DIY gravel vac ideas needed

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I have a 29 gallon, and quite frankly, I'm tired of getting my arm wet. At the same time, most gravel vac intakes are too big to get around my big ol' piece of spiderwood.  I'd like a longer and more narrow tube so I can spot clean in crevices around hardscape, as well as a bulb to get the flow started. Has anyone found or made a product like this?

[Guppysnail]

This is not diy but what I use in my 29. Small/tall. The opening is skinny and gets around things well. Here is mine in front of the 29  no wet armpits 🤣

Edited August 22, 2022 by Guppysnail

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/22/2022 at 10:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

This is not diy but what I use in my 29. Small/tall. The opening is skinny and gets around things well. Here is mine in front of the 29  no wet armpits 🤣

With a tube that long, wouldn't it be a pain to get the flow started?

[Guppysnail]

I’m old. Meaning old school. I learned how to suck start a siphon without inhaling water years ago 🤣. The do sell python pump balls to start them though. Hubby says I’ve sucked fish into my brain rip that swim around up there from years of manual starting 🤣

[redfish]

You can always trim to fit the length you want on that one.  Add in the bulb pump and sounds like it fits your request?

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/22/2022 at 10:45 AM, Guppysnail said:

I learned how to suck start a siphon without inhaling water years ago 🤣

Well yeah, didn't we all - but I don't always get it right 🤣   and good thing I have tile because if I get a mouthful I instantly spit wherever my face is pointed (one time into the QT tote which is sitting on the floor - sorry lil fishies [don't worry, they were fine; I helped them with extra bacteria, heh.])      *pptooey*

I quit sucking roundabouts the time I got detritus worms in the tank...

On 8/22/2022 at 10:45 AM, Guppysnail said:

Hubby says I’ve sucked fish into my brain rip that swim around up there from years of manual starting 🤣

LOL!

 

[RockMongler]

Remember, you can get a siphon started by filling up the tube with water, holding the whole thing like a U shape, then you flip it over, and as long as you have water over the top of the rim, the siphon will start, no muss no fuss.

I learned how to do this in grad school in a chemistry lab, because starting a siphon with your mouth is a no go in a lab, and the contamination you might get from a bulb is also a no-go.  It's super easy, and you have zero chance of sucking in poopy fish water.  You can also do it with just a piece of plastic tubing, even like your airline tubing.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/22/2022 at 11:28 AM, RockMongler said:

Remember, you can get a siphon started by filling up the tube with water, holding the whole thing like a U shape, then you flip it over, and as long as you have water over the top of the rim, the siphon will start, no muss no fuss.

I learned how to do this in grad school in a chemistry lab, because starting a siphon with your mouth is a no go in a lab, and the contamination you might get from a bulb is also a no-go.  It's super easy, and you have zero chance of sucking in poopy fish water.  You can also do it with just a piece of plastic tubing, even like your airline tubing.

This works well with the smaller siphons, but we are wondering the best way to get the extra long siphon going.  The rigid part is quite tall and awkward.

I might try to do something with this, as that siphon bulb by Python is expensive for just a bulb.  Might attach to an undergravel filter riser tube so I have a more narrow intake.

 

[eatyourpeas]

I use this one and has worked out well. It can be extended for the tall aquariums, or used short for my nanos:

https://www.amazon.com/AREPK-Cleaner-Aquarium-Changer-Cleaning/dp/B08ZMR3PN2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3DOKW369DTL47&keywords=aquarium+siphon&qid=1661182872&sprefix=aquarium+syphon%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExN1oyMDFQNDVJWlhPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE3MDk2MzJKUU85NDNMNFpEOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQ3NjA4MVNTQkVaU044RUFUUiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[RockMongler]

The formal way I started a siphon in the lab involved filling the siphon tube up with distilled deionized water from a small squirt bottle. The same thing could be done in a fish tank.

Having a dedicated tank cup could allow you can pre-fill the siphon with (with water from the tank or even from the tap) can get you the same effect as filling it up in the tank, if you want to be as cheap as possible, while still using that style of long siphon. As long as you have a mostly full U shaped bit of tube that you can flip and keep the water in and not let air in, you can start the siphon.

