Powered Vacuum Recommendations

[lilhurleybunny]

Okie soo... siphoning with the bucket and all just isn't for me lol . I can't seem to get it down even after i was helped from you guys on here . So I'm looking into getting one of the vacuums from the Doctors Foster & Smiths Catalogue. I want your guys opinions on which I should get.

Here are the descriptions of each:

Multi-Vac
Battery-powered cleaning convenience for most aquariums! Hose adapters allow power siphoning during water changes and algae removal form glass. Adjustble from 8" to 16". Uses two C batteries (not included).
Price: $13.99 Replacement bags (2 pk): $1.49

Extendible Air Vacuum
Easily hooks up to an air pump to collect dirt and debris from your aquarium without a water change! Mesh bag can be removed for easy cleaning. Comes with one mesh bad; replacement bags sold seperately.
Price: 12" $7.99 Replacement bags (3 pk): $2.49

Please base your opinions on which you would think is most convenient and how they sound in their description . I realize that you have to clean and then do a water change but I don't mind that at all!

Looking forward to your guy's inputs!

Thanks!!

 

[canarsie11]

Invest in a Python System. Add and take out water, no batteries or electricity. Just good ol water pressure.

Cost about 30 bucks for 25ft siphon, connect to kitchen or bathroom sink!

I picked mine up at Walmart!

 

[lilhurleybunny]

Yes I considered that one! But the only problem is, is that the closest sink to me is my bathroom's sink and that one is down the hall! I think I am going to go with the air pump powered one because I don't have to worry about the power running down unlike in a battery powered one.

Thanks for the post!

 

[canarsie11]

25ft is the smallest size, they have longer ones!

 

[lilhurleybunny]

Wouldn't it take a long time though ? Plus if it puts water back..directly from my sink..I'm an urban fish lol I live in town!! So I have to put chemicals in my water to make it fish friendly. If it put the water back directly from my sink then it might not be so good for my fishes .

 

[rollntider]

add some stress coat and the chlorine is removed, I have no problems several years using direct tap water and stress coat or similar clorine remover

 

[lilhurleybunny]

Later on when I get more tanks I'll be sure to look into getting a python . But I'm going to get money order today and I think I'm going to get the air pump powered one.

Thanks for the posts guys!

 

[scott1000]

These should not be considered a replacement for a water change. You MUST still do water changes in order to dilute the nitrate levels. These are designed simply to vaccum the gravel.

Here's a link to make a pyton system yourself, much cheaper than a real one!

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_python.php

 

[lilhurleybunny]

Oh I know that! That's what I was saying, I don't mind vacuuming and then doing water changes after .

Thanks for the link btw! I'm big on the diy stuff .

Thanks again!

 

[Cian McLiam]

I have the multi vac, in fact I've had three!

They are quite fragile if you use them the way I do, I attach the hose from a regular syphon gravel cleaner to the outlet of the multi vac. It starts the syphon so easy, I wouldnt be without it! It also pumps the water back in for me, I putthe bucket with the fresh water alongside the tank, take of all the attatchments and let it do the work!

I also have the Eheim sludge extractor, which just filters the water through a mesh, its good but does release a fine cloud of muck into the water. Ifyou dont have bogwood grazers like catfish, it shoulnt be too much of a problem.

Compared to the multi vac, its built like a tank, its never going to break

http/www.eheim.com/technik_zubehoer.htm

I use the mutli vac as intended sometimes, if the gravel is getting especially mucky and I dont have time for a water change,but mostly I use it to assist watr changes and its an excellent tool for that. Buy two though becauseit will break after 5 months of use or so.

Ken

 

[lilhurleybunny]

Thanks Ken! I hope the air one is a little more stable! I looked into the sludge extractor but what I need is just a basic vacuum...plus I figure that while im vacuuming any "sludge" that's down there will get stirred up anyway .

Hopefully I'll be able to figure out some sort of system to get the water back in..maybe I could market it . Hehe j/k!

Thanks for the post, Ken!

 

[SaltyMist]

I like the battery powered one myself. It allows easier operation without a airtube being attached and thus limiting motion somewhat with the airtube.

In a sence if you use these frequently, then you can postpone your water changes a bit longer, because you are removing more of what is causing the nitrates to begin with. But I think you'd have to use it on a daily basis and as such I would opt for the battery powered one since it seems that it will be easier to use.

Still, as you know, you'll have to still do regular water changes, whether that be 1 week or 2 week intervals depends on your tank and your habbits of feeding and cleaning.

 

[drobbins27]

I would buy a python, but when u add water back, you arent removing chlorine! How do you get around this problem

 

[SaltyMist]

I would buy a python, but when u add water back, you arent removing chlorine! How do you get around this problem

By adding the amquel or other dechlorinator to the tank before starting to do the water change.

It's been a while since I used a python, so Im remembering from memory (but you know us old foggies and our memory), but I seem to remember that I would syphon out the water change water, then add the amquel to the tank, then refill , the amquel or dechlorinator works on instant activity, so it should dechlorinate the water almost immediately and the brief seconds that it doesnt really shouldnt hurt the fish, at least it never hurt my fish doing it this way.

 

[drobbins27]

Ok thanks. Maybe a python would be a good investment for doing water changes with a 90g.