The Aquarium Cleaning Machine

[Sploke]

Luckily I use well water so pretreatment is not necessary, I am able to add it directly to the tank. The drip system/auto change will take care of water changes, and I was planning on using a canister with sponges and floss for vacuuming, and maybe a micron filter bag over the return for a final polish. The concept is nice but I still think its overpriced. Likewise, usually have 10+ tanks running varying from 10gal QT tanks up to 200gal so any timesaver is great, I just tend to look at existing designs and build my own stuff for less $$.

 

[Star_Rider]

Luckily I use well water so pretreatment is not necessary, I am able to add it directly to the tank. The drip system/auto change will take care of water changes, and I was planning on using a canister with sponges and floss for vacuuming, and maybe a micron filter bag over the return for a final polish. The concept is nice but I still think its overpriced. Likewise, usually have 10+ tanks running varying from 10gal QT tanks up to 200gal so any timesaver is great, I just tend to look at existing designs and build my own stuff for less $$.

My fav discus breeder uses an drip type system..it is great.
sounds like an interesting system you designed.

where's the pictures

 

[Sploke]

Its not installed yet Its for the fishwall I'm building (see the link in my sig). The plumbing is going to be the last step, running a new water line over behind the wall and setting up the auto-topoff. There will be lots of pictures when it's completed.

 

[KRUNNCH540]

I am still curious about one thing though. I have some Eheim 2217s lying around. What prevents me from stuffing filter floss, blue bonded filter and some micron pads...then sucking the crap out of my gravel? Would that not be the same thing? Surely if I stuff enough filtration into my Eheim, I can nearly replicate the filter capabilities. Then separately I can do a water change with a hose and leave it gravity fed while I am sucking the living day lights out of the gravel. I mean normally, I only use my Python to get a siphon started. I just turn it off at that point and let gravity slowly drain my tank...saves water.

 

[cstrohmeyer]

I actually think it may be a good idea.

I wish I could see on in action.

I gather that it treats tap water prior to adding into the tank? eliminating the need for prime(or other conditioner) ?


I like many here have several tanks my smallest is 29 largest is 110 marine/reef.

There is a carbon insert in this unit, however I do not always use this, especially in my clients planted aquariums.
I generally do not fill via this machine anyway except for RO (with added minerals) containers or saltwater mixing containers (I place the vacuum end into the container and the exhaust into the tank), generally I use a line from the faucet or outdoor connect (if warm enough). So the way I personally use this machine, the carbon insert is not really as important since the RO or SW containers are already chlorine free.

This URL has a link to a video (Windows Media Player required) just under the slide show: http://americanaquariumproducts.com/CleaningMachine.html

 

[cstrohmeyer]

I am still curious about one thing though. I have some Eheim 2217s lying around. What prevents me from stuffing filter floss, blue bonded filter and some micron pads...then sucking the h*ll out of my gravel? Would that not be the same thing? Surely if I stuff enough filtration into my Eheim, I can nearly replicate the filter capabilities. Then separately I can do a water change with a hose and leave it gravity fed while I am sucking the living day lights out of the gravel. I mean normally, I only use my Python to get a siphon started. I just turn it off at that point and let gravity slowly drain my tank...saves water.

I have tried many similar hook ups myself long before this machine became available, however the design of the Eheim, Fluval or Via Aqua canister filters (the tree I have used the most) simply allows a lot of flow by in comparison to this machines design. Also a micron filter polishes much better than floss, however if you try jamming poly filter pads this may work with some more efficiency.

Where I have achieved more similar results is with filters that have the same style o cartridge arrangement and use a micron filter such as the LifeGuard, the Magnums (although generally too weak) and the Ocean Clear.
I rigged up a vacuum to an Ocean Clear (which have strong motors) many years back and achieved pretty good results.

Here is a URL with an Ocean Clear picture:
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Ocean_Clear_Model_317_Canister_Filter_p/roc80317.htm

 

[Star_Rider]

good information

thank you and welcome aboard

 

[KRUNNCH540]

I second that.

 

[gagaliya]

what kind of idiot would pay 180 bucks for this, must be a joke. Just get a python for 30 bucks, vac while doing water change, same thing. And when you are adding water back, pour in the prime to dechlorinate.

If you are really obsessed about keeping the gravel clean, get an eheim sludge extractor for 50 bucks and you can gravel vac all day long.

If you dont want to gravel vac at all, setup a saltwater tank or a planted freshwater tank. I havent vacced for over 2 years now.

I thought it was some type of automated water change / gravel cleaning system, but it's just a fancy python that cost 180 bucks :wall:

 

[cstrohmeyer]

I second that.

THANKS!

As to the point about the cleaning machine being a fancy python for $180. I am sorry but this is apples to oranges, a better comparison is to a Vortex Diatom Filter with an attached vacuum as this is both a water changer AND a polishing filter.
Obviously this is definitely not for everyone (in fact this is most like NOT for the average aquarist with 20 gallon tank on their dresser), however if one is having problems with high DOC or poor Redox this machine is very helpful so as to NOT change too much water at a time (causing osmotic stress in fish).
It really comes down an aquarists personal needs and value they may place on their fish (assuming water quality has been an issue, again DOC and Redox in particular).
To me the bottom line is why would aquarium professionals waste their money on something that doe not work?