DIY Vacuum

[Starlight_Guide]

So with being on a college budget, I knew I needed a gravel vacuum, but I didnt have the money for it. So my boyfriend figured out how to make your own.

We had a fairly large piece of tubing, and drilled a hole in the lid of a pop/water bottle. (We used a water bottle, that way we didnt have to worry about any residue from pop.) The hole has to be big enough for the tubing to fit in snuggly, and then we took hot glue and sealed it.

I think if you had the stuff to repair tanks with that would be better, but we used what we had.

I looked through this section as much as I could to see if anyone else posted something like this. I couldnt find anything. If someone else has posted something like this, you can just delete this post.

[jones57742]

Starlight_Guide:

What is your major and what is you current collegiate level.

(nothing personal but there is a method to my madness).

TR

[Starlight_Guide]

Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology. This will be my 3rd year.

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by Starlight_Guide

Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology. This will be my 3rd year.

TY for responding instead of getting PO'ed.

You indicated in your post that you had tubing (which I presume is air line tubing?}

If you are like me it is a long ways from your dorm window to the ground.

Forget the pop bottle. Place one end of the air line tube in the tank and suck on the other end. Stick the other end out out of te window such that the terminus is approximately 5' lower than than the water surface in the tank and you will will have a very rudimentary DIY Vac.

TR

[Starlight_Guide]

The tubing is bigger than air line tubing. Its got a pretty big opening.

and no. We have apartment style dorms, and I live on the first floor, plus my tanks aren't near my window.

I dont think I would ever suck on anything, that dirty fish water came out of, especially with poop and fish food particles.

Not to mention, I tried just using tubing before, and the substrate became lodged in the tubing.

Tubing alone is not a sufficent enough vacuum for me. You can take my suggestion, or you can leave it. I just thought I would post it.

As for not getting PO'ed, I still wonder why you asked.

[emc7]

I dont think I would ever suck on anything, that dirty fish water came out of, especially with poop and fish food particles

If your fish water isn't clean enough to drink, you need to change more water.

The soda bottle is a good idea. I've seen fish traps and brine shrimp hatcheries made out of them but not gravel washers.

[Starlight_Guide]

Oh, my fish water is clean, I do multiple water changes each week. At least 2 or 3.

But, in the same sense, toilet water is clean, but I wouldnt drink that either.

[Obsidian]

I used to fight with getting my "self starting" siphon to actually "self start" (nice concept, poor reality). Now I start it via sucking the end. Very rarely have I ever gotten any in my mouth, and when I have I have not been concerned. It is an incredibly small amount and I certainly don't swallow it.

[Starlight_Guide]

Actually I had that problem too, but I figured out that if you fill up the vaccuum part with tank water, lift it up out of the water enough to start it going down the tube, and then stick it back in, it keeps it going.

As for if you have just plain tubing, stick all of it in the water, make sure it fills up and there isnt many air holes, hold one end towards the bottom of the tank, put your thumb over the other end (the end that goes in the bucket, put it in the bucket and let go.

[Obsidian]

Did that too, takes twice the time of sticking it in, sucking and dumping. It's quick and efficient. No muss no fuss.

[emc7]

As for if you have just plain tubing, stick all of it in the water, make sure it fills up and there isnt many air holes, hold one end towards the bottom of the tank, put your thumb over the other end (the end that goes in the bucket, put it in the bucket and let go.

This work too. But after a few mouthfuls you get the hang of it and stop drinking it. Lately, I stole 1/2 a quick change valve from a canister filter. I can close the valve, move it to the next tank and open it without losing siphon. You can start it by putting the whole tube in and closing the valve, but I just suck it, its faster and I don't get drenched. Not that you should, thats just what I do.

It is possible to get a few diseases from fish, but I'd much rather drink fish water than share a water glass with a human.

[Ricker]

It is possible to get a few diseases from fish, but I'd much rather drink fish water than share a water glass with a human

LOl I am not sure but I don't know I might want to drink like some one I knows water then fish water all day. All I know is I do it the old fashion way. suck put it in trash can drag trash can to bathroom dump in toilet and flush lol. I want to get one of them pythons I think they are called but to much money for me when I can just do what I am doing right now.

[emc7]

Ricker, I guess you never got a burning sore throat and laryngitis from a sibling stealing a sip of your drink.

[Jgray152]

Originally Posted by jones57742

TY for responding instead of getting PO'ed.

You indicated in your post that you had tubing (which I presume is air line tubing?}

If you are like me it is a long ways from your dorm window to the ground.

Forget the pop bottle. Place one end of the air line tube in the tank and suck on the other end. Stick the other end out out of te window such that the terminus is approximately 5' lower than than the water surface in the tank and you will will have a very rudimentary DIY Vac.

TR

The pop bottle is a good idea since it won't pick up the gravel and only the crud in it. BTW, thanks for adding another word to my dictionary "terminus". hehe. That must mean the "end" or "termination point or something"

It is an incredibly small amount and I certainly don't swallow it.

It helps boost your immune system

LOl I am not sure but I don't know I might want to drink like some one I knows water then fish water all day. All I know is I do it the old fashion way. suck put it in trash can drag trash can to bathroom dump in toilet and flush lol. I want to get one of them pythons I think they are called but to much money for me when I can just do what I am doing right now.

what if you ran a UV light on your tank Would you drink it now? It would have less germs than someone elses drinking glass.

I see this thread is heading in another direction..

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by emc7

If your fish water isn't clean enough to drink, you need to change more water.

Quadruple ditto except than maintaining pristine water, however you do it, is, IMHO, critical to successful long term fish keeping.
Getting back to basics, as in physics, if you are not willing to suck on the tube your water is not appropriate for your fish.