[rockfisher]

It is easier to buy one,but this gives you the reach in deep tanks.
 

You can buy Fluorescent clear white protectors. If you go to the pipe section of your local hardware store you can find a PVC cap that fits the top. Some stores sell clear pipe as well, which will be better or clear acrylic.You find a nipple that fits the size of the hole you need for the tubing. Put the nipple in and screw or glue it on. The hose clamp the tubing and add the bulb and more tubing

Source One Deluxe Clear Acrylic Tube 2 Inches Thick (48 Inch, 2 Inch Wide) https://a.co/d/gZpaBtE

oror you can use Fluorescent lightbulb covers instead of the clear PVC but they’re much for a dollarFluorescent lightbulb covers instead of the clear PVC but they are much brittler

Or these start well

Siphon - The Original Safety Siphon - 6' High Grade Hose, 3/8" Valve https://a.co/d/8CADyZf

[redfish]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSea It is certainly a balance between the length of tube vs space to maneuver in the tank vs keeping your arm dry.  Some good recommendations here. 

 

This one looks really interesting.

On 8/22/2022 at 10:42 AM, eatyourpeas said:

I use this one and has worked out well. It can be extended for the tall aquariums, or used short for my nanos:

https://www.amazon.com/AREPK-Cleaner-Aquarium-Changer-Cleaning/dp/B08ZMR3PN2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3DOKW369DTL47&keywords=aquarium+siphon&qid=1661182872&sprefix=aquarium+syphon%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExN1oyMDFQNDVJWlhPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE3MDk2MzJKUU85NDNMNFpEOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQ3NjA4MVNTQkVaU044RUFUUiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

 

[Flumpweesel]

Just remember a narrow tube will produce a more powerful pull. Dean makes an attachment for a python to use air line to suck up cyno.

Tried to find a link but failed 😔

[nabokovfan87]

On 8/22/2022 at 7:19 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

I'd like a longer and more narrow tube so I can spot clean in crevices around hardscape, as well as a bulb to get the flow started. Has anyone found or made a product like this?

I have the Top Fin "medium" from the big box store.  there is a few varieties, but I'll use this as an example.

On 8/22/2022 at 7:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

When I say tube I am only talking about the inlet itself, hard plastic tube that goes into the tank.  Aqueon is also very similar to this layout. It's traditionally a "wider tube" for a specific reason compared to the narrow version.

Mini / Nano: Short tube, narrow diameter
Small: Same as medium, but has a narrow diameter tube (usually sold as 10G in other brands)
-Probably the one you're looking for
Medium: wide / normal diameter tube, normal length tube
Large: Same as medium, but longer tube
X-Large: Longer tube for deeper tanks, same as large, but just longer.

Here is all of these side by side.


Here is both side by side.  To give you an idea of the Top Fin vs. Python Tubes.  Keep in mind, the medium for python is just shorter but it still considered a "wide tube" compared to the top fin version.  Shown below, this is the Top Fin Medium vs. the Python "Large".



 Keep in mind that the suction itself on the siphon is going to be much less.  There might be some chunks of muck that are difficult to pick up, but you can move them to an accessible area and then just plug the end with your hand.

On 8/22/2022 at 8:36 AM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

This works well with the smaller siphons, but we are wondering the best way to get the extra long siphon going.  The rigid part is quite tall and awkward.

Either just use the bulb to start the siphon (not really easy to do and kind of frustrating) or you dip the whole thing in the tank as shown....... here.  As others mentioned, you can fill it with water.  For tight spaces, you can probably get away with with just using similar hose to what a python comes with (available in 10' sections or from hardware store) and then using the bulb to start that into the bucket.
 

 

Edited August 22, 2022 by nabokovfan87
removed image, not needed.

[nabokovfan87]

And yeah. The TF version does come with a bulb.  The Python is WAY easier to use for cleaning substrate itself.  With the top fin you're going to suck up some sand / fines pretty easily.

Since switching, I have been training myself to not flood the floor and use Cory's pinch method.  It was never an issue before because of the difference in flow rate (smaller tube and hose diameter).

