DIY micro gravel vaccuum

nerdariostomp · 08-23-2012, 04:26 AM

Well my nerites poop up a storm and occasionally there's just some little stuff that needs sucked out. The usual gravel vacs are a pain to prime, can't get to tight spots and on a 10 gallon they're too quick to fill my half gallon containers at work so I got an old dried up hilighter and gutted it, cleaned it very thoroughly and connected it to some hose larger than airline size. Works like a charm since the hilighter is already the perfect shape and I figured it may be helpful for you nano tank guys too. I'll post some pics in the morning

Chiro · 08-23-2012, 06:59 AM

A turkey baster works well too in a nano tank.

NWA-Planted · 08-23-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerdariostomp

Well my nerites poop up a storm and occasionally there's just some little stuff that needs sucked out. The usual gravel vacs are a pain to prime, can't get to tight spots and on a 10 gallon they're too quick to fill my half gallon containers at work so I got an old dried up hilighter and gutted it, cleaned it very thoroughly and connected it to some hose larger than airline size. Works like a charm since the hilighter is already the perfect shape and I figured it may be helpful for you nano tank guys too. I'll post some pics in the morning

nice job! I ended up using a bamboo skewer and zip tied it to a piece of airline hose lol

"People who don't like bacon can't be trusted. - NWA-Planted"

Newf0rm · 08-23-2012, 12:09 PM

i need to look in the junk drawers to see if i have some hilighters laying around

**Complexity** · 08-23-2012, 03:16 PM

I like it! Great idea. Thanks for posting it!

nerdariostomp · 08-23-2012, 05:58 PM

i just like taking big ideas and making them small...i guess that would explain much of my fascination with the planted aquarium

glad you like the idea. it certainly is a much cooler use of hilighters in my opinion. if it helps, the ones i'm using are hi-liter "the original brand"

Diana · 08-24-2012, 05:25 AM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=23954

I have all 3 sizes, and the littlest one is great for tanks up to 10 gallons.
It looks about the same size as your DIY version.

Starting the siphon is a bit of a problem, the little one does not start by shaking it up and down. I usually pre-fill the tube.

nerdariostomp · 08-24-2012, 01:16 PM

oh yeah, that's definitely about the same size. i normally just "manually" prime it about halfway down the hose and let gravity do the rest

08-23-2012, 04:26 AM	#1
nerdariostomp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newark, OH Posts: 181	DIY micro gravel vaccuum Well my nerites poop up a storm and occasionally there's just some little stuff that needs sucked out. The usual gravel vacs are a pain to prime, can't get to tight spots and on a 10 gallon they're too quick to fill my half gallon containers at work so I got an old dried up hilighter and gutted it, cleaned it very thoroughly and connected it to some hose larger than airline size. Works like a charm since the hilighter is already the perfect shape and I figured it may be helpful for you nano tank guys too. I'll post some pics in the morning Last edited by nerdariostomp; 08-23-2012 at 11:28 AM.. Reason: added photo

08-23-2012, 03:16 PM	#5
Complexity Pelvicachromis Lover! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (34/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,058	I like it! Great idea. Thanks for posting it! __________________ Vicki —Rena Filstar pimp #142 (four XP4s/three XP2s/one XP1) • Eheim pimp #301 (Pro II 2128) • Victor pimp #27 (VTS-253B-320) • 90g - Journal Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Moliwe' —— • 75g - Journal Pelvicachromis pulcher 'Lagos Red' Better Pics 8-24 • 29g - Journal Pelvicachromis pulcher 'unknown' —-- • 29g - Pelvicachromis taeniatus 'Moliwe' • 5g - RCS colony —————————————————— • 2.5g - Journal Retired

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08-23-2012, 06:59 AM	#2
Chiro Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 30	A turkey baster works well too in a nano tank.

08-23-2012, 12:09 PM	#4
Newf0rm Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waipahu, HI Posts: 53	i need to look in the junk drawers to see if i have some hilighters laying around

08-23-2012, 05:58 PM	#6
nerdariostomp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newark, OH Posts: 181	i just like taking big ideas and making them small...i guess that would explain much of my fascination with the planted aquarium glad you like the idea. it certainly is a much cooler use of hilighters in my opinion. if it helps, the ones i'm using are hi-liter "the original brand"

08-24-2012, 05:25 AM	#7
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,012	http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4&pcatid=23954 I have all 3 sizes, and the littlest one is great for tanks up to 10 gallons. It looks about the same size as your DIY version. Starting the siphon is a bit of a problem, the little one does not start by shaking it up and down. I usually pre-fill the tube.

08-24-2012, 01:16 PM	#8
nerdariostomp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Newark, OH Posts: 181	oh yeah, that's definitely about the same size. i normally just "manually" prime it about halfway down the hose and let gravity do the rest