Monster Sized Gravel Vacuum (Python on 'roids)

[aldiaz33]

For some reason the pictures I posted on the original thread that I created are not showing up. I think a DIY thread is worthless without pics, so here's a revised thread.

Items needed to make a Monster Gravel Vacuum:
1.25" Sump Drain tubing (25 ft) from local hardware store ($10)
1.25" Threaded Ball valve from local hardware store ($6)
(2) 1.25" PVC Barbed Fittings from local hardware store ($1.50ea)
Hose clamps from local hardware store (2) ($.99ea)
Hard plastic Python tube (various sizes can be purched online) ($10)
Gatorade bottle (64oz or larger)

I used the tube from my original Python. I bored out the cap of the Python tube so that the 1.25" sump tubing could be glued into the python end cap. I screwed the PVC barbed fittings into the ball valve and attached the sump hose by tightening the hose clamps. I cut the bottom out of the gatorade bottle and attached it to the hard plastic python tube. The gatorade bottle, while ghetto, increases the area of gravel I am able to vacuum each time I set the tube down into the gravel.

Presto: Monster Sized Gravel Vacuum.

This thing cuts the amount of time it takes me to do a water change by about 75%. Definitely worthwhile if you have to vacuum a large area of substrate.

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[r3d]

:ROFL:
this one just made me laugh
but that is awesome!!!

[Danscichlids88]

nice

[CJB]

That's sweet!

What size tank do you use this beast on?!

[bitteraspects]

bahahahahah. awesome. does it work just as well as a regular vac?

[skateatburners]

id like to see it in action ahah

[Gr8KarmaSF]

MONSTER!!!!

[aldiaz33]

:ROFL:
this one just made me laugh
but that is awesome!!!

Glad you found it humorous. Thanks. :)

nice
Thanks!

That's sweet!

Thanks. Got tired of 2 hour water changes with a puny python.

What size tank do you use this beast on?!
I use it on a 270 (6x3x2) and a 240 (8x2x2). Can empty 100G in less than 10 minutes.
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bahahahahah. awesome. does it work just as well as a regular vac?
Works awesome. This thing sucks like a Hoover.

[aldiaz33]

id like to see it in action ahah

I'll try to post a video. I get a little nervous when I have to prime it because I have some clown loaches (3"-4") that could get sucked up if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. They typically hide when I'm doing water changes, but I still worry about it.

[Jgray152]

BAAAHH OMG!!! HAHAAHAA

[flyin lizard]

That thing REALLY sucks... great idea

[flyin lizard]

Great idea.

[Dovii kid]

That thing is a beast, cool idea!

I would say put a screen in the siphon some how to keep it from sucking a fish threw, but it wouldnt help. With the suction power of that thing, if your fish did get sucked in, the screen would cut your fish in cubes....

[Greenspot]

Thats awesome! I just finished doing a water change on my 170, took me ages and was going to post something about how to build a bigger one. I was worried if I made the pipe bigger the gravel would just get sucked all the way up and out. I really like the flow stopping tap, with my water change today i had to get my boyfriend to run outside and stop the flow when a yabbie got stuck in the pipe.

[aldiaz33]

Thats awesome! I just finished doing a water change on my 170, took me ages and was going to post something about how to build a bigger one. I was worried if I made the pipe bigger the gravel would just get sucked all the way up and out. I really like the flow stopping tap, with my water change today i had to get my boyfriend to run outside and stop the flow when a yabbie got stuck in the pipe.

This definitely speeds up water changes. The ball valve comes in handy when I'm moving from one opening in my tank to another in that it keeps the siphon primed. But by making the intake larger by attaching the gatorade bottle with the bottom cut out, it disperses the suction enough so that rocks don't get sucked out of my tank. I typically tone it down a little with the ball valve, but by expanding the intake I'm able to vacuum more gravel everytime I set it down into the substrate, which is another huge timesaver.

Sorry to hear about your yabbie (I had to use google to find out what that is). We call them crayfish or crawdads over here :). Was he/she ok?

[bitteraspects]

i just went and picked up a big python, and now im debating doing a similar conversion.

[drb]

Now somebody modify this slightly so it can still be started with the faucet and then return water to the tank like the Python!

[aldiaz33]

Now somebody modify this slightly so it can still be started with the faucet and then return water to the tank like the Python!

You pointed out the two flaws. To get the siphon started, I have to take a deep breathe and suck like a banchee. To refill the tank, I use a standard hose attached to a bathroom sink faucet.

I'll have to figure out how to solve these two issues before I go into production. :confused:

[drb]

You pointed out the two flaws. To get the siphon started, I have to take a deep breathe and suck like a banchee. To refill the tank, I use a standard hose attached to a bathroom sink faucet.

I'll have to figure out how to solve these two issues before I go into production. :confused:
Patent it when you figure it out, could be a million dollar idea!

[Dr Joe]

I'll try to post a video. I get a little nervous when I have to prime it because I have some clown loaches (3"-4") that could get sucked up if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. They typically hide when I'm doing water changes, but I still worry about it.

That thing is a beast, cool idea!

I would say put a screen in the siphon some how to keep it from sucking a fish threw, but it wouldnt help. With the suction power of that thing, if your fish did get sucked in, the screen would cut your fish in cubes....

Use plastic canvas from craft/hobby dept/stores.

.

Now somebody modify this slightly so it can still be started with the faucet and then return water to the tank like the Python!

You need to dechlor the water first, now if you inject dechlor at the faucet end with a metering pump and create a mixing turbulence...


Dr Joe

.

[invisyblegypsey]

THAT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:headbang2:headbang2:headbang2 :headbang2
and i just happen to have all those parts in my garage

[bitteraspects]

You need to dechlor the water first, now if you inject dechlor at the faucet end with a metering pump and create a mixing turbulence...
.

or create some kind of dispenser that clips to the hose itself and slowly releases the dechlorinating agent into the water as it fills. that should solve the dechlor and mixing issues in one fail swoop

[Gator]

put a 2nd valve closer to the other end and just keep dipping the business end in the water till you fill the hose up then open the valve. Looks good though, I sure could use that for my tank!

[killerlexus]

you need a wet/dry vac for that.