Ways To Clean Tank Without Gravel Vacuum

Does anyone have any methods on how to clean the tank water without a gravel vacuum? My small tank has an opening too small for any vacuum tube to fit in. I have been doing 100% water changes a week, but I know this isn't the best option for keeping fish comfortable. Does anyone have any methods to doing partial water changes without a gravel vacuum?

Thanks,
JtheFishMan

 

I’m confused, how did you get the fish and decor in there if the opening is that small and you can’t remove it?

 

I can remove anything I place in the aquarium, but fitting the opening of the vacuum and tubing is a challenge. I will post a picture of what I mean.

See, the opening is big enough for my hands to reach and remove anything or place something, but not big enough to fit the vacuum and tube when I’m bending it.

 

You can siphon with an airline tubing.

 

Is that the type of tubing that come with the vacuum when you buy it?

 

would you mind posting more pictures of the tank? The top view has me kind of confused

 

I think it’s called a biOrb.

 

I’ll have to make a video of how I start my gravel vacs, every time people see how I do it they rethink their existence. I don’t suck on the end or use the traditional way of putting the whole syphon in. I could definitely get a small syphon going on that.

I’ll even do it in a plastic Tupperware container for you.

 

I’ll have to make a video of how I start my gravel vacs, every time people see how I do it they rethink their existence. I don’t suck on the end or use the traditional way of putting the whole syphon in. I could definitely get a small syphon going on that.

I’ll even do it in a plastic Tupperware container for you.

My gravel vacuum just says to shake vigorously and the water just climbs up.

 

My gravel vacuum just says to shake vigorously and the water just climbs up.

Shh don’t ruin my not so secret!

Apparently this is very uncommon and most directions don’t tell people this

 

Shh don’t ruin my not so secret!

Apparently this is very uncommon and most directions don’t tell people this

People don't know this? Wow!

 

My gravel vacuum just says to shake vigorously and the water just climbs up.

I had one of those, complete garage to me. I just got a cheap one off of Ebay and it works perfectly fine. OP can look at this one too. It is pretty cheap but works fine. Just squeeze on the blue thing and it pumps water. Pencil for size reference

 

Is that the type of tubing that come with the vacuum when you buy it?

I use the tubing like you have coming out of the tank in your picture, it's the air line for bubblers. Just cut an appropriate length- fill the tube with water, I hold it in a "U" shape and pour some water in, then hold your finger over one end- put the other end into your tank and with your hand over a bucket at a lower level lift your finger off the tube. That starts the siphon without sucking on the tube. Then use it like a little vacuum hose.

 

That's not gravel. Those are rocks. lol.
This reminds me of the glass rocks I had in the bottom of a vase when we all used to keep bettas in vases with a plant sticking out of the top.
I would pour half the water out of the vase to reserve. The betta went in this water. I would then dump the rest of the vase. Occasionally I saw debris on the rocks so I would scoop them out with my hands and clean them. So much food drops between those rocks. I feel for you but I don't know if a siphon would work in this case.

 

I had one of those, complete garage to me. I just got a cheap one off of Ebay and it works perfectly fine. OP can look at this one too. It is pretty cheap but works fine. Just squeeze on the blue thing and it pumps water.
View attachment 517178

I have one that looks the exact same but it has a long nozzle and a short nozzle. It works well. Cost was around $8.

 

I have one that looks the exact same but it has a long nozzle and a short nozzle. It works well. Cost was around $8.

Mine was $3 with free 3 day shipping

 

same I have a small top fin one from petsmart with a hand squeezer
I haven't been in the hobby long enough to see the ones you guys are talking about but squeezing sounds easier lol (no offence to anyone)

 

Just make your own to fit. It’s only a tube with a wide bit at the end....

 

Mine was $3 with free 3 day shipping

My shipping was 2 day. I got it from amazon

 

Just get some kind of tubing, but make sure you get something with mesh or a grate on the end so that fish or gravel will not get sucked up

 

If you can’t get a ‘grate’ you can use women’s stockings in a pinch. Also depending on the size of the tank you can use a turkey blaster (just be sure to have a separate one prior to thanksgiving )

 

If you can’t get a ‘grate’ you can use women’s stockings in a pinch. Also depending on the size of the tank you can use a turkey blaster (just be sure to have a separate one prior to thanksgiving )

Thanksgiving is a little ways away sadly

 

Does anyone have any methods on how to clean the tank water without a gravel vacuum? My small tank has an opening too small for any vacuum tube to fit in. I have been doing 100% water changes a week, but I know this isn't the best option for keeping fish comfortable. Does anyone have any methods to doing partial water changes without a gravel vacuum?

Thanks,
JtheFishMan

Something like this might help:
DIY Super Cheap Ultra MinI Vacuum and Water Changer

 

Just get some kind of tubing, but make sure you get something with mesh or a grate on the end so that fish or gravel will not get sucked up

 

If you can’t get a ‘grate’ you can use women’s stockings in a pinch. Also depending on the size of the tank you can use a turkey blaster (just be sure to have a separate one prior to thanksgiving )

I agree Turkey basters are great for sucking up poo and gunk in a small tank.

 

Just about any of those siphons pictured will empty that little chamber pot in about 5 seconds. If you use air line tubing it will work nicely and give you a chance to move around and pick up debris because it won't empty the tank so quickly. A rigid piece of clear plastic on the in-tank end will be very convenient.

And for the sake of your fish, get rid of those ridiculous boulders and, if you must have substrate, add a small amount of sand or gravel. Food will disappear between those rocks the moment it gets to the bottom...which does not take long in a "tank" that size. It's impossible to keep clean. With sand or gravel the food will remain visible on top, for either you or the fish to clean up.

 

My gravel vacuum just says to shake vigorously and the water just climbs up.

My old ones back in the day always said this....was never patient enough, hence I ended up with mouthfuls of tank water quite often

 

My gravel vacuum just says to shake vigorously and the water just climbs up.

I have tried this on both my 40G and my smaller tanks and I cannot get it to work. In my smaller tanks, the Python does not work well mainly because of how those tanks are below sink level, so I have to suck it into a bucket. The 40G is a bugger to start, thank God for the python.

 

I have the one with the blue bulb pump also it you get one of those and just take off the big end you can stick the tube in and pump water and debris out and if worried about fish or anything put a piece of polishing pad or something over the end and it will help catch the waste and you don’t have to worry about fish going up the tube