I just got done with a DIY version. Cost me about 2.50$.
5' section of 1/2" PVC (shortest length I saw sold)
T connector, slip type. The side output is larger, maybe 3/4"
3x8" filter media bag from petsmart
I had already picked up 25' of airline tubing to hook up a bunch of airstones in my 65.
I haven't fully completed it yet (don't have a drill) but I had a dude at lowes cut the pvc down so I had two 15" sections and a 30" section (the 30" is spare). Just slip those into the T connector and tie the bag around so its over the side output. Tomorrow I'll borrow a drill to make a legit hole for the airline tubing, but to test it out I just stuck it in from the bottom about 4 inches and held it to the pipe at the top. I used a tetra pump rated for 20g and it picked up all the waste off the bottom no problem. If I dip the pipe into the sand it will pick some up, but if you're careful to only skim off the top you'll be ok.
I'm pretty happy. Gonna make it a bit more 'pro' tomorrow with the drill & whatnot.
So, in other words....if you can find the real one at your LFS for 8 bucks...I'd just go with that, if you can't, you can build one for between 3-8$ depending on what you already have. And in case you can't figure it out...you could also use flex tube instead of pvc if you have nooks and crannies that you need to get into. I went with straight PVC because I'm not TOO worried about getting into my caves, and this is mostly so I can keep my tanks clean from day to day without geting my hands in the tanks at all.
(my posts are always way too damn long)
5' section of 1/2" PVC (shortest length I saw sold)
T connector, slip type. The side output is larger, maybe 3/4"
3x8" filter media bag from petsmart
I had already picked up 25' of airline tubing to hook up a bunch of airstones in my 65.
I haven't fully completed it yet (don't have a drill) but I had a dude at lowes cut the pvc down so I had two 15" sections and a 30" section (the 30" is spare). Just slip those into the T connector and tie the bag around so its over the side output. Tomorrow I'll borrow a drill to make a legit hole for the airline tubing, but to test it out I just stuck it in from the bottom about 4 inches and held it to the pipe at the top. I used a tetra pump rated for 20g and it picked up all the waste off the bottom no problem. If I dip the pipe into the sand it will pick some up, but if you're careful to only skim off the top you'll be ok.
I'm pretty happy. Gonna make it a bit more 'pro' tomorrow with the drill & whatnot.
So, in other words....if you can find the real one at your LFS for 8 bucks...I'd just go with that, if you can't, you can build one for between 3-8$ depending on what you already have. And in case you can't figure it out...you could also use flex tube instead of pvc if you have nooks and crannies that you need to get into. I went with straight PVC because I'm not TOO worried about getting into my caves, and this is mostly so I can keep my tanks clean from day to day without geting my hands in the tanks at all.
(my posts are always way too damn long)
