and decorations. I don't move plants, but I will move decorations/wood/vases, etc. The vase is a leftover from when my crayfish was in there, but she had to be moved out, due to her omnivorous aggresive nature. Now, the fish play in it. Soon, I'll have a pirate ship in there...then I'll move it around too. LOL

Other than that, I try and vacuum out the big junk pieces...basically anything that the pleco or the snails have picked over. They do most of the work now. LOL