Buyer’s Guide to Buy Best Gravel Cleaner For Fish Tank

Ensure the cleanliness of your aquarium fish by buying best gravel cleaner. Learn about different types of top rated gravel cleaners with our review and buying guide.

Keeping your lovely fish healthy and happy in the aquarium is your responsibility. To do this, it is very important to maintain the cleanliness of your aquarium.

However, with the advancement of technology, you do not need to do a laborious task to clean the tank. Most of the filtration systems keep the water of aquarium clean but that is not enough to keep your aquarium healthy.

To give your fish an ideal aquatic environment, you have to clean the gravel of aquarium also in a good way. Check out our guide on how to clean a fish tank.

Thanks to technology, there are now many efficient gravel cleaners available in the market that can do the job for you.

Debris Removal

The main things that make the aquarium floor and gravel dirty are fish waste products, plant debris, and uneaten food items.

Timely removal of these entire items form aquarium is very important to give your fish a clean and fresh environment. You do not need to empty your aquarium to clean it as a good gravel cleaner will perform the whole task in no time.

However, if you ignore to clean the gravel then it will increase the level of toxins and pollution in the aquarium.

In addition, the high concentration of ammonia and nitrite in the water will lead to a change in water chemistry. Then, all this will ultimately put a bad effect on the immunity level of the fish. 

Improved Water Chemistry

Maintaining better water chemistry in an aquarium is also very important. This is because there are some healthy bacteria as well which are essential for the health and well-being of fish. Like in humans, we have some healthy gut bacteria that help in better functioning of the system.

So, in the same way, fish also need some good bacteria in water for maintaining a healthy environment. Thus, you should never replace 100% water in the aquarium.

Rather add 25% more fresh water to the tank simultaneously while gravel cleaning. This will ensure that the growth of bacteria will be stable in the water. here…

Here Are The Best Gravel Vacuums Reviewed

1. 25 Foot – Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System

Sale
Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System, Gravel Cleaner and Water Changer, 25 Foot
  • Easy To Use: Hassle free! No buckets, no siphons, no mess, no tank tear downs ever again! Every aquarium owner has felt the utter frustration of lugging a heavy, water filled bucket to your aquarium and spilling it on the floor. But those days are gone! Let the Python put the effort in and do all of that heavy lifting for you!
  • Master Routine Maintenance: Regular water changes and a maintenance routine help to keep our favourite aquatic pets happy and healthy, and should be done regularly! But all aquarium owners know that maintenance and water changes can be hard to keep up with, especially with a busy schedule. The Python system eliminates the dread and frustrations associated with water changes and allows you to complete the task in mere minutes, not hours! Spend more time looking at your tank, not cleaning it!
  • Everything You Need: The complete ready-to-use system comes equipped with a hose, gravel tube, switch, hose connectors, faucet pump, and brass faucet adapter so you can get started on maintenance right away. The system quickly and easily attaches to most faucet styles and can be fully installed and ready to go in less than 5 minutes!
  • Gentle, Yet Powerful: The Python can quickly drain and fill your tank, but don't worry, it won't negatively impact your aquatic pets or plants! The flow is not powerful enough to cause harm or distress to fish but can pick up waste, leftover food and other organic debris with ease.
  • Versatile and Reliable: Well suited for freshwater and saltwater aquariums of every size, the versatile unit both drains and fills aquariums quickly and efficiently using negative pressure from the running faucet. Heavy duty, air tight tubing promises optimal performance and ensures that not a single drop of water is spilled during use.

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

  • It can adapt very easily to most faucets.
  • It is a complete ready-to-use system.
  • It will not disturb fish during the cleaning process.
  • It cleans the tank very quickly.
  • No need of buckets, siphons, and no tank tear downs ever again.

Cons

  • Some customers complained about its slow and less-effective customer service.
  • Fixing the device to the faucet is quite difficult and complex.
  • Its price is $39 that makes it a very expensive product.

If the fish tank you use requires more regular intervals of cleaning the fish tank, then this one is the safest cleaner to use. It does not involve any bucket to store or change the water.

The 25 foot long hose pipe is induced with a filter strong enough to clean the aquarium with the force at most to a breeze. The fishes never get disturbed during the cleaning process which is a really good sign for their trauma prevention.

The gravel vacuum is a best seller on Amazon.com because of the easy yet safest features.

2. Genuine TERAPUMP Aquarium Cleaner Aquarium Fish Tank Gravel Sand Cleaner with Long Nozzle N Water Flow Controller

TERA PUMP TRFTCLN Aquarium Gravel Cleaner (BPA Free) Aquarium Sand Cleaner/Water Siphon with Long Nozzle & Water Flow Controller, (10-20 Gallon Tank)
  • TRANSFER RATES - Replaces Water up to 1.5 Gallons per Minute or about 7 Liters per Minute, Empties 10 Gallon Tanks in 7 Minutes - For use with 10 Gallon Aquarium to 20 Gallon - Flow Controller: Control the flow by sliding the included flow control clip to stop or start the flow
  • RECOMMENDED - Suitable for Water, BPA-FREE: Safe for all aquarium life - Flexible Discharge Hose of 5.5-inch ( 0.45ft ) for reaching between floor & across rooms - Simple Operation: simply use the suction cup on the side of a aquarium, and clip Discharge Hose to receiving container (ex. Bucket) and begin squeezing the Bulb to begin the Siphon
  • REPLACE WATER - Replacing Water from ponds, aquarium, bathtubs, pools, and other water storage structures to keep water circulating - Remove water from window wells, basements, boats, inflatables, trays , washing machines & more
  • SIPHON POWERED - Powered with Manual Siphon-Action - Filtering Dirty Water or Rainwater: Recycle rain water for watering plants around the house or Clean - Includes Two (2) types of Nozzle Filters: Shorter is for water changing or Drainage, Longer Nozzle is for Cleaning Fish Leftover Food droppings, and Fine Gravel
  • MANUFACTURER WARRANTY - TERA PUMP has been manufacturing reliable pumps for 10 Years and back their product with a 1-Year Warranty on Manufacturer Defects - Portable and lightweight: great for outdoor activities