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/22/2022 at 10:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

This is not diy but what I use in my 29. Small/tall. The opening is skinny and gets around things well. Here is mine in front of the 29  no wet armpits 🤣

@Guppysnail @nabokovfan87 I got the Python Small/Tall and I LOVE IT!!!! 😍❤️
 

The rigid tube is thinner diameter, the flow was not too fast, no wet arm, soft hose so easy to crimp to stop flow, and it went the perfect speed to get the whole tank vac’d. Which is great because tank water gives my arm a rash. 😳

To give you an idea of how great it worked,

 

Pair that with the tank refiller and lid prop, easy peasy maintenance!

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Oh also I was able to easily start the flow with the dip method. The intake was not too long for that.

[Guppysnail]

I’m so glad you like it. I can’t do without mine. I use the small talk on the 29 and 40 and just small on the rest. I’ll never use the other types I tried again. Pythons are to easy 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/30/2022 at 7:02 PM, Guppysnail said:

I’m so glad you like it. I can’t do without mine. I use the small talk on the 29 and 40 and just small on the rest. I’ll never use the other types I tried again. Pythons are to easy 

Oh and also the fish were very calm. To have a clear tube in there (vs an arm AND a tube) was no big deal for them.

[nabokovfan87]

On 8/30/2022 at 3:47 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

Oh also I was able to easily start the flow with the dip method. The intake was not too long for that.

It won't let me quote the vid sooooooooo.....

That's very cool. I like the setup and the rube golberg type of mechanism to get all this to work.  I counted 5? 5+ things you had to purchase just to get a water fill done and not destroy the scape.  I am at a loss for words how we go through all this hassle just to get products to work.  I am sure, certain, marineland, aqueon, Top fin, Fluval, Seachem, Sicce, Python, Caribsea, Imagitarium, and ACO could easily take the problem solution and make a kit. Add on something that just works, it all works well enough to make us not to have to go to 5+ different sources for parts, it's manufactured and assembles easily, etc.

It's been what is it, 5 years and I'm still trying to get a filter to work well enough so I don't have to clean it every 3 days.  I just don't get it!!!!

Ok... / rant aside.

I am totally going to have to get this functioning for when things hit the fan and I have my 75 back up and no method at all to do a water change.  (note: the current method would be to run 100' hose with no way to control temp, to disassemble a window and screen and run the python over a computer and bunch of electronics and still have no way to control temp, or to disassemble a shower every time)

It is such a hassle, such a pain, when you don't have a utility sink in a fishroom and want to have an easier time than buckets and ice cubes to get water changes sorted.

I really dig the setup, and the effort to get all that done.  It's one of the things a lot of beginners never consider, but tank placement is such a huge factor to success and enjoyment.

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

@nabokovfan87 thanks! These are things I’ve collected over the years. The long hose is from a Python. However I did away with the mechanical piece on the other end because when I moved a) it didn’t fit my faucet, and b) the hose faucet outside kept seizing up from calcium/corrosion, plus I was not as likely to do tank maintenance in inclement weather. And no temp control.

On 8/30/2022 at 7:45 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

and ice cubes

You noticed that, eh?  Yeah. Summertime in southern U.S. w/ pipes running through the attic.  Ice not needed if I do maintenance in the morning, but today I wanted to try out the new gravel vac in the afternoon. One thing not pictured is the digital meat thermometer. I use that to get an instant read on the bucket water: the water that’s being pumped into the tank.
 

I bought the lid prop because the guy who made the blue dispersion piece (which I love so much) sent me a coupon code afterwards, and I wanted to support his small business. You know what works really awesome for keeping a hose from whipping out of a tank*? You probably already have the stuff. A binder clip and a rubber band. As such:

 

The binder clip fits rimmed or rimless tanks and the rubber band is KEY. That is what creates friction against the hose. That hose will NOT slide against that rubber band. No way. The two materials against each other are super grippy.

If I’m in more of a hurry, I’ll just dump 2 buckets into the tank and not bust out the pump/hose contraption at all. But I’d use this dispersion doodad instead. 
 

 

I hang this on the side of the tank so it doesn’t move when I pour water into it. The binder clip could also be used to hold it in place.

——

*yeah, that happened. More than one occasion.. 😳