Gravel cleaning without removing water

Canister vacume

I would love to see some drawings of this plan. I guess that it is mearly a diverter valve with som flexible hose attached.

My concern is if the valve leaks or worse the whole thing comimg apart. I have heard so many horror stories of external filters coming apart. Since this is on the suction side I guess the motor would burn out instead of the water going everywhere.
 
Some external filters may come apart. Thankfully that has never happened to me, but then I am an advocate of only one paticular brand, and have dozens of them, all in daily use for years witout issues.
 
RTR said:
... ...Personally, I find the air- or battery-powered gravel washers ineffective. .....
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Actually, if you get the Marineland gravel vacuum you will be very pleased with how well it works! It runs off an aquarium air pump (most of us have them..).

In the picture below, you can see the trapped debris. What smaller particles seep through the bag are picked up by the tank filter - or better a diatom filter running at the time and just after vacuuming. You can use the bag over and over after cleaning it, and when you need replacement bags, order the proper mesh size. It really works well when you don't need to do a water change!

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VitaminJ - Eheim, what else?

125Joe - combining a wimpy battery or air-powered vac with a diatom is using a Ferrari to follow a horse and buggy to poop-scoop. The big Vortex units have gravel vac as an option, if you have the unit, you just do that. I use the Whisper Diatomagic when I am doing more than a little replanting in the smaller tanks, to keep from loading up my normal mechanical filtration. In the big tanks, I'd use the Vortex XL while I work. You finish with the tank water more particulate-free than it was when you started.
 
Everytime I log on here, I see what's called "Help Forums."

http://www.aquariacentral.com/

It's there....

An air powered gravel vacuum does work. The proof is right there in the picture from my own 125 gallon.... Any good working filter, whether it's a HOB (hang-on-the-back of tank) or canister will take care of tiny particles in the water column.

I just want to let others know that you can clean the gravel without changing the water. I believe that was the posted Topic....... sheeezze........

Water changes are necessary....

To go on, I'm on here trying to help others...

Too bad some may think air vacuums are useless --- I know better. :rolleyes:



edited to remove 'horse and buggy' and 'Ferrari'... just didn't fit in....
 
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In the same amount of time and effort, another water partial could be done, to much greater improvemenet in the general tank condition. So on that topic I am certainly one of those who consider air vacuums a waste of time and effort.
 
RTR said:
In the same amount of time and effort, another water partial could be done, to much greater improvemenet in the general tank condition. .... .
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But, you see that's just a partial water change. The topic was/is "Gravel cleaning without removing water"... ;) And, the vacuum does remove debris.. ;)
 
So let me clarify - my point is that the water partial with vacuuming is more beneficial than just vacuuming in the same time investment. Are you advocating a relatively inefficient practice over a more beneficial one, or simply staying that that it is possible, although it is a bit of a waste of time?
 
RTR said:
Perhaps the wrong questions are being asked and answered here....
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I believe the original question was...

"I would like to be able to clean about 50% of the gravel weekly without removing more then 25% of the water. Anyone with good ideas on how to accomplish this please let me know. "

I agree with the practices RTR advocates and I don't believe 125Joe was advocating anything. Yes Joe, you answered the question nicely and RTR, you pointed out very relevant facts. On to the next thread... ;)
 
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