Vacuum For Floor Level Tank

I currently have an African Dwarf Frog/community tank. As I fell in love with ADFs, I moved the tank into the living room, on the floor, in front of the tv. I don't watch tv anymore. But, the one problem I knew I'd encounter would be vacuuming, because it's sitting on the floor, in all its glory.. It's a 20 gallon long. I found an electric vacuum on Amazon that has an attached sack, which keeps the poops, but returns the same water to the tank. Is that a good thing?

 

I currently have an African Dwarf Frog/community tank. As I fell in love with ADFs, I moved the tank into the living room, on the floor, in front of the tv. I don't watch tv anymore. But, the one problem I knew I'd encounter would be vacuuming, because it's sitting on the floor, in all its glory.. It's a 20 gallon long. I found an electric vacuum on Amazon that has an attached sack, which keeps the poops, but returns the same water to the tank. Is that a good thing?

A vacuum that returns the dirty water to the tank is fine unless you want to actually do a water change. Since you don't watch TV, why not put the tank on the table/stand the TV is on and move the TV?
There are other types of battery powered siphons
Fluval Pro VAC
Just Google "battery powered aquarium siphon" and a bunch of different types will pop up.

 

How about that. I just spent too much on a Fluval (corded) Vac I am not so fond of ... I was desperate. They upped the price on me. (Don't ask.) And now I am annoyed I didn't instead get one on Amazon that might work better?

This is just too large for our 20 long. Really a more compact version would be so much better. I was thinking it didn't work for squat, then I looked at the filter and happily surprised. It definitely helped some. To be clear though, I use this vac as a bonus piece to help clean without a water change (already did that and still need to clean debris).

FYI - the Fluval Vac I have ALSO has an attachment to allow water changes too? I guess you attach a tube to it? Will see if I try it maybe on the other tank (not as low in height).

I agree with Momgoose56 - why not get it off the floor? Even 2 cement blocks and a board seems better (a la crafty college boys I remember once upon a time)?

 

For my floor level tank (it is a quarintine tank, bare bottomed) I use a gravy sucker to suck out the poop that the filter doesn't catch. (yes I am the crazy fish lady that sits on the floor and sucks poop with the gravy sucker). It works and then I just scoop water out with a plastic beer cup and then refill with clean water. I also did this with my krib tank when they had fry and I was afraid they would be sucked up with the gravel vac. As others have said it might be good to get it off the floor as it is harder to clean and you have to get down low to see your aquarium friends. Also you have a more likely chance of something happening to the tank when it is on the floor, someone trips or you accidentally hit it with the broom or vacuum and it breaks. Good luck with your fishy tv

 

(yes I am the crazy fish lady that sits on the floor and sucks poop with the gravy sucker).

Lol!

 

I use a diy water polisher to vacuum w/ removing water. just need a MaxI jet power head, a water bottle, and some polyfil

you can turn it upside down to use as a skimmer. attach a hose and use to do water changes, siphon, pump water.

with a hose for water change. I use a Sprite bottle b/c its a thicker plastic and more rigid than most water bottles. but had to use a dremel with a sanding bit to enlarge the opening to fit onto the MaxI jet.



afterwards, collected a lot of muck. same result if used without the hose as a vacuum or water polisher.

 

I use a diy water polisher to vacuum w/ removing water. just need a MaxI jet power head, a water bottle, and some polyfil

you can turn it upside down to use as a skimmer. attach a hose and use to do water changes, siphon, pump water.

with a hose for water change. I use a Sprite bottle b/c its a thicker plastic and more rigid than most water bottles. but had to use a dremel with a sanding bit to enlarge the opening to fit onto the MaxI jet.
View attachment 613403

afterwards, collected a lot of muck. same result if used without the hose as a vacuum or water polisher.
View attachment 613404

Shop vac with string mop head shoved in hose works too...

 

Nice!

 

For my floor level tank (it is a quarintine tank, bare bottomed) I use a gravy sucker to suck out the poop that the filter doesn't catch. (yes I am the crazy fish lady that sits on the floor and sucks poop with the gravy sucker). It works and then I just scoop water out with a plastic beer cup and then refill with clean water. I also did this with my krib tank when they had fry and I was afraid they would be sucked up with the gravel vac. As others have said it might be good to get it off the floor as it is harder to clean and you have to get down low to see your aquarium friends. Also you have a more likely chance of something happening to the tank when it is on the floor, someone trips or you accidentally hit it with the broom or vacuum and it breaks. Good luck with your fishy tv

Glad I'm not the only crazy aquarium lady!!!. Excellent idea about gravy sucker!! But, I just ordered an electric vac from Amazon. It had 4 stars. I positioned the tank on the floor so I could watch them easily from my spot on the sofa and watch tv.... perfect spot. Plus, the 75 g is about 12 inches away from my sofa spot. Question: Why do I have tv?????!!!!

 

Why not just get a python system? Sucks water out, puts water back in, no matter what elevation the tank sits at.

 

For my floor level tank (it is a quarintine tank, bare bottomed) I use a gravy sucker to suck out the poop that the filter doesn't catch. (yes I am the crazy fish lady that sits on the floor and sucks poop with the gravy sucker). It works and then I just scoop water out with a plastic beer cup and then refill with clean water. I also did this with my krib tank when they had fry and I was afraid they would be sucked up with the gravel vac. As others have said it might be good to get it off the floor as it is harder to clean and you have to get down low to see your aquarium friends. Also you have a more likely chance of something happening to the tank when it is on the floor, someone trips or you accidentally hit it with the broom or vacuum and it breaks. Good luck with your fishy tv

Why not just get a python system? Sucks water out, puts water back in, no matter what elevation the tank sits at.

I didn't know that. Funnily enough, I have a 50 foot Python, but I never use it to vacuum because there's a plumbing problem in my apartment and if anything goes wrong, my landlord can't blame me for suctioning poop etc into the pipes!!!

 

I didn't know that. Funnily enough, I have a 50 foot Python, but I never use it to vacuum because there's a plumbing problem in my apartment and if anything goes wrong, my landlord can't blame me for suctioning poop etc into the pipes!!!

I NEVER saw a fish poop that could plug a pipe... maybe if you had a whale...lol!

 

I NEVER saw a fish poop that could plug a pipe... maybe if you had a whale...lol!

LOL!!! It's a scary plumbing problem. I went to 4 local plumbers, the city, county and even the state.. They all said they had absolutely no idea what was causing the issue and sorry, we can't help you anyway, because it's an apartment and up to the landlord. No luck there!!!!