Originally Posted by Starlight_Guide

Oh, my fish water is clean, I do multiple water changes each week. At least 2 or 3.
But, in the same sense, toilet water is clean, but I wouldnt drink that either.

SG: You are somehow missing the context of emc's comments. Please refer to the last sentence in the first quote herein.


Folks: I just flat do not believe that a soda pop bottle will work here (regardless of the size).

Originally Posted by Starlight_Guide

The tubing is bigger than air line tubing. Its got a pretty big opening.
Not to mention, I tried just using tubing before, and the substrate became lodged in the tubing.

SG: these assertions are in diametric opposition.
Can you measure the diameter of your tubing? (I anticipate that it is 9mm ~= to 3/8").
What is your estimation of the diameter of your substrate (I anticipate that it is typically 1/2")

Originally Posted by Starlight_Guide

and no. We have apartment style dorms, and I live on the first floor, plus my tanks aren't near my window.

But the elevation of your yard is like 10' lower than the water surface in your tank?

Before I can be of any more help I need to know
the distance from your tank to the nearest window;
the distance from your tank to the nearest faucet (I am trying to get you out of the bucket business here); and
as you came up with the tubing from "somewhere" I presume that you can come with more.

SG: I am angeling to something here but need the information set forth above. Based upon your input I may have additional questions.

Originally Posted by Jgray152

The pop bottle is a good idea since it won't pick up the gravel and only the crud in it. BTW

Jg: please excuse me here but I would not have said this one.
You do not know the inflow orifice area of the soda pop bottle and hence not only this item but we do not the static head which SG is dealing with.

Originally Posted by Jgray152

... thanks for adding another word to my dictionary "terminus". hehe. That must mean the "end" or "termination point or something"

jg: I am nowhere close to my definition of a scholar. Where have you been the last 24 years?
Also please google for the words with which you are unfamiliar and add them to your vocabulary. The conception of a topic and the preparation of a white paper concerning the topic is plenty difficult and would just be unmerciful in the absence an acceptable vocabulary.


SG: please excuse the bantering between Jg and I as we are only trying to help out here!

TR

[pokefan]

Here's my idea on this topic, This is the DIY section she simply her idea of a DIY vacuum there's no reason to bash her for not wanting to suck the water out of the fish tank whether or not it's clean enough to do is beside the point. She doesn't want to do it therefore there's no reason to bash her fish keeping skills for it!

SG, Sounds like a good idea I'm glad you've found an alternative that suits your needs. Thanks for sharing to those of us that care!

[Jgray152]

Jg: please excuse me here but I would not have said this one.
You do not know the inflow orifice area of the soda pop bottle and hence not only this item but we do not the static head which SG is dealing with.

To set science aside for a moment, as long as the tubing they are using fits either in or around the top of the pop bottle then it should work fine as long as the pop bottle is submerged 100% (try getting it to start when its 50% out of the water...) and there is enough flow through the tubing. This can really only be determined by observation. By her observation, it works good for her.

Most tank's water levels are about 4 feet from the floor so there is no problem there when using a bucket.

Folks: I just flat do not believe that a soda pop bottle will work here (regardless of the size).

It will. It obveously does for SG. Cutting the bottom off and using the top for the hose to be inserted into. It will work just fine. Have you seen gravel cleaner off the shelf? Notice there are taller and shorter ones? Thats not only for handeling purposes. Try using a 24" gravel cleaner in a 10 gallon tank and let me know how it was to start up and how it flowed. I bet it wouldn't flow at all.

I am nowhere close to my definition of a scholar. Where have you been the last 24 years?

I paid little attention while I was in school and with my A.D.D. its gets pretty damn difficult to learn much of anything when reading or being told something which is why on hands experience is the best. I have to read a paragraph multiple times to fully comprehend it at times.

Also please google for the words with which you are unfamiliar and add them to your vocabulary. The conception of a topic and the preparation of a white paper concerning the topic is plenty difficult and would just be unmerciful in the absence an acceptable vocabulary.

Need to start using words and phrases that are easier to comprehend. haha

You know im just giving you a hard time Ron.

[emc7]

Sorry for the thread hijack. I do like the bottle idea. Of course it would work. A bottle with the bottom cut off has a wide bottom and a narrow neck, just like the gravel washers you buy. Don't suck if you don't want to. The fish won't care.

[Jgray152]

To start it without sucking you could submerge the hose starting with the end that connects to the pop bottle. Then put your finger over the end and lift it out and put it in a buck or out the window. Should instantly start.

[Obsidian]

Originally Posted by jones57742

Before I can be of any more help I need to know
the distance from your tank to the nearest window;
the distance from your tank to the nearest faucet (I am trying to get you out of the bucket business here); and
as you came up with the tubing from "somewhere" I presume that you can come with more.

Thank you jones, I now have a picture of her having tubing all through the house to a window (if you do end up doing this please take a picture, it would be great!). I am not sure I would agree this is necessarily "easier" than just using a bucket. I do agree the concept is solid.

I also don't see any reason why the soda bottle would not work. It is no different than most gravel vacs where the basic concept is : Big cylinder connects to small cylinder that is really long, add suction/vacuum (regardless of how it is created ) and a place for all the water to go and walla: End product.

You get points for creativity Have you used this product and does it, in fact, work?

pokefan: I just would like it to be known that I was not attempting to "bash" anyones fish keeping. I was pointing out that, to me, it is not any big deal to suck start a siphon. If done well no water would get in your mouth at all and that if it did I would not be concerned. I am certainly NOT saying that she has to do this by any means. I know there are many others who would stand next to her going "OMG you want me to do WHAT?" I bet there are things she is willing to do that I am not