Battery Powered Gravel Vacs

[Evan]

Does anyone here have any experience with the Eheim or Fluval battery powered gravel vacs? I'm thinking about getting one or the other for spot cleaning in between water changes but they're kind of expensive.

Are they any good on sand substrates?

Thanks!

[Yanni]

Normally, the powered gravel vacs don't tend to work in my experience. They will definitely suck up water but a regular siphon should work just fine. Just hover your hose above the sand, that should really help get any debris off the sand. 

[Colu]

Battery powered gravel vac are a complete waste of money a regular siphon will do the job much better

[Chrisdis]

 

46 minutes ago, Colu said:

Battery powered gravel vac are a complete waste of money a regular siphon will do the job much better

I agree. Messy and dont work. I use a long mini siphon for my planted tank. I can get it in tight  spots and I can spend more time because the small siphon doesnt suck the water out so fast

[Chris]

Agreed with above. There's actually a video a smaller Youtuber did on making a DIY gravel vac in the same style as the Fluval, if you're interested.

 

[Brian]

I agree as well.   
spend your money on something else

[Maggie]

I gravel vac even my 45 gallon with a teeny little siphon that cost like $7.99 and use a long hose - it's easy to temporarily stop the siphon by covering the hole with your hand to move to the next spot, and easy to maneuver around plants and decor.