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

  • ​It comes with two types of nozzles. The shorter nozzle is used for drainage and longer nozzle takes the leftover food out while replacing the water.
  • Its unique pump allows the sand and dirt to be easily removed along with water. 
  • Its transfer rate is 1.5 gallons per minute.
  • It cleans the tank very quickly.
  • It will not lift even any small pebbles.

Cons

  • ​Some buyers have complained that its suction power is not good as it does not remove the waste completely.

This is an exclusive siphon gravel vacuum cleaner pump. The origin of the original product from the company is always made in Korea otherwise include production origin of china.

The cleaner comes with two nozzles for multiple cleaning, short nozzle for drainage and longer ones for gravel cleaning.

The pump allows the sand to flow along with water and does not trap it at all. It also works as a receptor to start transferring liquid from one receptacle to another.

3. EHEIM Quick Vac Pro Automatic Gravel Cleaner and Sludge Extractor

EHEIM Quick Vac Pro Automatic Gravel Cleaner and Sludge Extractor- PetOverstock
  • Easy to use - no buckets or hoses required
  • Extends intervals between water changes
  • Fully submersible up to 3 feet
  • Battery operated
  • Ideal for complete aquarium cleaning or quick spot maintenance

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

  • It can adapt very easily to most faucets.
  • It is a complete ready-to-use system.
  • It will not disturb fish during the cleaning process.
  • It cleans the tank very quickly.
  • No need of buckets, siphons, and no tank tear downs ever again.

Cons

  • Some customers complained about its slow and less-effective customer service.
  • Fixing the device to the faucet is quite difficult and complex.
  • Its price is $39 that makes it a very expensive product.

This is the best and most stylish vacuum gravel cleaner of all time. It is submersible up to 3 feet of depth in the fish tank. There is no requirement of a hose or a bucket to store the water during the cleaning process.

The filter is strong enough to clean the gravel the quickest. Though costlier than the rest of the similar products, it is also better than others.

The cleaner is battery operated and without any risk of any current leakage at all. Using this will surely increase the interval gaps of water change of your aquarium.

4. ​Aqueon 06226 Mini Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Gravel Cleaner, 5-Inch

Sale
Aqueon Aquarium Siphon Vacuum Gravel Cleaner Mini - 5 Inches
  • Makes routine water changes easier!
  • Use up and down motion to start water flow
  • Removes dirty water and vacuums out the debris in gravel
  • 6 foot flexible hose with clip for attaching the drain hose to the inside of a bucket
  • Ideal for aquariums 1 to 5 gallons

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros

  • ​It quickly changes the water.
  • It effectively and quickly separates debris from gravel.
  • To start water flow, it does self-priming by using up and down motion.
  • It also comes with clips for attaching the drain hose inside a bucket.
  • Perfect for tanks up to 5 gallons.
  • Suction is strong so it cleans the tank very quickly.
  • It is very easy and simple to use.

Cons

  • ​The up and down motion required practice to get perfect.
  • You would probably have to remove your fish out of the tank as the suction is very strong.
  • Some customers complained that due to its packaging, the plastic tube stays bent for many days.

If you do not want to change the water of the fish tank more tank 35%, this one does the work fastest and pretty effectively. It is ideal for quick water changes.

The up and down motion feature allows a moderate flow of water and does not disturb the fishes in the tank. It efficiently separates debris from the gravel.

It is the cheapest product in the whole line of the gravel vacuum cleaners but also one of the most proudly sold on amazon.com.

5. ​KollerCraft TOM Gravel Vacuum

No products found.

Pros

  • ​It is best suitable for a quick water change.
  • ​It starts quickly by gently squeezing the hand pump to initiate the siphon.
  • ​It quickly removes debris and fish waste.
  • ​It’s the most affordable gravel cleaner on the list.

Cons

  • ​Some users have complained that after the use of a few weeks, the plastic in the handle got cracked.
  • The tubing connection with the bulb could be better.

In the cheaper segment of hose equipped gravel vacuum cleaners, this is the most preferred one. The cost is a sure attraction when compared to the number of features provided in the device.

It is exclusively ideal for tall tanks, column tanks and hexagonal tanks. The siphon comes with an adjustable precise and detailed flow control. 

It is also available in various nozzle sizes to ensure the tank compatibility is most accurate.

My Pick

Truly speaking, all the above-mentioned gravel cleaners are good.

But if I have to pick one then Genuine TERAPUMP Aquarium Cleaner Aquarium Fish Tank Gravel Sand Cleaner with Long Nozzle N Water Flow Controller is the best choice. 

This is because it cleanses the tank properly without picking up any pebbles or without leaving any little particles of debris. Moreover, its price is also affordable. 

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[Revised and Updated for July, 2019]
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Written by Debra Hutchinson, founder of FishXperts

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