Mold in my Gravel Vacuum!

HI guys. Has anyone every had this problem? Little spots of black mold are growing inside the tube, (the tiny long part). How do you dry the vacuum after each use, and how do I clean it out? I know bleach should work, but how do I scrub inside that LOOOONG tube? Should I just toss it and buy a new one?

Thanks guys. This is really an inconvenience since my Bettas are having fin trouble and I have to do water changes. I don't want to be doing that with mold in the tube.

Any advice welcome!

 

At the pet store you can get bottle brushes with extra long handles! How far in do you need to reach though? Is it in the tube that goes into the tank or in the hose? If it's the hose I would just replace it. That stuff is cheap

 

I have a small bottle cleaner with a string and a little weight that I use. Basically drop weight attached to the string through pull it through and the bottle cleaner follows.

 

I personally have had this problem, especially with my longer canister filter hoses. What I did to clean it out is this.........

To help disinfect the hoses from the mold, I used white vinegar and filled up the hose with it and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes. After that I empty out the hose of the vinegar and used a long wooden dowel with a bit of paper towel on the tip and just Place it in the opening and clean away. After you get it cleaned rinse it pretty good with freshwater.

DO NOT use any type of bleach or household cleaners to clean the hose. Even trace amounts of those chemicals can be enough to kill all your fish.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the tips guys. It's the hose. I have already gone and gotten a new one, but I will defiantly clean it next time. Thanks guys! Especially Tanks and Plants

 

Thanks for the tips guys. It's the hose. I have already gone and gotten a new one, but I will defiantly clean it next time. Thanks guys! Especially @Tanks and Plants

Your welcome and I hope I gave you an idea you can use in the future!