Help me decide which Gravel Vac, please!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

girl_interrupted

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2009
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Python imo. A guy on eBay sells them with an option to "Make an Offer"...regular price is $30ish and I offered $25 for it and he accepted. Just a little fyi in case you might get tired of filling up 5g buckets of water.
 
REALLY IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF FISH YOU HAVE. WHY? YOU ASK. ILL TELL YOU, BECAUSE IF YOUR FISH LIKE HARD WATER. I WOULD BUY ONE WITH THE CONNECTION TO YOUR SINK. IF ONE IS NEAR. AND IF YOU USE RO WATER IT DOESNT MATTER CUZ YU HAVE CARRY WATER ANY WAYS. THOSE ARE MY TWO CENTS!!! BUT FOR SURE GET A BIGGER ONE THEN RATING ON THE BOX.
 
if you are like most hobbyist, you will eventually upgrade to a larger tank. go with a PYTHON. a PYTHON will allow for quick draining and thorough vacuuming of gravel and quick refills. plus, pythons are well made and durable. the vaccums you are currently considering will not perform as you wish and will not last as long as you want.
 
For a more simple answer I would just go with the basic 7 dollar gravel vac. (the plastic ones). If you don't mind making your own siphon, I see nothing wrong with it. I've done a comparison with my pals python, and I get the job done just as fast as him, and can vac my gravel just as well. Especially since you have such a small tank a simple plastic one will do the job. However like others recommended, if you are a passionate hobbyist a Python will probablly be the best choice you can make.
 
The "Lee's" gravel vac works great, but the self-start feature doesn't work very well on small tanks, so there is some uhhhh...oral assistance..required. I've never used the JBJ, but it looks like it would work very well. That said, I have several vacs in my cabinet: a small Lee's for detail work around my plants & stirring sand (too small for WC's), a medium size Marina for combo sessions so I dont empty my small tanks too quickly when I do light vac & WC at the same time, and finally a Python for doing straight WC's. IMO, skip the Python for now & just get a medium size vac (self-priming is great). I'd use (some of) the leftover money for a few of those nice buckets they have with the padded handles & thick walls. Just my .02.
 
If you don't mind carrying buckets, then either one will be fine. But to make life easier, go with a python or one that attaches to your sink.
 
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