Gravel vac/ syphon for beginner

New to the hobby, and wow does everything keep adding up $$

Apparently now I need a gravel vac. Any suggestions for an affordable vac for a 10 gallon planted tank, that isnt a total piece of junk? Will likely upgrade down the road, once I have more tanks. For now Im just looking for some basic thing to clean up some of the accumulated detritus from my substrate.

Ive never gravel vac'ed before, so I really dont know what to look for. Any suggestions on equipment or process would be very helpful

Thanks!

 

For a 10 gallon you don't need anything fancy. Get a 5 gallon bucket and a simple siphon vac. They are at all major pet stores or Amazon for around $10.

All the simple gravel vacs are just rubber hosing connected to a plastic siphon tube. As long as your bucket can be placed below your tank, gravity will take care of the rest.

 

Thanks CMT~
Does the bucket catch all the junk? Im assuming its not water that I should dump back in the tank

 

Thanks CMT~
Does the bucket catch all the junk? Im assuming its not water that I should dump back in the tank

Usually when you do water changes you vacuum at the same time and get the gunk out and refill with new water. So yes you do not want to put the vac water back in the tank.

 

Thanks CMT~
Does the bucket catch all the junk? Im assuming its not water that I should dump back in the tank

You siphon water out along with the "stuff" from the gravel into the bucket. Then dump the water and gunk and replace with fresh water (add a conditioner/dechlorinator to the fresh water).

 

My gravel vac water is always NASTY lol! Snail poo is a lot. I use it to water my plants. Free fertilizer! I throw any out that I didn’t use on outside plants and my cherry plum tree. Works wonders and no waste. Then back in to add more clean and dechlorinated water and we’re good to go until next time.

 

Picked up my gravel vac for around 5-10 pounds/dollars. It's a Betta brand one and works perfectly fine. You don't need to spend big money.

 

Don't forget to add Prime or whatever dechlorinator you use with the fresh water.

 

Amazon.com

That will do the job for a 10 gallon and $6.67. add a couple other things you want or need to hit $25 and get free shipping. and you know what? this website probably has some affiliate link or something with Amazon, most websites do, which helps the website when you buy what you need using their link,. I'm sure a moderator could advise if that's the case and how you could if they have it. Win win win. .

 

Also to add when it comes time to do your filter cleaning use the water you siphon out of your tank to clean the filter media. Don’t clean the media with tap water and don’t change your filter cartridge just swish it around in the bucket n give it a couple squeezes.

 

Welcome to FishLore!
Once you get your gravel vac this should help:
1-2-3 easy aquarium siphon instructions - video | Cleaning and Maintenance Forum | 19653

 

Just get a plastic coke bottle, cut the bottom off, drill a hole in the lid, push plastic tube through and you're done. All for a couple of pounds and you get to drink a bottle of coke too.